THE SECRET BEHIND THE NERDY MAN

3

The Winslow family’s living room turned icy, as if it had become a battlefield. Only anger and bitterness radiated from the guest’s eyes. Dean Donovan sat calmly in the chair across from them, a thin smile playing on his lips, his gaze sharp and calculating.

“I still can’t wrap my head around it,” Dean said as he fiddled with his watch, his tone light but cutting. “The heir of a family as big as the Winslows… beaten black and blue over some college girl. Embarrassing, isn’t it?”

Helena shot to her feet, her face tense. “Dean, that’s enough! You’ve gone too far—”

“Helena,” Leonard cut her off swiftly, his voice cold and sharp, “let me handle this.”

Kai sat on the long sofa, his body still aching, his face bruised and swollen. He said nothing, simply keeping his head lowered, letting the conversation swirl around him.

Dean chuckled softly before continuing. “You know, Uncle? The family’s stock is already wavering ever since that little gossip spread. And it hasn’t even been an hour! Some kids at campus filmed Kai being rejected in public, and the video is everywhere now. Investors are starting to doubt—if your son can’t even protect his own dignity, how’s he supposed to protect the family business?”

The air grew heavy. Leonard clenched his fist against the table. “Watch your mouth, Dean. Don’t think I don’t know what you’ve been doing behind the scenes.”

Dean shrugged, feigning innocence. “I’m only stating facts, Uncle. And here’s another fact… people out there trust my moves more. They say I’d make a far better successor than Kai. Besides, I already warned you not to recklessly teach this weakling about the family’s hidden identity. He’s just not sharp enough, Uncle.”

Helena gasped, her eyes widening. “You’re insane! Kai is the only heir! Don’t you dare speak so carelessly!”

Kai slowly lifted his head. His face was cold, but his eyes glinted dangerously. “Let him, Mom. I want to see just how far he’ll go.”

Dean smirked. “Finally, Kai speaks. I thought you’d keep hiding behind that blank stare of yours.” He leaned forward, his voice lowering but his words sharper. “Think about it. You’ve been living like some ordinary student, working part-time at a cheap café, ridiculed as the loser on campus. Meanwhile, I’ve been learning how to control markets, how to play politics in boardrooms. I’ve been preparing myself to inherit. And you? You’ve been preparing your face to be laughed at.”

“Are you done?” Kai asked, his voice calm—almost too calm.

Dean paused for a second, a little taken aback, before giving a short laugh. “So you do have some bite. But words won’t change the truth.”

Leonard slammed his hand on the table, the sound cracking through the room. Everyone fell silent. “Dean! Don’t forget your place. You’re a guest in this house.”

Dean turned to his uncle with a mocking smile. “Yes, a guest. But a guest who might soon be respected more by the investors than the host himself.”

Helena nearly broke into tears, trembling with anger, while Kai stared straight at Dean. Then, in a flat tone, he said, “If you think you’re more worthy, then prove it. But don’t expect me to hand anything over to you.”

Silence. Kai’s words shifted the entire atmosphere, making the room unbearably heavy.

Dean tilted his head, eyes glinting with scorn. “Good. I like it. Finally, a bit of fire in the veins of this pathetic boy.” He rose from his seat. “But I think we should talk privately. There’s something a little more… personal.”

Leonard moved to object, but Kai cut in first. “Fine. I don’t mind.”

---

They stepped out of the living room, heading for the wide balcony on the second floor. The New York night air was sharp against their skin, the city lights blazing beneath them. Kai leaned against the railing, while Dean lit a cigarette beside him.

“Catherine.” Dean dropped the name casually, and Kai snapped his head toward him.

Dean smirked, exhaling smoke. “Ah, so that’s still an open wound. I thought maybe you’d gone numb.”

“What do you want?” Kai’s voice was flat.

Dean leaned closer, lowering his voice, each word striking like a blade. “You think Catherine’s just some ordinary girl? No. She’s been part of the game for a long time. And guess who’s been behind it all?”

Kai’s brow furrowed. “Don’t you dare drag her into your schemes.”

Dean chuckled. “My schemes? Kai, the world is filthier than you imagine. Catherine was the first woman I ever fell for. And you think I’d just sit back and watch her with you? That closeness she built with you—you really thought it was genuine? She was buying time, Kai. Time to destroy you, to make you look like a clown in front of everyone.”

Kai clenched his fists so tightly his nails dug into his palms. “Whatever she is, she has nothing to do with our family’s war.”

“Tch.” Dean locked eyes with him, unblinking. “You really think so? Do you even know who her new boyfriend is? Everything’s part of the plan. And now, the world believes you’re a loser. Meanwhile me? All I have to do is step in and show them Donovan is the better choice over Winslow.”

Kai’s breath came faster, though his face remained composed.

Dean clapped him on the shoulder, grinning cruelly. “You should be thanking Catherine. Without her, I wouldn’t have had the chance to bring you down so fast.”

Kai turned, his eyes sharper than Dean had ever seen. “If everything you’ve said is true… then I’ll make sure you regret ever touching my life.”

Dean froze for half a second, then burst into laughter. “At last! That’s the Kai I want to see. But remember this: threats mean nothing without power.”

Kai stepped away, gazing out over the glittering city. His voice was low, but filled with iron resolve. “Power can be learned. But my dignity… will never be surrendered again.”

Dean was silent for a moment, then crushed his cigarette against the railing. His smile was faint, but his eyes blazed. “Alright, Kai. The game has just begun. Let’s see if you can survive.”

Kai gave no reply. The night wind howled around them, carrying a silence heavy with tension.