The camera flashes soared through the air, blinding the figures in cuffs. The FBI trailing behind them escorted both the former board member, who bowed his head in shame, and the couple, who also tried to hide their heads but couldn't hide their faces from the live footage. The journalist urging for answers shifted their microphones from the arrested figures to the men in uniform but were left with a professional silence."Mrs. Williams is here!” One of the journalists who noticed her exited the DSI with several men in black suits trailing in front and behind her, dragging the other journalist and cameramen away from the officers. The cameramen instantly took to their heels following the lead of the journalist.Meanwhile, Mason and Haley, who had used the private elevator to eat their various cars, and Mason, who had instructed for his car to be brought to the DSI, slid into the driver seat of the black Bugatti and drove past the press with ease as everyone's attention was focused on
As the two figures locked eyes, a brief silence hushed through the space, prolonging the tension in the room. While the lecturer's unwavering facial expression made it clear that he was resolute in upholding his decision, Mason, on the other hand, remained calm at Mr. Hasatin's unwillingness to grant him leniency for coming late. Despite his ability to manipulate the situation in his favor and coerce Mr. Hasatin into allowing him to take the test, Mason chose not to use his influence, as it would only draw more attention to him.“If I were to miss the test, would there be a make-up test?” Mason inquired, pulling his hand out of his pocket to glance at his watch. The lecturer's frown deepens at his confidence level, and apart from Mason being the student to break the record of coming to his test hall ten minutes late, no student was ever bold enough to request a makeup test since they already knew the outcome."Don't, brother Mason, go home and pray you score high in your exam; if not
Ms. Sonia examines Mason with a look of curiosity and disbelief. She couldn't imagine this student, who most students underestimate as a scholarship student, is the same person who was dripping with an intimidating aura and was ready to protect her from her psychiatrist brother. She knew Mason wasn't an ordinary student like his files claim, but she couldn't decipher who he was and what he was hiding behind his mask. Sonia knew the lecturer was waiting for her response, so she cleared her throat and said. “I don't really care why you haven't been attending Mr. Hasatin classes, but coming late to write his test is unacceptable!” She said, keeping a calm tone and yet holding enough seriousness, which assisted Mr. Hasatin ego.“I was a few minutes late, Ms. Sonia, and all I ask is to write the test not to be given an additional minute,” Momaaon defended calmly, but the lecturer daggers his eyes at him.Sonia noticed the expression on Mr. Hasatin's face at Mason's reply; she shook her an
As the seconds ticked by, Mason's figure blended with the hushed crowd of students diligently scratching their pens across their papers, trying to solve the questions. Focused on Mason, Mr. Hasatin resumed his invigilation, navigating through the students with his eyes constantly shifting between the wall clock and his direction. A wide smile illuminated his face when he saw that Mason was the only student solving the test questions without the aid of a calculator. ‘You think you're brilliant and can solve problems without a calculator? Let me see how you intend to pass without confirming your answers,’ Mr. Hasatin muttered to himself, shaking his head. Meanwhile, Sonia, who was also standing in front of the class, couldn't help but notice the lecturer's animated gestures. She followed his gaze and arrived at Mason's desk, which had no calculator. She knew Mr. Hadatin wouldn't allow borrowing a calculator, and solving the questions without one would be more difficult, as the expre
Shortly after Mr. Hasatin made the announcement, he quickly scurried through the classroom, collecting the answer sheets. While some students submitted their scripts with ease, others, who had already assumed their fate, submitted theirs with grimace itching on their faces.Mr. Hasatin, with a satisfied smile, finally approached Mason, who was pretending to be reviewing his work.“Your time is up smart ass,” he grinned, snatching the paper from his hands, and since he was confident Mason would fail, he didn't bother to go glance at his work and added it to the rest. “I guess you're not confident about your score, are you?” He added mockingly, and Mason, wearing an unreadable expression, glimpsed at him before turning to Jeremiah, who had also submitted his script and was ready to leave. “Let go, Mason,” Jeremiah muttered, hoping they could disappear from the classroom before Mr. Hasatin's cold gaze bore a hole in his best friend's head.Mason nodded and picked up his things; they wer
“Austin,” Mr. Hasatin's voice resonated through the classroom, causing all the students to turn their attention to the front. The air was thick with a mix of anticipation and dread as he scanned his list of names before looking up at the boy, who sat frozen in his seat. Austin's gaze flickered nervously around the room before finally settling on Mr. Hasatin, whose expression was stern yet tinged with disappointment as he continued, “Your test score is 10 out of 100!” The words hung in the air, punctuating the silence and eliciting a wave of murmurs and gasps from the other students. Austin, who was short of words, quickly forced a lump down his throat as the reality of his test score slapped his face. More whispers from other shocked students emerged as they lingered their gaze on the boy who had never missed a class and was regarded as not only Mr. Hasatin’s disciple but the best student of his course. “Oh my God, I can't believe this!” A girl sitting in front of Mason excla
After the test scores were announced and the dean of students exited the classroom, several chairs scraped against the floor as the students, still reeling from the shock of the results, slowly filed out in a somber group, reminiscing about the surprising twists of the test. At the back of the line, Mason and Jeremiah lingered, their expressions different from those of the others. Meanwhile, Mr. Hasatin stood at the front, his piercing gaze fixed on the two boys as if he could bore into their skulls with his eyes.In seconds, they confidently strode to the entrance of the faculty, capturing the attention of several pairs of watchful eyes. Rumors of their outstanding test score had rapidly spread throughout the university, creating an unmistakable buzz that refused to be ignored, and other students who didn't know who they were exchanged looks of curiosity.“Bro, I think I have become popular!” Jeremiah muttered, panning his eyes at the notifications popping up on his phone screen. Mas
“That's alright,” Mason replied with a casual smile, unfazed by the curious glances from those around them. With a fluid motion, he retrieved his phone from his pocket and tapped at the screen, which lit up, and exchanged numbers with them, sealing their brief conversation with a friendly nod. After a few warm goodbyes, he headed toward the administration building where his car was parked. Mason circled out of the parking lot and headed downtown Aleric City, navigating through the familiar streets lined up with shops and cafes, bustling with activities. After a few miles, he finally arrived at Heaven Institution, where Helen attended school.Keeping his promise to pick her up, Mason slowed down and navigated toward the elegant, modern building with its sleek glass facade. In front of the building, staff dressed in sharp formal wear gathered in the late afternoon light, and their polished shoes gleamed as they exchanged polite smiles and warm handshakes with the parents who had come t
Helen, noticing his swift response, shrugged her shoulders. “He is a boy in my class and has been asking me to be his reading partner,” she replied, sending a brief silence to the room.Helen sighs, her shoulders slumping with her breath. “I suppose it’s just that he always comes in second, while I manage to come first in nearly every class activity,” she added, her tone a mix of pride and sadness. Not waiting for Mason to reply, she pulled out her phone, and with a flick of her finger, began scrolling through the recent pictures taken during their skating activity.Mason couldn't help but notice one image of Cleopatra caught in an angle of her head slightly turned as she looked over her shoulder. Her smile radiated with warmth and joy. And her rich green eyes sparkled with a sense of relief and contentment, one which he hasn't seen in a while.“You know I could just send them to you,” Helen announced, prompting Mason to pull his gaze from the screen to his sister's face.“What?” He
Time flew by quickly, and the tension from the earlier part of the evening gradually transformed into a more lively atmosphere filled with laughter and chatter. The four figures who were now gliding gracefully across the smooth surface did so with a smile plastered across their lips, and with the help of Cleopatra and Fiona, Mason, who was a quick learner, mastered his balance, prompting him to skate solo.After a few more hours of laughter and fun, Mason and Helen bid their farewell to the girls, whose hearts were filled with warmth and shared moments. They exited the building and made their way towards the parking lot, which was filled with energy and surrounded by the sounds of laughter and cheerful chatter blending with the distant whir of rides.It was already evening, and the sun had begun to set, casting a golden hue over the park, illuminating the faces of families enjoying the last remnants of the day. With a bright smile, Helen paused for a moment, taking in the vibrant s
“Just as I mentioned to Cleopatra during our last encounter, I have a friend with some influential connections in there,” he said, glancing over at Cleopatra. The subtle look in her eyes indicated that she recalled the peculiar incident they had experienced at the hotel, bringing a mixed feeling that Mason was aware of.“If this was to be true, why hasn't Williams gone public with such a discovery? This isn't the kind of break Mrs. Williams would be holding back at this period!” She said, returning her gaze to the screen.“You talk like you know the woman that much,” Mason replied, switching his gaze to Cleopatra, who has the answer to his question.With a deep sigh, she stepped closer to her sister to read the details of the medical trial. “Mrs. Williams is a very smart woman. Mason, almost every girl in Aleric City wishes to be just like her,” she said, then widened her eyes when she noticed Fiona was the first candidate on the list. “My sister is on the list!”Fiona, who hadn't not
“What?!” Fiona shrieked with a parted lip, echoing through the room. Everyone, including Helen, snapped their eyes in her direction. Caught off guard by the revelation, she staggered back with a pounding heart, but her instincts kicked in, allowing her to regain her balance with surprising agility. “Is this some kind of a joke?!” The incredulity in her voice was loud, laced with a mix of anger. She instinctively hunched her shoulders, which reflected her rising anxiety. She flicked her gaze from Mason to Cleopatra, whose lips parted in stunned silence, unable to find the words to respond. With a serious expression, Mason steps forward, closing the distance between them. “It is not a joke, Fiona,” he said in a calm tone that finally matched his demeanor. Fiona, still grappling with the overwhelming emotions swirling inside her, shook her head, refusing to accept the reality that loomed over them. Her eyes flickered with disbelief and denial, betraying her struggle to come to terms
Mason, with trembling legs, pushed himself up from the surface of the rink, taking his time to steady himself before shifting his gaze toward the group of girls who stood nearby with concerned expressions. As he made his way towards the group, the memory of the recent incident filled him with embarrassment. "Are you okay?" Helen and Cleopatra asked in unison, their voices filled with concern. Mason, however, remained silent but nodded before sliding into one of the empty chairs avoiding the worried expression written on their face as they searched for the truth behind his concealed distress. Fiona, who was quietly lingering in the shadows of the other girls, took a moment to gather her thoughts before clearing her throat to catch her sister's attention. “I understand people lose their balance all the time, sis; even I’ve stumbled more than a few times, but the way you worried about him is something else,” she said. “How do you know each other?” she asked, with a furrowed brow. Cl
After much contemplation, Helen finally nodded her head. With a nervous expression, she locked hands with Fiona, who guided her toward the rink.“You're going to be fine,” Fiona reassured her. With a pounding heart, Helen's breath came out in quick puffs as she tried to steady herself with each tentative step. “Look at me.” Fiona pulled her gaze away from the ground, and as they locked eyes, Helen, unwilling to let Fiona go, tightened her grip and slowly glided across the room.In a matter of seconds, with Fiona gliding next to Helen, she develops the courage to glide solo, with her movement becoming more precise than before.“Mason, I'm doing it!” Helen exclaimed, her voice echoing across the expansive skating rink. She cast a glance over her shoulder toward her brother, who stood at the rink's edge, waving at her. “That’s my girl! I always knew you could do it,” he exclaimed, his voice brimming with pride as he watched her glide effortlessly across the surface.After a few rounds
Fiona eyed Mason intently, noticing the determined glint in his eyes that hinted he wasn’t about to back down from the challenge ahead. Predicting the outcome of his decision, she stepped forward with her weight perfectly balanced on the edge of her skating shoe as she blocked his way. With a steady voice, she proposed, "How about I demonstrate the process, just to set a good example?"Helen, hearing the suggestions, didn't waste any time in nodding her head in agreement, and when she didn't hear a response from her brother, she snapped her head in his direction, urging him to let Fiona take the lead. Mason glanced at his concerned sister, with a brief sigh, then nodded his head in agreement. “By all means, lead the way,” he said, allowing Fiona to show him the ropes. “Great,” Fiona nodded at him, doing a routine stretch while her small audience watched as she prepared to showcase her skills. With a deep sigh, she exerted a subtle force, allowing her legs to glide effortlessly in f
With the manager gone, Fiona led the way into the building, assisted by the rhythmic click of her heels echoing against the polished floor. Behind her were Helen and Mason, who pulled his gaze from his watch to stare at Fiona leaning in to whisper something to Helen. she immediately lit up with a radiant smile and nodded enthusiastically, thrilled by whatever secret she had just shared. As they stepped into the expansive skating rink, with the door closing behind them, the familiar lyrics of the music reverberated through the air, creating an infectious energy that contrasted with the chill of the surroundings. Along the spacious bar table was a female staff member, skillfully carrying out her task without glancing in their direction. Mason smiled as he glanced around the environment, recollecting his first time inside the building; the space was filled with both professional and learning skaters who had their hearts in their mouths as they glided across it. Above the ground is a da
The manager, seeing Mason holding out his card, erupted into another round of laughter. He knew an average bank account would struggle to accommodate a single transaction of $100,000, let alone the staggering amount that Mason was now claiming he wished to pay.After laughing to his content, the manager wriggled his brown eyes across the black, and when he finally saw the distinctive inscription etched into the dark material before him, an unexpected wave of emotion surged within him. He felt a lump form in his throat, a mixture of surprise and disbelief, as he turned to Mason.“I…Is that a black card?!” The manager stammered, his mouth watered with confusion, as he fought the overwhelming urge to rub his eyes, hoping to clear the fog of uncertainty and confirm what he was seeing was real.Mason, with whom the question was directed, remained quiet, allowing the sound of reality to sink into the man.“How is that possible? You don't look—” the manager felt another lump automatically su