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Beyond the Bottom THE Plot Thickens
CHAPTER 7Reginald and Victoria, Marcus's parents, were sitting in their opulent living room, discussing the recent developments."We need to take care of this situation," Reginald said, his voice firm and commanding. "Those kids are getting too close to the truth."Victoria nodded, her eyes narrowing. "I agree. We can't let them expose us. We've worked too hard to build our empire."Reginald's expression turned cold. "We'll take care of them. We'll make sure they don't bother us again."Victoria smiled, a calculating glint in her eye. "I have an idea. Let's invite them to a party at our mansion. We'll make it seem like a friendly gesture, but really, we'll be keeping them under our thumb."Reginald's eyes lit up with approval. "I like it. Let's do it."Marcus, who had been listening in on the conversation, smiled to himself. He had been watching Jamal, Alex, and Rachel, and he knew they were getting close to the truth."Mother, Father," Marcus said, walking into the room. "I think I
Beyond the Bottom Into The Lion's Den
---Chapter 8The night of the party arrived faster than Jamal had anticipated. He stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the tie his mother insisted he wear. His mind raced with possibilities—would they find evidence, or would they be walking into a trap?"You sure about this, Jamal?" his father asked from the doorway, concern etched on his face. "If you have any doubts, you can back out now. Your safety is more important than anything."Jamal looked up, determination blazing in his eyes. "I can't back down, Dad. This is bigger than me. If Marcus and his family are doing something illegal, someone has to expose it."His father sighed, placing a firm hand on Jamal's shoulder. "Just...be careful, son. And call me if anything feels off."Alex and Rachel were waiting for him outside when he arrived. Alex wore a blazer that looked a size too big, and Rachel, clad in a sleek black dress, looked more prepared for a gala than a high school party."You guys ready for this?" Jamal asked, his
Beyond the Bottom Shadows In the Mansion
Chapter 9The atmosphere inside the Gray mansion shifted as Jamal, Alex, and Rachel parted ways, each determined to uncover the truth hidden within the opulent walls. The faint hum of a classical piano echoed through the air, masking the subtle creaks of the floorboards beneath their cautious steps.Jamal moved down a dimly lit hallway lined with portraits of the Gray family. The faces in the paintings seemed to follow him, their eyes cold and lifeless. At the end of the hallway, he noticed a door slightly ajar, revealing what looked like an office.Taking a deep breath, Jamal stepped inside. The room was lavish, with dark wood paneling, a massive desk, and shelves lined with books that appeared untouched. On the desk lay a folder labeled "Confidential." Jamal hesitated for a moment before opening it.Inside were documents detailing transactions with unfamiliar names and hefty amounts of money exchanged. There were also references to offshore accounts and properties owned under aliase
Beyond the Bottom The descent
Chapter 10The room’s oppressive silence was broken only by the faint hum of the syringe in the man’s hand. Jamal, Alex, and Rachel sat bound to their chairs, their hearts pounding as Reginald’s cold gaze swept over them.“This isn’t just about you three,” Reginald began, his tone icy and authoritative. “You’ve meddled in affairs far beyond your comprehension. Now, you’ll face the consequences.”The man in the lab coat approached Jamal first, his movements deliberate. Jamal’s eyes darted to his friends, silently pleading for a plan.“Don’t you dare!” Rachel shouted, struggling against the ropes. “You can’t do this to us!”“Oh, but we can,” Victoria replied, her voice like silk. “And we will.”As the syringe neared Jamal’s arm, the door suddenly burst open.“Stop!” a commanding voice rang out.Everyone turned to see a woman in a sharp black suit standing in the doorway, her expression stern. Behind her stood two
Beyond the Bottom Shadows at Lincoln High
---Chapter 11The next morning, the trio awoke in the safe house, the weight of the previous night's events hanging over them like a dark cloud. Jamal stared at the worn ceiling of his room, his mind racing with what Evelyn had revealed. Marcus’s parents weren’t just dangerous—they were deeply tied to something far bigger and far more sinister.After a quick breakfast, Evelyn dropped them off a few blocks from Lincoln High.“Keep a low profile,” she advised, her tone firm. “Act normal. Blend in. And remember—if anything feels off, call me immediately.”Jamal nodded, his jaw tight with determination. “We will.”As they approached the school gates, the familiar hum of students greeted them. Jamal adjusted the strap of his backpack, feeling the surreal weight of stepping back into normalcy after everything they had just been through.Rachel scanned the bustling crowd nervously. “Do you think Marcus will show his face
Beyond the Bottom The unseen truth
---Chapter 12The next day at Lincoln High, the trio arrived earlier than usual. The whispers about Marcus’s family had intensified overnight, and even teachers seemed to be on edge. Jamal noticed Principal Hernandez standing near the entrance, speaking in hushed tones with a man in a suit—probably an investigator.“Looks like the school’s involved now,” Rachel murmured, following Jamal’s gaze.Alex shrugged. “Can’t say I’m surprised. Marcus’s parents have their hands in everything around here.”Jamal nodded, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off. The way Hernandez kept glancing toward the students made him uneasy. It wasn’t just about Marcus’s family. There was something more.---In their second period, English class, the trio sat near the back as Mr. Collins assigned an essay on “the pursuit of truth.” Jamal smirked at the irony but quickly turned his focus to the class. Midway through the lesson, a note slid onto his desk.“Library. 4 PM. Come alone.”Jamal gla
Beyond the Bottom Trouble on the horizon
--- Chapter 13 Jamal sat on the edge of his bed, staring at the crumpled note he’d found tucked into his locker that morning. “Stay out of it.” Three words, scrawled hastily on plain paper, but the message was loud and clear. He turned the paper over in his hands, the edges soft from where he’d folded and unfolded it a dozen times. His first instinct was to toss it into the trash and forget about it, but a deeper part of him—the part that had seen too much to back down—told him to keep it. The muffled sound of his mom humming floated in from the kitchen, breaking his train of thought. He shoved the note into his backpack and headed downstairs. “Morning, sweetheart,” his mom said without looking up as she flipped a pancake onto a plate. “Hungry?” Jamal hesitated, torn between wanting to sit and enjoy a normal breakfast and the gnawing tension in his stomach. “I’m good,” he said finally, grabbing an apple from the counter. “Not much of an appetite today.” His mom turned,
Beyond the Bottom the choice of darkness
---Chapter 14The next day at Lincoln High felt different, as though the air itself carried a charge that made every glance sharper and every word heavier. Jamal could feel it the moment he walked through the front doors—like the walls had absorbed the tension from the murmurs and whispers swirling through the halls.Rachel and Alex were already waiting for him by his locker, their expressions a mix of worry and determination.“Did you check it yet?” Rachel asked, her voice low but insistent.Jamal shook his head, pulling his backpack closer. “Not here. Too many eyes.”Alex crossed his arms, leaning against the locker with an exaggerated casualness. “Good call. Feels like half the school is looking for an excuse to talk about us already.”“They’re not looking at us,” Rachel said sharply. “They’re looking for Marcus.”Jamal glanced around. She wasn’t wrong. The usual hum of chatter in the hallways was tinged with something sharper, and every conversation seemed to carry Marcus’s name
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The Turning point
Chapter 110 Jamal Davenport sat at his desk, his fingers drumming against the wood as he waited for the call. This was it. The meeting with the university board would determine whether Skilbridge could survive ByteEdge’s onslaught or be crushed under corporate pressure.The room was tense. Leah, Ethan, Zoe, and Evan sat around him, their eyes locked on the laptop screen.“You sure they’ll go for it?” Ethan asked.Jamal exhaled. “They don’t just want a scholarship. They want something sustainable. And that’s what we’re offering.”The laptop screen lit up with an incoming call. Jamal straightened his posture and clicked accept.“Mr. Davenport,” the university administrator’s voice came through, steady but unreadable. “We’ve reviewed your proposal.”The tension in the room thickened.“And?” Jamal asked, keeping his tone professional.The administrator paused. “The board is impressed. Your career development pipeline is innovative, and we believe it could provide real value to our studen
The War for Dominance
Chapter 109 Jamal Davenport had always known that running a startup wouldn’t be easy, but this was a full-on war. ByteEdge wasn’t just moving aggressively; they were dominating.Their latest move—securing exclusive deals with two universities—was a brutal blow. Skilbridge was fighting against a corporate giant with deep pockets and powerful connections. If they didn’t strike back fast, they’d be buried before they even had a chance to grow.As soon as Jamal ended the call with Ethan, he headed straight for their dorm. Leah, Ethan, Zoe, and Evan were already waiting inside, tension thick in the air.“We need a new plan,” Leah said, arms crossed. “ByteEdge isn’t playing fair.”Jamal dropped his bag onto the chair and ran a hand through his hair. “We knew this would happen. We just didn’t expect them to move this fast.”“They’re leveraging money,” Ethan muttered. “Universities can’t say no to a fat check.”“But that’s their weakness,” Zoe said, adjusting her glasses. “They’re focusing o
Battling for Survival
Chapter 108 Jamal Davenport had faced challenges before—balancing Skilbridge with university, securing funding, and dealing with relentless coursework. But this? This was different.ByteEdge was a monster, a competitor with deep pockets and industry influence. If Skilbridge didn’t act fast, they’d be crushed before they even got a chance to thrive.The emergency meeting in Jamal’s dorm had ended with a plan, but now came the hard part—execution.By the next morning, Skilbridge’s team was already in motion. Ethan was coding new features, Zoe was reaching out to student organizations, and Evan—true to his word—was spreading the word across campus.Leah, on the other hand, had taken control of the marketing strategy.“We need to hit every major university event,” she told Jamal as they walked through the campus courtyard. “Tech fairs, career expos, student meet-ups—anything that gets people talking about Skilbridge.”Jamal nodded, but his mind was elsewhere. His inbox was full of emails
Pressure Building
Chapter 107 Jamal Davenport had thought securing an investor would be the hardest part of the journey. He was wrong.With the ink barely dry on the contract, the real challenge began—balancing Skilbridge, university, and life. Columbus University was unforgiving; professors didn’t care about his startup, deadlines didn’t wait for board meetings, and exams loomed like an unstoppable storm.It was just past midnight, and Jamal sat hunched over his laptop in the student lounge, eyes scanning Skilbridge’s latest analytics report. The numbers weren’t bad, but they weren’t great either. Growth had to be faster if they were going to meet Langford’s targets.“Still at it?” Leah’s voice cut through the quiet.Jamal looked up to see her standing by the vending machine, a bottle of water in hand. She wore an oversized hoodie and sweatpants—her unofficial study attire.“I have to be,” he muttered, rubbing his temples. “If these numbers don’t improve, Langford might start thinking we aren’t worth
The Waiting Game
Chapter 106 The days that followed were agonizing. Patience had never been Jamal Davenport’s strong suit, and now, with everything on the line, waiting for a response from Langford and Hayes felt like torture. The uncertainty gnawed at him, making it impossible to focus on anything else.He sat in the student lounge at Columbus University, his phone in his hand, refreshing his emails for what felt like the hundredth time. Nothing. Leah sat beside him, flipping through her notes, while Ethan and Zoe occupied the opposite couch, discussing an upcoming project.“You’re going to burn a hole through that screen if you keep staring at it,” Leah muttered, not looking up.Jamal exhaled sharply. “What if they back out? What if they decide Skilbridge isn’t worth the risk?”Leah sighed and closed her notebook. “Jamal, you need to breathe. We presented the best possible pitch. If they’re interested, they’ll call. If they’re not… we’ll find another way.”“You say that like we have a backup plan.”
Racing Against Time
Chapter 105 Jamal Davenport sat at the head of the table in Leah’s apartment, surrounded by his closest allies—Leah, Ethan, Zoe, and even Evan, who had surprisingly decided to stick around. Their expressions were serious, their gazes fixed on the documents and laptop screens before them. The weight of saving Skilbridge rested on their shoulders, and there was no room for hesitation.“We don’t have time to waste,” Jamal began, his voice steady but firm. “If we’re going to rebrand Skilbridge and attract investors, we need a full plan in motion by the end of the week.”Leah tapped her pen against the table. “That’s ambitious, but necessary. What’s our first step?”Jamal took a deep breath, knowing the next part would be the most difficult. “We need a pitch that sells Skilbridge as a must-have investment. Not just another start-up struggling to survive, but a company with real potential.”Ethan leaned forward. “We need success stories. Testimonials. Something that proves Skilbridge isn’t
Between Two Fires
Chapter 104 Jamal Davenport left Calloway’s office with his mind racing. The weight of Skilbridge’s financial troubles pressed heavily on his shoulders, and now, with Calloway talking about potential layoffs and budget cuts, things were spiraling out of control faster than he had anticipated.As he stepped outside, the crisp afternoon air did little to clear his head. He glanced at his phone—messages from Leah, Ethan, and Zoe filled his notifications. They were probably waiting to hear about the meeting. But right now, he needed a moment to himself.He sat on a nearby bench, elbows resting on his knees as he took a deep breath. This wasn’t just about Skilbridge anymore. It was about his future. If Skilbridge collapsed, all the time, effort, and sacrifices he had made would be for nothing. He had fought too hard to let that happen.His phone buzzed again. This time, it was a message from Ethan:Ethan: Yo, how did it go? We’re in the library if you need to talk.Jamal hesitated, then t
The Pressure Is On
Chapter 103 Jamal Davenport walked out of the café with Leah, Zoe, Ethan, and Evan, his mind spinning from the conversation they'd just had. No matter how much support he had, the weight on his shoulders never seemed to ease. Between Skilbridge’s growing complications, university deadlines, and Milo’s constant scheming, he felt stretched thin.The cold night air hit him as they stepped onto the campus sidewalk. Streetlights cast long shadows over the pavement, and students milled about in groups—some heading to late-night study sessions, others just enjoying a break from the academic grind."You sure you’re good, Jamal?" Leah asked, nudging his shoulder. "You’ve got that ‘thinking too hard’ face on again."Jamal exhaled. "Just processing everything. Calloway, the research project, the finance issues… It’s a lot.""You’re not alone in this," Zoe reminded him. "We’re handling Milo together, and now that we’re working at Skilbridge too, that should lighten your load a little.""Hopefull
Tensions Unraveling
Chapter 102Jamal sat at his desk, staring blankly at his laptop screen. The glowing display reflected an overwhelming pile of assignments, project deadlines, and unread emails from his professors. His mind buzzed with numbers, business projections, and the ever-present tension surrounding Skilbridge. Balancing university and the company was getting harder with each passing day.The latest email was from Professor Simmons, reminding the class about the upcoming research presentation. Another was from the student finance office, notifying him about tuition deadlines. It was ironic—he was handling millions in investments for Skilbridge, yet he still had to worry about university payments like any other student.With a sigh, he leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temples. His phone vibrated, snapping him out of his thoughts. Leah.Leah: Hey, you alive? We’re at the café. You need caffeine. And maybe an intervention.Jamal exhaled a chuckle, already knowing she wouldn’t take no for an a
