Chapter 1

Maverick Douglas was a diligent and resilient student in the city of Aranca.

Even though he received a monthly allowance from his parents for living expenses, Maverick still worked part-time at a cafe in Aranca to sustain himself and live independently.

Maverick was accustomed to the disciplined routine he had lived all his life. Unbeknownst to others, he felt proud to be an independent and disciplined individual.

However, his “working-class” lifestyle made him being scorned on his campus. He was bullied daily whenever and wherever he went.

It’s a given since most of the students were wealthy kids who found Maverick's life disgusting.

As if that wasn't enough, there was another thing that worsened how his friends thought about him; his feelings for Tania Araseva, the most beautiful flower, who was the dream of many men on his campus.

For Tania, Maverick was willing to sacrifice the money he earned from his part-time job and the allowance from his parents, even though he knew he was just being used, like other men. Perhaps, if he wasn't so infatuated with Tania, his daily life would be easier. But that's how difficult the heart is to control.

At the Flower Cafe, Maverick and Tania sat side by side, enjoying a romantic evening. Tania, the woman Maverick admired, was known for her obsession with a man's appearance and wealth.

In the warmth of the atmosphere, Maverick suddenly knelt in front of Tania with a bouquet he had hidden behind his back.

"Tania, I've liked you for a long time. Will you be my girlfriend?" he said hopefully. However, to Maverick's surprise, Tania rolled her eyes lazily, disappointing Maverick's hopes.

"I think you misunderstand, Maverick," she replied coldly. "I agree to go out with you only out of appreciation for your kindness, but I've never liked you!"

Tania's words cut deep into Maverick's heart. Maverick's face changed, filled with deep disappointment due to the rejection by the woman he loved.

Tania paused for a moment before continuing cruelly, "I could never like a man who has nothing! So... don't expect too much from me!"

Like being struck by lightning, Maverick's heart shattered and utterly broken. He didn't expect Tania to utter such hurtful words. Maverick hung his head low, feeling his world collapse.

After expressing his feelings, Tania got up and walked towards a luxurious Audi car that had been waiting for her since earlier.

Maverick, who couldn't accept being left like that, shouted, "Tania! I'll try harder to please you, I promise!"

The owner of the car, a handsome man with a sneering look, embraced Tania's waist and sweetly said, "You are the best, Darling," then looked at Maverick with disdain, "Hey, loser! Do you think you deserve a woman as beautiful as Tania Araseva? A man like you doesn't deserve her at all!"

Maverick pleaded with his eyes to Tania, but she turned her face away. Maverick's heart stabbed witnessing that.

All his sacrifices for Tania seemed in vain. He had bought various luxury items to pamper Tania like other women. He even endured eating bread for a week just to buy her the latest cellphone.

Maverick did all this because he thought Tania also loved him, considering how she always acted affectionately towards him.

But it turned out, he was only being used. Tania left with another man in his luxury Audi, leaving Maverick without any remorse in the slightest.

Maverick could only grit his teeth, his heart shattered. Some waiters who witnessed the whole ordeal began to speak behind him, commenting on Maverick's unfortunate turn of fate.

"Look at that guy, he just got dumped," said one of the waiters.

"Poor thing rejected in such a way, I wish he wouldn’t kill himself afterward," another waiter chimed in.

"You're right, his heart must be broken!" The third waiter added.

They whispered while watching Maverick bow down in disappointment, further adding a cup of salt to his wounded heart.

Maverick stared at the sky with sorrow, cursing inwardly. "God, if you existed, please change my fate and I’ll show them who’s the boss in this city!"

As if Maverick’s prayer was heard by God, the sky flashed, followed by a booming noise of thunder.

“W-what was that?!”

Maverick, however, was oblivious. He thought it was just a weather anomaly.

After a while, he was slightly calmer, Maverick got up and approached the cashier to pay for his order. "How much is everything?" he asked.

"Two juices, so that's eight dollars," replied the cashier.

Maverick then paid via P****l. "I've transferred it."

Suddenly, a robotic voice resounded in his mind,

[Congratulations! You have spent 8 dollars and will receive a 200% cashback of 16 dollars. The money has been sent to your account.]

Maverick pondered for a moment, trying to process what he had just heard. As he was still stunned by the robot's voices in his mind, his phone rang aloud.

Maverick flicked his phone’s screen and found a peculiar message.

[Account xxxxxxxx99 has transferred $16. Your current balance is $108.]

Maverick, lost in his joy, didn't notice his surroundings. The Flower Cafe cashier addressed him, "Sir, here's your coffee!" while handing him the juice.

Maverick snapped out of it and replied with a gleeful face, "Just take it, consider it my treat to you all!" He then left the cafe with a smile on his face, like a madman walking along the roadside.

One of the cafe waiters approached the cashier, "He seems to have gone mad, all because of being rejected by a woman just now."

"I think so too, and what's this for?" the cashier asked the waiter.

"Let's just share it with our friends, besides, he already paid for it, right?" said the cafe waiter.

The cashier nodded in agreement to share the coffee cups that Maverick had bought. They shook their heads seeing Maverick behaving strangely after being rejected by Tania.

The cafe waiter and cashier thought that Maverick was crazy, but they didn't know the young man who they thought was crazy would become the richest person in Aranca City.