Scars before his crown

Chapter Three

Sasha frowned and was about to speak, but Larry interrupted. He threw an arm around her shoulders and kissed her cheek. 

"Don't worry about talking too much, Sasha. I’ve got this," he said confidently.

Sasha smiled and nodded. Larry stepped forward and faced Lewis with a sharp tone.

“Lewis Reynolds, I didn’t quite hear you. Say it again,” Larry demanded.

Lewis sneered. “Ask her yourself. I’m not wasting my breath.”

Larry’s brows tightened in Anitaoyance. “Fine, forget it. You want your $500 back that you gave her?”

Lewis shot back, clearly irritated, “You heard me the first time—why ask again?”

Larry was losing patience, but he stayed calm. "You say she owes you. First of all, are you a loan agent? And second, do you have any proof that Sasha actually owes you?"

"Mind your business. Who even are you, and what do you know? Were you there when she asked for the money? Why are you butting in? Isn’t your job just to act like some spoiled rich kid and flirt?" Lewis snapped.

Larry’s anger boiled. He grabbed Lewis by the collar and growled, “Watch your mouth! You don’t talk to me like that. And in case you’ve forgotten, I’ve even given you some money before—just so you wouldn’t go broke.” He let out a cold laugh.

Lewis's hand shot out, grabbing Larry’s collar in return. “You’re nobody. You had no right to touch me. And that money? It was for an errand, not some charity from you.”

Lewis’s eyes narrowed, his voice low and tense. “You’re pushing your luck, lewis. You’ve got no idea who you’re messing with.”

Lewis shot back, his voice firm. "I don’t care who you think you are. You can’t scare me."

Larry let out a cold, mocking laugh. "You're completely out of your league. Just a broke little boy pretending to be a man.”

Lewis's jaw tightened as he snapped back, "At least I’m not living off my parents. If I had rich parents like you, would you even dare say all this nonsense to my face?"

Larry smirked cruelly. "No wonder you turned out this way, Lewis. Who even knows your parents? They’re probably just as useless as you."

The crowd burst into laughter after hearing what Larry said.

Lewis's face twisted with anger. The words had struck a nerve. Unable to hold back, he suddenly lunged at Larry, fists swinging wildly.

Bang!"

The boys rushed to hold Lewis back, but something had changed in him. Larry's insult hit too hard. In a fast and unanticipated move, Lewis broke free from their grip.

Slap!"

His hand landed with a loud slap on Larry’s face. The crowd fell silent, shocked by the sudden hit.

The room was dead quiet—then someone blurted out, “Yo, did you see that? Lewis just slapped Larry!”

“No way he actually did that.”

“Lewis’s lost it—he’s done.”

“He’s gonna regret it. Larry's not letting that slide.”

"Somebody better stop this before it gets outta hand.”

“He’s gonna pay for coming at Lerry like that.”

“I’ve never seen Lewis like this. What the hell’s gotten into him?”

This time, the guys grabbed Lewis and held him tight—he wasn’t going anywhere. Larry’s face twisted into a crooked grin.

“Nice, nice. Look at this—seems like the guy’s got some guts now. The same guy I used to send on errands. I won’t do anything to you… yet. But trust me, you’ll regret this. For now, though, I’m gonna make a proposal in front of Sasha while you watch. Just so you know, I’m always one step ahead.”

Larry turned to Sasha, taking a step closer, his voice filled with confidence.

"Sasha, I’ve got a question for you. Will you be my girlfriend? I can give you a life of luxury, all the happiness you deserve."

Lewis stared at Sasha, his heart racing and pounding in his chest, waiting. He already knew what she’d say—but he needed to hear it with his own ears.

Sasha looked at Lewis for a split second, a faint smile tugging at her lips. Then she turned to Larry, smiled wider, and said, “Yes, Larry. I’ll be your girlfriend.”

“Damn,” Lewis muttered, like he’d just been stabbed in the chest.

Larry’s face lit up. Without thinking twice, he leaned in and kissed Sasha, sealing their new thing. The crowd went wild—cheers, clapping, grins flashing teeth to teeth.

The guys let go of Lewis, and he staggered a bit before finding his footing.

Larry walked up to him, that smug smirk visible on his face.

“Well, Lewis, had your little moment, huh? But let’s be real—you’re just a pawn. No matter how hard you try, I’ll always be one step ahead.”

Larry looked over his shoulder at Sasha, his arm hanging around her as she was already his.

“Some people are just made to win,” he said. “Too bad you’ll never get it.”

Lewis stared at Sasha, pain and betrayal etched across his face.

“You really picked him? Just ‘cause he’s got money?” His voice cracked. “I thought you were better than this.”

Sasha looked him dead in the eye, a cold, mocking smile on her lips.

“Well, Lewis, maybe you should try making some money. That’s how the world works, isn’t it?”

A fire sparked in Lewis’s eyes. “Of course, I’ll make money. So much money, you’ll regret ever doubting me.”

Sasha laughed, and the crowd quickly joined in, mocking him.

“You think this is some rags-to-riches fairy tale?” she scoffed. “What’s it gonna be? ‘Lewis, the poor student who became a billionaire’? Or maybe ‘Rise of the Campus Billionaire’? Get real, Lewis. This is life, not some daydream.”

Lewis nodded. “You’re right, maybe it only happens in movies and books by that famous author Daniel Solo. But trust me, my success will be bigger than any rags-to-riches story you've ever seen or read.”

With that, he turned and walked off.