The Hidden Trillionaire Heir of Royal Elite Academy

"I'm breaking up with you, Arthur." Mary Jane said, her words hanging in the air like a guillotine blade waiting to fall.

Arthur's jaw went slack. His lips parted, but no sound came out. His high school diploma still felt warm in his hand, fresh from the ceremony.

"You're dumping me?" He swallowed hard. "Why?"

It was the day of Arthur's high school graduation ceremony. The school's football field around them was filled with a sea of navy blue gowns, while proud parents clutched wilted bouquets and took pictures.

But here, at the edge of the field, Arthur was being dumped by his girlfriend.

Mary Jane, dressed in her own gown, stood before him with her diploma held close to her chest like a shield.

She did not meet his gaze.

"Things have changed, Arthur," she murmured quietly, sounding as though she had practiced this speech in front of a mirror.

Arthur felt a sudden dryness in his throat. He ran his tongue over his lips, trying to steady himself. “What changed? Talk to me, Mary Jane.”

At last, she met his gaze. There was something in her gaze he could not recognize.

"I was accepted into Royal Elite Academy," she responded.

Arthur felt his chest tighten.

Royal Elite Academy was no ordinary school. It was a kingdom disguised as a campus.

Built a century ago by the Five Wealthy Families, it served as the place where the children of old money, billionaires, and influential political dynasties were prepared to become society's future leaders.

Each year, fifty students from poor or middle-class backgrounds were granted full scholarships into the academy in order to maintain social balance and prestige.

Out of a thousand applicants, Mary Jane had been among the lucky ones to be picked.

"That's great news, MJ," Arthur said with a genuine smile. "Ever since we were kids, you've dreamed of studying there for college. I am proud of you."

And he truly meant it. He always wished the best for her.

Mary Jane clenched her jaw, her eyes set. "Perhaps it's best if we stop seeing each other."

The smile on Arthur's face died. "Wha–what's that supposed to mean, MJ?"

"I'm going to Royal Elite Academy, Arthur," she replied, pronouncing his name as if it left a bitter taste on her tongue. "We live in different worlds now."

Arthur looked at her, stunned.

Different worlds? They had known each other ever since they were kids. She grew up in a middle-class family, while Arthur was poor. However, they had been in love since elementary school despite their background.

And now she was ending things with him because she had been accepted into a school for the wealthy.

"Come on, Mary Jane," Arthur said as he stepped forward and reached for her hand. "Please just give me a chance. I’ll figure something out. I'll clear all my debts and figure out how to get into that Academy too. We could go together. Just give me some time."

Mary Jane slowly withdrew her hand, as if peeling off a bandage.

"You don't understand," she said sharply. "There is someone else."

Arthur felt his heart stop. Those words carried a stronger punch than the first ones.

He softly muttered, "What?"

She didn't repeat it.

"Who?" he asked quietly. "Mary Jane, who is the new guy?"

She let out a sigh, clearly annoyed. "That is not your business. But if you must know, he is the son of one of the Five wealthy Families."

Arthur felt his heart skip.

“He’s the one who made it possible for me to enroll in Royal Elite Academy,” she continued. "He pulled strings and called in favors. He even helped my dad get promoted at work—my dad's a manager now, can you believe it? He also bought a house for my mother. A house, Arthur."

Each word was like being struck by a hammer. Arthur could only stare at her in awe.

"He loves me," Mary Jane concluded, her tone icy. "And I love him too."

"No." Arthur grabbed her shoulders, his hands shaking badly as he fought back tears. "No one could love you more than I do, not even him. I have loved you ever since we were nine years old. I know how you like your coffee. I know what your favorite colors are. I know..."

With a sharp tone, Mary Jane snapped, "Stop it, Arthur. You're embarrassing yourself."

Arthur bit his lips hard. "I can't live without you, Mary Jane. Please do not do this. Please."

Mary Jane looked at him, her expression completely blank.

"Then die," she said coldly.

Something inside Arthur broke. His hands slipped from her shoulders as he felt his heart shatter into pieces.

He stood there, unable to move and think. The world around him began to blur and his mind went completely blank.

At that moment, the roar of an engine cut through the silence.

A pearl white Rolls-Royce Cullinan glided to a stop at the edge of the field. On the license plate was written Volkov.

People's heads turned as they spotted the plates. This belonged to the Volkov family, one of the five prominent Wealthy families.

A chauffeur dressed in a crisp charcoal uniform stepped out, opened the rear door, and gave a slight bow.

From the back seat, a young man leaned out.

He was beautiful in the way expensive things are beautiful. His tailored suit and watch probably cost more than Arthur's life.

He wore a perfectly cruel smile.

"Mary Jane," he called. "Let's go."

Mary Jane smiled at him like she was falling in love all over again. "Okay, darling."

Arthur was paralyzed with shock. He had never seen her smile like that before. Without sparing a final glance at Arthur, she walked toward the Rolls-Royce.

The chauffeur helped her inside, then shut the door, locking her in with the boy. The Rolls-Royce roared again and pulled away. Arthur kept his eyes on it as it disappeared around the corner.

He stood alone on the graduation field in his wrinkled gown, diploma dangling from his fingers, feeling like a complete loser. On his graduation day, he lost his childhood sweetheart to a rich boy.

That tore a bleeding wound in his heart.