2025-04-11 18:15:53Nancy skidded to a stop in front of them, her breath coming fast. “Wait… what?” She looked them over, confused. “You guys are out? Just like that?”
James and Andrew exchanged glances, still unsure how to process what had just happened themselves.
“I thought you were in trouble,” Nancy continued. “I was literally on my way to help. The whole thing was on Tyler’s livestream. What happened?”
Jackson took control before anyone could blurt out too much. “We were allowed to pay for what we could afford.”
Nancy’s brows furrowed. “That doesn’t sound like Julian.”
He shrugged. “It’s done now.”
She exhaled, shaking her head, then turned to Jackson with an apologetic look. “I’m really sorry for what happened back there. I should have been there sooner.”
Jackson gave her a small smile. “It’s not your fault.”
“Well, I can at least make sure that salesgirl gets fired,” Nancy said firmly. “The manager’s a close friend of my mom. She’ll handle it.”
Jackson said nothing, but deep down, he didn’t care what happened to Julian anymore. The whole ordeal was already behind him.
Then, Nancy changed the topic. “Listen, I invited someone to Tyler’s party tonight. She’s a friend of mine, and I want you to meet her.”
Jackson raised a brow. “Why?”
Nancy hesitated before saying, “Because you deserve better after what Emily did to you.”
Jackson sighed. He had zero interest in Tyler’s party, much less in meeting some random girl. He had planned to avoid the scene altogether. But then Nancy added, “It’s also my birthday.”
His eyes widened slightly.
Damn.
He had completely forgotten.
Now, skipping out wasn’t an option.
Nancy smiled, sensing his hesitation. “Don’t worry, you don’t have to pretend to be excited about the party. Just come for me, okay?”
Jackson nodded. “Yeah… I’ll be there.”
As they walked back to campus, Jackson’s mind was elsewhere. He needed a gift.
Nancy had always been one of his closest friends, someone who genuinely looked out for him. She deserved something special.
So he called Mr. Copper.
By the time he arrived at the venue, a delivery guy was waiting for him.
A Birkin bag.
Worth $75,000.
Ultra-rare. Ultra-exclusive. Ultra-coveted.
Only 999 were made each year—the kind of item that people waited years to own. A true status symbol.
But Jackson had connections.
Still, he had no time for the extravagant packaging, so he stuffed the bag into a simple black nylon sack and headed inside.
Inside the lounge...
Nancy was seated comfortably, surrounded by her close friends. Beside her sat Claire Staunch—a certified school goddess, beyond beautiful, and from a wealthy background.
Claire was everything Nancy had described—tall, elegant, and effortlessly sophisticated. She had the aura of someone born into money, someone used to the finer things in life.
The girls had been friends since childhood, inseparable through every phase of life. Tonight, Claire had joined Nancy’s party with some of her dormitory friends, and though it was Tyler’s event, this was Nancy’s night too.
She had made sure Claire came for one reason—to meet Jackson.
Meanwhile, a familiar unwanted presence entered the lounge.
Jonah.
Nancy’s face hardened the moment she saw him.
Jonah, one of Tyler’s closest friends, had been part of the humiliation Jackson suffered on his birthday. Once upon a time, he and Nancy had been close—friends since high school. But when Jonah’s behavior turned toxic, she cut ties with him.
And after what he did to Jackson? She had nothing to say to him.
Jonah approached with his usual arrogance, but this time, there was an attempt at humility in his voice.
“Nancy,” he started, flashing a practiced smile. “Are you still mad at me because of what happened with Jackson last night? Who would have thought he would meet his girlfriend and Tyler in such position?”
“Shut up, Jonah.”
Her words were ice.
Jonah winced but chuckled, trying to brush it off.
Claire, watching the exchange, turned to Nancy. “Who is he?”
Before Nancy could answer, Jonah took the chance to introduce himself to Claire instead.
He straightened his posture, flashing a grin that screamed confidence. “Jonah. And you must be Claire.”
Claire gave him a polite nod. “Nice to meet you.”
Jonah’s smile widened. He had wanted Claire for a long time—she was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen. Tonight was his chance.
Jonah wanted to use his apologize to Nancy as an opportunity to meet with Claire when he heard she was around.
She glanced at Nancy. “Is he the Jackson you wanted to introduce me to?”
Nancy’s expression turned disgusted.
Jonah? Jackson?
The insult.
Jonah laughed, seizing the opportunity to speak first. “Nah, Jackson’s my classmate. A broke dude we made fun of last night.”
Nancy’s temper flared.
“Jonah, shut up,” she snapped.
Jonah held up his hands in mock surrender. “Relax. I won’t say anything else.”
But the damage was done.
Claire’s expression shifted.
She had been curious about this Jackson guy. But now?
Her excitement disappeared.
If Jonah’s words were true—if Jackson was just some pauper—then she had no interest in him at all.
Her eyes lowered in disappointment.
Just then—
Jackson walked in.
His friends rushed to greet him, and Nancy instantly hugged him, excited that he came.
Jackson smiled, embracing the warm welcome.
Then, his gaze landed on Jonah.
Jonah was already smirking, arms crossed, watching him like a predator eyeing weak prey.
If Jackson had walked in wearing a designer suit, Jonah would have acted differently. But Jackson?
Wearing cheap clothes.
Carrying a black nylon bag.
Jonah was disgusted.
Claire also looked up at Jackson.
She had wanted a boyfriend, but if Jackson wasn’t rich, then… what was the point?
She studied his outfit.
Nothing expensive.
Nothing impressive.
She sighed internally.
Meanwhile, Nancy was beaming.
“Jackson, this is Claire! Claire, this is my friend, Jackson.”
Nancy introduced both of them with a smile on her face.
Previous Chapter
Latest Chapter
Chapter 600: Reflections And Memories!
Copper's brow furrowed. "Frame him?"Whitaker held up the passport. "Think about it. Why would Jerry leave his wallet behind? He's too smart to make a mistake like that. He's been in security for years. He knows better than to leave evidence at a crime scene."Copper considered this, his expression thoughtful. "So someone planted it. Someone who wanted us to find it.""Or someone who wanted us to waste time chasing a ghost while they moved Philip somewhere else," Whitaker said.Copper's jaw tightened. "Either way, we need to find Jerry. Talk to him. Find out what he knows."Whitaker nodded, slipping the wallet into his evidence bag. "I'll put a team on it. Track down his family, his last known address. See if anyone's heard from him."They walked back to the car, the weight of the mystery pressing down on them."If he's innocent," Copper said quietly, "someone's going to great lengths to make him look guilty."Whitaker opened the driver's side door. "Then we need to find out who. And
Chapter 599: Jerry Hass Is Back!
Evans was now sitting on the edge of a cot in the medical bay, his shirt removed, his chest already blooming with purple and black bruises where the bullet had struck."Your vest saved your life," Lorraine said, her voice tight. "But you've got at least two cracked ribs and severe bruising. You need rest. You need to stay off your feet."Evans shook his head, wincing at the movement. "I can't rest, Lorraine. Philip is out there. Every hour we waste, he could be—""Could be dead if you push yourself too hard," Lorraine interrupted, her eyes flashing. "You're no good to anyone if you collapse."Evans met her gaze, his jaw tight. "I've had worse."Lorraine sighed, pressing a cold pack to his ribs. "I know. That's what scares me."Jackson stood in the doorway, his phone in his hand. "Whitaker is tracking the sedan. We'll find them."Evans nodded slowly. "I'm going with him."Jackson opened his mouth to argue, then closed it. He knew that look in Evans's eyes—the same look he himself wore
Chapter 598: You Could Have Been Killed!
Two police officers arrived at Clara's hospital room within the hour—a middle-aged woman with kind eyes and a young man with a notepad. Clara sat up in her bed, her hands trembling, her voice hoarse from crying."Mrs. Lahm, I'm Officer Daniels, and this is Officer Reeves," the woman said gently. "We understand your son is missing. Can you tell us everything you remember?"Clara nodded, wiping her eyes. "Philip. He's seventeen. He went to get me noodles from the shop on Fifth and Main. That was around seven o'clock. He should have been back by eight. It's almost midnight now."Officer Reeves scribbled notes. "Does Philip have any friends he might have visited? Any places he likes to go?"Clara shook her head. "No. He's a good boy. He doesn't party. He doesn't stay out late. He comes straight back. He always comes straight back.""Do you know of anyone who might want to harm him?" Officer Daniels asked.Clara's face went pale. "No. Everyone loves Philip. He's kind, he's helpful, he's—"
Chapter 597: A Missing Person!
Consciousness returned slowly, like swimming up through dark water. Philip's head throbbed with a dull, insistent pain, and his mouth tasted of copper and chemicals. He tried to move, but his wrists wouldn't budge. Rope, coarse and tight, bit into his skin.He opened his eyes.A single light bulb hung above, casting harsh shadows on concrete walls. The room was small, windowless, with a heavy metal door that looked like it belonged on a bunker. The floor was cold beneath him—bare concrete, stained with years of neglect.Philip's heart pounded. He pulled at the ropes, but they held fast."Hey."The voice came from somewhere to his left, soft but clear. Philip turned his head, wincing at the pain that shot through his neck.A woman sat in the corner of the room, her wrists bound like his, her ankles tethered to a metal ring bolted to the floor. She was thin, pale, with dark circles under her eyes, but her gaze was steady. She looked like she had been here for a long time."Who are you?"
Chapter 596: Just Let Me Go!
Linda's brow furrowed. "That's not an answer.""It is an answer." Peniel set down the phone, finally turning to face her. "The international observers don't speculate. They don't deal in rumors or myths. If they say the veil is tearing, then the veil is tearing. If they say ancient beings are trying to cross over, then ancient beings are trying to cross over."Linda's face paled. "You believe them."Peniel nodded slowly. "I have to. Because if they're wrong, then I've wasted years building connections with people who deal in fairy tales. And if they're right..." He trailed off, unable to finish."Then we have nowhere to run," Linda finished for him.Peniel was silent for a long moment. The flicker of the fluorescent bulbs cast dancing shadows on the walls, making the warehouse feel like a cage."There's always somewhere to run," he said finally. "The question is whether it's worth it."Linda stood, pulling him to his feet. "Then let's go. Now. Before the mercenaries do something we ca
Chapter 595: Return Of The International Observers!
The warehouse on the outskirts of the city was dark, lit only by a few flickering fluorescent bulbs overhead. Crates and pallets were stacked against the walls, their contents obscured by dust and shadows. In the center of the space, a makeshift meeting area had been arranged—a table, several chairs, and a single lamp casting a pool of light on the worn concrete floor.Peniel sat at the table, his arm bandaged from where one of the CIA's bullet had grazed him. Linda sat beside him, her hands clasped in her lap, her face pale, her eyes darting nervously toward the shadows. Across from them sat three figures—Dmitry, Aziel, and Zhang, the three international observers.They had left the city six months ago, scattering to different corners of the globe, but Peniel had kept in contact. Now, he needed them."Thank you for coming," Peniel began.Dmitry held up a hand. "Save your thanks. We didn't come out of friendship. We came because the situation has become... complicated."Peniel's eyes
You may also like
The Return Of The God of War
Esther Writes379.1K viewsFrom Darkness to Light: Darwin's Rise
Magical Inspirations76.3K viewsRise Of The Sole Heir
Estypen79.5K viewsFrom Prison To Power
Rex Magnus70.4K viewsRise to Power: The Miraculous Liam Regan.
Vicky371 viewsThe Hidden King Of Northwood University
NotYourTypicalWriter971 viewsThe Generals Missile
Renglassi139 viewsTHE LEGEND OF LUCAS JORDAN: DEVIL OF THE DISTRICT
Kal Royalty341 views