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Beyond the Bottom Strengthening Ties
Chapter 44The late afternoon sun cast a golden glow over the neighborhood as Leah walked into the cafe where Jamal, Zoe, and Rachel were waiting. This wasn’t her first time with the group. Over the past few months, she had become an integral part of their circle—sharp-witted, resourceful, and loyal.“Finally!” Rachel exclaimed, waving her over. “We thought you’d bailed on us.”“Traffic,” Leah replied, rolling her eyes as she dropped her bag onto an empty chair. “And some old lady in the grocery store line decided to pay with coins. Fun times.”Jamal laughed. “Classic Leah. Always a story.”Leah grinned. “What can I say? Life keeps me entertained.”Zoe slid a menu toward her. “Grab something. We’re just getting started.”The group had gathered to discuss the next steps for SkillBridge, a project that had brought them together and tested their collective grit. Jamal had the vision, but it was the combined effort of everyone—Zoe’s organizational genius, Rachel’s creative spark, Leah’s k
Beyond the Bottom Unseen Tensions
Chapter 45The morning bell rang through Lincoln High’s halls, signaling the start of another hectic day. Jamal stepped into the crowded hallway, his mind already racing with thoughts of SkillBridge and how to expand the mentorship program. He had a lot on his plate, but he couldn’t let his focus slip—not with Marcus still out there, lurking in the background.Zoe was waiting for him at their usual spot by the lockers. She gave him a quick nod when she saw him. “Got a minute?”“Always,” Jamal said, slipping his backpack off his shoulder and leaning against the locker beside hers.Zoe hesitated for a moment before speaking. “I’ve been thinking about the mentorship program. We’re getting a lot of interest from other schools, but we need to make sure we’re prepared for any potential roadblocks. Like, from people who don’t want to see us succeed.”Jamal’s eyes narrowed. “You mean Marcus.”Zoe didn’t need to say anything else. She knew that Marcus’s grudge against Jamal was personal, and i
Beyond the Bottom Strenght In The Numbers
Chapter 46 The tension in the air was palpable as Jamal and his friends gathered at the usual meeting spot after school. SkillBridge’s presentation for the city fair was just days away, and with each passing moment, Jamal felt the weight of responsibility pressing down on him. The pressure wasn’t just from the competition; it was the looming threat of Marcus, who was still out there, waiting for the right moment to strike. Jamal walked into the small café where his team was already seated, his mind racing with all the things they still needed to finalize. Rachel, Alex, and Zoe were all hunched over their laptops, going through the final touches of their business pitch. As Jamal slid into his seat, Zoe looked up and gave him a reassuring smile. “You ready for this?” she asked, her voice steady, though her eyes showed a hint of nervousness. “Yeah, as ready as I’ll ever be,” Jamal replied, running a hand through his hair. “But we can’t afford any mistakes. We’ve got one shot at th
Beyond the Bottom Step Closer
Chapter 47The days were flying by, each one seeming to blend into the next as Jamal and his team worked tirelessly to perfect their presentation for SkillBridge. The city fair was fast approaching, and the weight of the competition loomed large over their heads. But despite the pressure, Jamal felt something shift inside him—an energy that hadn’t been there before. It wasn’t just the fear of losing; it was the excitement of finally being so close to something they had worked so hard for.But there was still one problem—Marcus. Jamal couldn’t shake the feeling that Marcus was waiting for the perfect moment to make his move. He hadn’t done anything outright yet, but Jamal knew better than to assume the worst was behind him.It was mid-afternoon when Jamal met up with his team at their usual café. The place had become their second home over the past few weeks, a place where they could focus on their project and escape from the pressure of the outside world for a little while.Jamal was
Beyond the Bottom Tensions Arising
Chapter 48The morning dawned with a nervous energy hanging in the air. Jamal stood in front of his mirror, straightening the collar of his shirt and practicing his speech for what felt like the hundredth time. SkillBridge was just around the corner, and every moment felt like a countdown to something monumental.Downstairs, his mother was cooking breakfast, the smell of eggs and toast wafting through the house. His father sat at the table, scrolling through his phone and occasionally glancing at the news. Despite their usual routines, the air in the Davenport household felt different—more focused, more urgent.“You ready for today?” his father asked as Jamal walked into the kitchen.“As ready as I’ll ever be,” Jamal replied, grabbing a plate and sitting down.His mother turned around, wiping her hands on a towel. “Don’t stress yourself too much, Jamal. You’ve worked hard, and we’re proud of you no matter what happens.”“Thanks, Mom,” Jamal said, his voice softer. It meant a lot to he
Beyond the Bottom Shadows Lurks
Chapter 49The SkillBridge competition was over, and the team returned to the café, a mix of relief and anticipation filling the air. The judges had yet to announce the results, but Jamal and his friends felt confident in their presentation.“Honestly, I think we nailed it,” Alex said, his voice full of optimism as he leaned back in his chair.“Let’s not jinx it,” Rachel warned, though her grin suggested she agreed.Leah sat across from them, stirring her iced coffee thoughtfully. “Win or lose, you’ve all proven something to yourselves today. That’s what really matters.”“Thanks, Leah,” Jamal said, offering her a small smile. Her ability to say the right thing at the right time was something he’d come to appreciate.Zoe, ever the realist, tapped her pen on the table. “It’s not over yet, though. We’ve done our part, but the judges could still surprise us. Let’s not get too comfortable.”Jamal nodded, shifting his focus. “Zoe’s right. We celebrate after we know for sure. For now, we sti
Beyond the Bottom Turning the Page
Chapter 50With the SkillBridge competition behind them, a new chapter began for Jamal and his team. It wasn’t just about waiting for results—it was about reclaiming their lives and figuring out their next steps. The tension that had loomed over their meetings was finally beginning to lift.At their usual café, the group gathered, sipping on drinks and exchanging ideas. This time, the conversation felt lighter, filled with hope rather than worry.Rachel leaned back in her chair, grinning. “It’s strange not having to think about presentations or deadlines anymore. We might actually get to breathe for a change.”Alex chuckled. “Speak for yourself. I’m still recovering from those all-nighters.”Zoe nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. “It was worth it, though. No matter what happens, we’ve done something incredible.”Jamal listened quietly, his gaze flickering between his friends. He wanted to share their sense of relief, but the unease in his gut wouldn’t let him. Marcus’s shadow
Beyond the Bottom First Ever Workshop
Chapter 51The fallout from Marcus’s suspension was swift but not chaotic. For Jamal and his team, life finally started to stabilize. With their biggest threat neutralized, they could fully immerse themselves in their studies, their business venture, and the mentoring program Leah and Zoe spearheaded.At the school library, the group gathered again to finalize their plans for the mentoring program’s launch. The mood was lighter than it had been in months, and even Jamal’s ever-present vigilance had softened.Leah pointed to the poster she had drafted, spread across the table. “I think we’re ready for the workshop this weekend. We’ve got enough sign-ups to fill the room.”Zoe nodded, her sharp eyes scanning the list. “Twenty-five students. Not bad for our first event.”Rachel leaned back in her chair, smirking. “That’s almost half the junior class. Looks like you two are naturals at this.”Leah shrugged, grinning. “What can I say? People love a good opportunity.”---After the meeting,
Latest Chapter
A Shift in Priorities
Chapter 126The tension in Jamal’s life was reaching its peak. Balancing Skilbridge, academics, and personal life was proving to be more than he had bargained for. Every day felt like a ticking clock, each second slipping away faster than the last.The workload at Skilbridge was growing, and with every new challenge came a new obstacle. University obligations were still looming over his head, and now, there was another layer to the chaos—Rachel and Alex’s relationship was crumbling, and though they were miles apart, Jamal could feel the shift in their dynamic.Rachel sat on her dorm room bed, staring at her phone. Alex hadn’t texted her in over a day. Normally, she would have been worried, but at this point, she was just exhausted. Every conversation between them had started feeling like a chore—strained, predictable, and lacking the spark they once had.Her roommate, Melanie, glanced at her over the rim of her laptop screen. “Still waiting for him to text?”Rachel sighed. “I don’t ev
The Threat Becomes Real
Chapter 125 Jamal sat at his desk, fingers tapping rhythmically against the wooden surface. His laptop screen glowed in the dim dorm room, the anonymous email staring back at him like a silent threat. He had read it a dozen times already, trying to decipher any hidden meanings, but its message was simple and direct:You think you’ve won? This is just the beginning.He clenched his jaw. Milo was getting bolder. And now, it seemed, he wasn’t acting alone. Jamal turned to Leah, Zoe, and Ethan, who were sitting on his bed, each of them wearing matching expressions of concern.“This isn’t just some petty campus rivalry anymore,” Jamal muttered. “Milo’s taking this outside Columbus University.”Leah folded her arms. “We need to track down who sent this. If he has outside help, we’re at a disadvantage.”Zoe sighed, running a hand through her hair. “But how do we stop someone we can’t see?”Ethan leaned forward, his eyes sharp with calculation. “Maybe we don’t have to find him. Maybe we make
On the Verge of Collapse
Chapter 123 – Breaking PointJamal sat in front of his laptop, the glow from the screen highlighting the exhaustion on his face. The Skilbridge scandal was spreading faster than he anticipated. Despite their efforts, the accusations kept circulating on campus forums. It didn’t matter that there was no concrete proof—people loved a juicy controversy.Leah’s voice came through the team’s group call. “The livestream is scheduled for tomorrow. We have three professors from the tech department agreeing to watch. If we prove our originality, we kill this rumor.”Ethan exhaled. “Still, we need to be ready for anything. Milo isn’t dumb—he’ll try to discredit us again.”Zoe, who had been eerily silent, suddenly spoke. “Then we do something he won’t expect.”Jamal rubbed his temples. “Like what?”“We go bigger,” Zoe said. “We turn this livestream into a full-fledged demo day. Invite students, industry experts, hell—even potential investors. We force the narrative into something positive.”Leah
Lines Drawn
Chapter 122 Jamal sat at the far end of the library, surrounded by stacks of textbooks and notes, yet his mind refused to focus. The weight of everything pressed against his skull—Skilbridge, his slipping grades, the rumors Milo was spreading. It was too much at once, and no matter how much he tried to block it all out, the anxiety simmered just beneath the surface.Leah tapped her fingers against the table, waiting for him to say something. She had just laid out the latest problem—the false rumors about Skilbridge’s tech. Someone was trying to undermine them, and they both knew exactly who.“We need a plan,” Leah said, her voice low but firm. “If this spreads, we could lose investor confidence.”Jamal exhaled slowly, rubbing his temples. “We need proof that Milo’s behind it.”Zoe, who had been scrolling through her phone, suddenly smirked. “Or we can play smarter. If he wants to spread lies, we counter with undeniable facts. Make our work so solid that no one even considers his nons
Tipping Points
Chapter 121 – Tipping PointsThe night air outside Columbus University was crisp, but inside Jamal’s dorm, the air felt thick with stress. His desk was a mess—open textbooks, half-written assignments, and a laptop screen blinking with notifications. He tapped his pen against his notebook, staring at the calculations he needed to finish for his next class.His phone vibrated. Ethan.“Meeting in 10. Lecture Hall.”Jamal exhaled, rubbing his eyes. These late-night strategy sessions were necessary, but they were also draining. Skilbridge was growing at a pace none of them had fully prepared for, and balancing school with running a startup was proving to be more of a nightmare than he had expected.Still, there was no backing out now.He grabbed his hoodie and headed out.A Late-Night Strategy SessionThe lecture hall was mostly empty at this hour, except for Leah, Zoe, and Ethan, who were already inside, gathered around one of the large desks. Leah’s tablet was open, showing analytics, wh
Issues Brewing
Chapter 120 The office was quiet except for the soft tapping of keys. Jamal stared at the engagement report displayed on his laptop, his brows furrowed. The numbers weren’t terrible, but they weren’t great either. Skilbridge was growing, but not at the pace they had hoped. While universities were signing up, user retention was dropping. It was a frustrating plateau, one that could determine the platform’s future.Leah sat across from him, scrolling through her tablet. “We need something more compelling. The AI tutoring feature is promising, but it’s not enough. We need a hook—something that makes Skilbridge essential, not just convenient.”Zoe, who had been quiet until now, leaned forward. “What if we establish a student ambassador program? Get representatives in each school to market the platform directly to their peers. Word of mouth is still the strongest form of promotion.”Ethan, casually spinning a pen between his fingers, nodded. “That could work. Organic marketing has a bette
Cracks
Chapter 119 The weight of responsibility pressed down on everyone, stretching them thin in different ways. Jamal struggled to balance Skilbridge with university, Rachel found herself caught between ambition and love, and Alex—once the most dependable of them—had started slipping away into silence.The bonds that once felt unbreakable were now under strain.Rachel sat cross-legged on her bed, staring at her phone. Alex had been distant lately—more than usual. Their conversations, once filled with laughter and teasing, had turned into brief, one-word replies.She had assumed it was just basketball and school. But now, she wasn’t so sure.Rachel: Hey, are you okay?Minutes passed. Then ten. Then twenty.Finally, a reply came.Alex: Yeah, just busy.Rachel frowned. That was it? No reassurance, no questions about how she was?Her roommate, Ava, glanced over from her desk. "You’re staring at your phone like you’re waiting for it to explode."Rachel exhaled. "It might as well. Alex has been
Diverging Parts
Chapter 118 The weeks following Malcolm Reid’s investment felt like a whirlwind. Contracts were signed, funds were transferred, and Skilbridge began expanding faster than Jamal had anticipated. With Leah and Ethan leading different departments, they had started hiring new developers, refining their marketing strategy, and pushing for university partnerships beyond Columbus. But the real test was just beginning. Jamal sat in the office space they had rented near campus—a modest but functional place filled with whiteboards covered in code, marketing strategies, and expansion plans. It was late, and most of the team had gone home, but he was still there, staring at his laptop screen. "Still here?" Leah’s voice broke the silence. Jamal looked up to see her standing in the doorway, arms crossed, a small smirk on her face. She walked in, setting her laptop on the table beside him. "You’re one to talk," he said with a chuckle. "What’s keeping you up?" Leah sighed, taking a seat. "The
Crossroads and New Beginnings
Chapter 117 Jamal lay awake in his dorm room, staring at the ceiling. The offer from Malcolm Reid weighed heavily on his mind. Five million dollars. That was a life-changing sum, more money than he had ever imagined having access to at this stage of his life. With it came the potential to take Skilbridge from a promising startup to a nationwide brand.But was it worth giving up more control?His phone buzzed. Leah.Leah: Can’t sleep?Jamal: Nope. You?Leah: Same. We’re about to make the biggest decision of our lives.Jamal: And we can’t afford to mess it up.Leah: Let’s talk in the morning. Maybe things will be clearer.Jamal sighed and put his phone away. He hoped Leah was right.By noon, the team reconvened in the same conference room where they had first strategized against ByteEdge. The tension was palpable.Jamal exhaled, looking around the table at Leah, Ethan, Zoe, and the other key team members. "Alright. Let’s vote. Do we take Malcolm Reid’s offer?"Leah leaned forward, her
