My Great Fortune System

Payback

Jayden West

Gray hadn't heard that name in years. He'd tried to forget it, actually. But some names stick to you like scars, and Jayden's was one of them.

Jayden came from one of the big families in the city. Even back in high school, everyone knew who he was. The expensive clothes, the sports car his parents bought him for his birthday. The way teachers smiled at him differently, careful not to upset someone whose family donated to the school.

And Jayden had made Gray's life absolute hell.

He never missed a chance to humiliate him. Every single day was a new reminder that Gray was nothing and Nathan was everything.

Now here he was again, standing beside their table with that same smug smile plastered across his face.

"Well, I'll be damned." Jayden's eyes swept over Gray from head to toe, taking in his plain shirt and bargain jeans. "I didn't expect to see you in a place like this. This restaurant has standards, you know."

Two guys stood behind Jayden, both former classmates who used to laugh at whatever cruel joke he told. They were already snickering now.

"He probably followed some rich person inside," one whispered, loud enough that the whole section could hear.

"Maybe he's washing dishes in the back and they felt sorry for him," the other added with a laugh.

Gray's hands clenched into fists under the table. His nails bit into his palms. He wanted to stand up, to shout, to wipe that arrogant smile off Jayden's face. But Lily was sitting right beside him, small and confused, and he couldn't lose control in front of her.

He took a deep breath and slowly exhaled. He was not going to entertain these bullies. Not here, and especially not in front of his little sister.

A notification flashed in his vision.

[Ding!]

[Mission: Do Not Let The Bullies Get to You.]

[Objective: Stand your ground and do not back down to verbal insults. Serve payback and have the final laugh.]

[Reward: +1 Influence | Unlock: Giga Confidence (Passive)]

[Giga Confidence (Passive): You are no longer easily shaken by insults, mockery, or pressure. Instead, you find them amusing.]

A new mission. Gray's eyes narrowed slightly as the screen faded. The words stayed burned into his mind.

Fine. He hadn't planned on fighting back, but if the system wanted him to stand his ground, then who was he to refuse?

Jayden laughed when he saw Gray just staring into space. "Look at him, he's already broken. Still as pathetic as ever."

"Relax, Gray. I'll be nice today." Jayden's voice dripped with mock kindness. "I know you're eating already, but that's such a sad little meal. Order whatever you want. It's on me. Consider it charity from someone who actually made something of his life, unlike you who's still dirt poor."

That's when Jayden noticed Lily sitting beside Gray. His smile widened.

"And who's this?" His voice filled with exaggerated surprise. "Is this your sister? Hmm, she's kind of cute, but that dress..." He made a show of looking her up and down. "Wow. Is that vintage from a garbage bin?"

His friends exploded into laughter.

"Maybe he borrowed it from a charity box," one of them added between wheezes.

Gray's fingers curled tighter under the table. His jaw clenched so hard his teeth ached. Heat flooded through his chest and crawled up his neck.

He could handle them mocking him. He'd dealt with that for years. But Lily? She shrank beside him, her small body pressing against his arm. She looked nervous, scared even. She didn't fully understand what was happening, but even at ten years old she could tell people were making fun of her.

Gray took another slow breath. His heart hammered against his ribs. He couldn't let this continue.

"Jayden." Gray's voice came out calm, a smile slowly forming at the corner of his lips. "Thank you for the treat. You are too kind."

Jayden blinked. His smile faltered for just a second. He'd clearly expected Gray to snap, to argue, to give him a show. Instead, Gray was just sitting there looking almost grateful.

Jayden's disappointment showed on his face for a brief moment before he covered it with a scoff. "Tsk. I was expecting more fight from you. This is no fun."

But he'd already offered to pay, and backing out now would make him look cheap. "Yeah, enjoy it while it lasts." The mockery in his voice was thick.

He waved his hand dismissively. "Come on, boys. Let's leave these two before they ruin our appetite."

Jayden and his friends walked to a corner table that had better lighting and cushioned chairs. Their laughter echoed across the restaurant, loud and obnoxious.

Gray stayed quiet, watching them from the corner of his vision. His hands slowly unclenched. His breathing evened out.

He should probably be proud of himself for staying calm. For not yelling or throwing a punch like he wanted to. But he didn't need to do any of that.

He had something better.

Gray leaned back in his seat, the smile now spread across his face. An idea just hit him.

He caught the attention of their waitress, who'd been hovering nearby after the commotion. "Excuse me."

The waitress approached cautiously. "Yes, sir?"

"You heard what they said earlier, right? About paying for our meal?"

"Yes, sir." She nodded.

"Good." Gray's smile widened. "Then I'd like to order something else."

The waitress pulled out her notepad. "What would you like?"

"Everything on the menu. Two of each item. And pack it all to go, please."

The waitress froze. Her pen hovered over the paper. "I'm sorry, everything?"

"Everything." Gray nodded. "Every single item on your menu. Two orders of each. Make sure it's packed properly. And just so we're clear, those three gentlemen over there are paying for it. They insisted, actually."

The waitress's eyes went wide. She glanced over at Jayden's table, then back at Gray. "Sir, that's going to be..."

"Expensive? I know." Gray's voice was perfectly pleasant. "But don't worry about it. They can afford it. Trust me. And if they complain, remind them they offered to pay for whatever I wanted."

The waitress hesitated for just a moment, then seemed to make up her mind. A small smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. "Right away, sir. It'll take about thirty minutes to prepare everything."

"That's fine. We'll wait."

As the waitress hurried off toward the kitchen, Lily tugged on Gray's sleeve. "Brother? What are we going to do with all that food?"

Gray looked down at his sister and ruffled her hair. "We're going to feed some people today, Lily."

"Feed people?"

"Yeah. There's a shelter not too far from here. They'll appreciate a good meal."

Lily's face brightened. "Really? That's nice, brother!"

Gray chuckled and pulled out his phone, already imagining Jayden's face when the bill arrived. The total was going to be astronomical. Everything on the menu, twice over. Appetizers, desserts.

He couldn't wait to see Jayden's reaction.