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2024-10-29 19:42:56In the bustling cafeteria of Williams college, Archie found himself standing alone at the counter. His friends had already settled down at their usual table, their laughter mingling with the clatter of trays and utensils. He fumbled through his worn wallet, counting out the meager coins with a sinking feeling in his stomach.
The cafeteria attendant, a woman with a perpetually bored expression, glanced at Archie with thinly veiled disdain. “Running short again, Archie?”
Archie’s cheeks burned with embarrassment as he tried to summon a response. “Uh, yeah, just a bit short today,” he muttered.
“I’ll get you the rest later,” he began, his voice trailing off as he tried to meet the attendant’s eyes. But before he could finish his sentence, her expression darkened.
“You think you can just waltz in here and expect a free meal?” she snapped, her voice laced with venom. “We’re not a charity!”
Archie’s cheeks flushed with embarrassment, his heart pounding in his chest as the attendant raised her voice intentionally. He leaned in closer, intending to calm the lady, but her voice only grew louder.
Before he could muster a response, a familiar voice chimed in from behind. “Hey, sorry about the hold-up. Let me get this one.” Daniel appeared by his side and slid a card across the counter. “Put it on my tab.”
The attendant hesitated for a moment, her face still flushed with anger then with a begrudging nod, she processed the transaction. Her scowl deepened as she handed Archie his meal.
“Enjoy your meal” The words scraped against her tongue.
Archie muttered a small thank you before they returned to their table.
“What took you guys so long?” Max chimed in, the attention shifted to Daniel and Archie as soon as they settled on the table.
“Just the usual, Samantha causing a fit for no reason” Daniel responded in between a mouthful of a beef burger.
Archie seized the opportunity to change the subject, eager to divert attention away from him. “So, what was everyone talking about?”
Before anyone could respond, another of Archie’s friends blurted out with excitement. Jake’s eyes lit up as he leaned in closer. “Oh man, you won’t believe what went down at Sierra’s party last night...” but Max drove his elbows to his side before he could continue.
Archie’s heart sank as he struggled to process Max’s words. “Sierra had a party?” he asked, trying to mask his hurt with casual indifference.
“Wait, you actually didn’t know about it?” Max said, confusion evident in his tone. He had only assumed that Archie couldn’t attend the party because of his packed schedule.
Archie’s stomach twisted into knots as he scrambled for an explanation. “Yeah, I told her I had a shift. She probably didn’t want to bother me,” he replied, forcing a nonchalant shrug.
His friends exchanged uneasy glances. Instantly, Max sliced through the tension “That reminds me, I’ve got Harris’ class right after this. Can’t miss out on his thrilling lectures.” He did an exaggerated eye roll before jumping to his feet.
Jake seized upon Max’s sarcastic comment, a mischievous glint in his eye. “Oh yeah, Professor Harris, the king of monotone. I’d rather listen to paint dry.”
The group erupted into laughter as the conversation flowed. Archie chuckled half-heartedly, idly picking on his food.
A sense of paranoia crept over him. Phones beeped incessantly, and he couldn’t shake the feeling that people were glaring at him, whispering, and giggling.
Max, always quick with a joke, remarked, “Must be our charming presence causing a stir.”
Before anyone could respond, a menacing figure from the football team sauntered over to Archie with a sneer on his lips. “Hey, look who it is, Mr. Free ride. You know, Samantha told me that you almost begged to wash the dishes just to eat at our table today.”
The taunting words echoed down the hallway, eliciting laughter from the onlookers, their amused gazes fixed on Archie.
“Here” Ryan pulled a bundle of cash from his pocket and threw it at his feet. “Just so you wouldn’t have to wash any more plates.”
Jake quickly stepped in between them, shoving Ryan back with a firm push on his shoulders. “Hey, back off,” he asserted, his voice tense with authority. “What’s your problem, man?”
“Chill dude, I was only trying to help. No hard feelings” Ryan raised his hands in the air. “You know, being the only scholarship student at Williams. It must be really tough on him..”
Archie’s heart raced as Jake turned to him, confusion etched on his face. “What’s he talking about, Archie? What Scholarship?”
Archie clenched his fists, his jaw tight with frustration. “Nothing, Jake. Just ignore him.”
But the unsettling atmosphere only intensified as Daniel’s phone beeped, followed by another, and another. Archie’s patience wore thin as he demanded an explanation. “What’s that?”
Daniel’s eyes darted around nervously. “Nothing”
At lightning speed, he attempted to put the phone away but Archie was quick to intervene. Seizing the device from his grasp before he could pocket it.
On the screen, a damning video played, showcasing Tommy, the school’s golden boy, cozying up to Sierra at a party. In the dimly lit room, Sierra’s laughter echoed as she playfully flirted with Tommy, a bottle of beer was tucked in between her palms.
Tommy’s mocking tone cut through the air, “I don’t think your boyfriend would be too happy to see you with me.”
Sierra leaned into Tommy, her laughter ringing out. “Ew, Archie? Of course not, he’s probably too busy working his three jobs to even notice.” She shrugged then wrapped her arms around his neck. “Besides, it’s not like his little scholarship can cover everything.”
The sting of betrayal cut deep as Archie watched the video, his grip tightened around the phone. “I need to find Sierra”
“What?” Daniel stood in his path to speak sense to him. “You know this is what Tommy wants, right? Maybe you should wait till all of this cools off”
But his friend’s attempts to calm him fell on deaf ears. Pushing through the crowd, Archie stormed out of the building.
As soon as he got outside, a camera was pointed to his face. Its intrusive presence only fuelled his anger.
The cameraman, sensing his frustration, stepped away, revealing Tommy seated on top of his red convertible with Sierra by his side.
Tommy’s steely gaze was fixed on Archie’s, a silent challenge passing between them. With a smirk, he leaned in and locked lips with Sierra.
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“Sierra!”Archie’s rage boiled over at the sight of Tommy’s kiss with Sierra, his voice echoing through the tense air. “Take your hands off her, Tommy! We need to talk.”Tommy’s grin widened, a mocking glint in his eyes. “You really don’t take a hint, do you, Archie? Your girlfriend doesn’t want you.”Archie turned to his girlfriend. She fluttered her manicured fingers at him. “Hi Archie”“Sierra, we need to talk.” His voice cracked with desperation. Sierra tilted her head, her glossy lips curling into a patronizing smile. “Not with your broke ass,” she scoffed, her disgust evident in her lowered lashes.Tommy saw the look on Archie’s face and it fed his satisfaction. “Yikes, now isn’t this painful to watch” He hopped to his feet and pranced towards him. He stretched out his arms, forming a makeshift camera frame with his fingers and one eye closed, then gestured towards the camera guy. “Hey, Elliot, looks like you’re missing out on some Hollywood shit!”Ignoring Tommy’s taunts, Arc
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The fluorescent lights flickered overhead, casting eerie shadows that danced against the cold, concrete walls of the room. Archie sat slumped in a metal chair, his face bruised and his uniform bloodied, his body ached with every movement.The police officers circled around him like vultures, their eyes gleaming with sadistic pleasure. “Thought you were tough?” one officer sneered, his voice dripping with contempt. “Why don’t you show us the way you bullied the mayor’s son, huh?”Archie opened his mouth to say something but he was silenced with a blow to the stomach. He winced as the sharp pain shot through his battered body like lightning.The officer was about to land him another blow when his pocket vibrated. He hesitated mid-swing, a look of annoyance flashing across his face as his phone rang. With a muttered curse, he stepped aside to answer it, leaving Archie sprawled on the cold, hard floor, his body trembling with pain.As the officer conversed in hushed tones, the rest of the
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Archie stood rooted to the spot, his gaze fixed on the imposing figure before him. After everything he had endured in the recent days, nothing seemed to surprise him anymore. “Please, get in,” the man commanded, gesturing towards the black van parked nearby. Archie’s eyes flickered towards the vehicle, noting the three other men dressed in identical suits seated within its confines.He broke into a maniac laugh then shook his head, “No way, man. I’m not getting in there.”But the hefty man remained unfazed, his steely gaze boring into Archie’s with unwavering intensity. Goosebumps prickled along Archie’s skin, a sudden sense of unease settling over him so he did the first thing that came to mind. He turned to his heels but before Archie could escape, the man’s strong grip closed around his arm, dragging him towards the waiting van. With a swift motion, Archie found himself being bundled into the vehicle, the door slammed shut behind him before he could protest.After many hours of b
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Archie arrived home to the familiar sounds of his mother bustling about in the kitchen, the clinking of utensils and the rhythmic chopping of vegetables filling the air. Grace was in the midst of a phone call, her voice animated as she multitasked, whipping up a meal with practiced ease. But as soon as she caught sight of Archie, her phone slipped from her grasp, forgotten, as she stood frozen in shock.“Hey, mom”Hurrying over to him, her hands reached out to cup his face, her touch gentle yet urgent. “Archie, what happened to your face?” she exclaimed, her eyes scanning his bruises with concern. Archie watched as his mother enveloped him in a warm embrace, her worry palpable in the way she held him close. Despite everything he had been through, all he needed in that moment was the comforting presence of his mother.A small smile tugged at his split lips as he soaked in the warmth of her embrace. Grace might not be his biological mother, but she had filled the role of a mother with
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Ashley seethed with fury as he watched the interaction between the two of them, but he held his tongue, opting not to respond.“Come on, let’s go,” he muttered to his friends, gesturing for them to follow him as he stormed past them.Just as he turned away, Archie caught his gaze, and Ash made a threatening gesture, dragging his finger across his throat.“Ignore him,” Bailey said, her voice calm but firm, redirecting Archie’s attention back to her.“People like this are pretty hard to shake off,” Archie remarked, his gaze drifting thoughtfully to his notes. “You can ignore them all you like, but that only gives them more reasons to bother you.”“Well, that’s not how it works over here,” Bailey countered.“Oh, really?” Archie retorted. “Well, I tried ignoring them and I earned a free facial massage as a reward.” Bailey burst into an infectious laugh, her brown hair falling and brushing against her face. She held her both sides as she started to wheeze.“I like you. What’s your name?”
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Bae’s eyes twinkled with amusement as she watched Archie approach their table, his focus solely on balancing the two steaming cups of coffee. There was a certain charm in his concentration, a kind of authenticity that drew her to him.He wasn’t like the rest. He was more...normal.“He’s hot,” A girl remarked, her eyes lingering on Archie with obvious interest.Her moment of quiet observation was interrupted by the sudden intrusion of a redhead from across the booth. Bae’s attention snapped to the girl, her initial admiration for Archie melted away as she quickly composed herself, her voice taking on a casual tone. “Maybe, I don’t know.” she replied with a slight shrug.The redhead pressed on, undeterred by Bae’s nonchalant response. “Does he have a girlfriend?” “I don’t know...” Bailey’s voice trailed, she had just realized that she knew nothing about his personal life. It had been a week already and she was the least proud to admit that she still called him ‘newbie.’“Incoming.”
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As the sun dipped low in the sky, the air buzzed with anticipation. Spectators quickly filled the stands, their voices blending into a steady hum of excitement. Bailey took her seat among the crowd, her eyes fixed on the field below. “I pity him,” one of the cheerleaders suddenly chimed in, her voice cutting through the buzz of the crowd. She beckoned to the rest of the squad, her tone laced with certainty. “Ash is definitely going to pound the new guyBailey ignored her mates, she remained silent, her gaze unwavering as she watched Archie with hopeful anticipation.On the field, Archie and Ash stood facing each other, both cladded in uniform. Their eyes locked in a fierce rivalry. Tension crackled in the air as they waited for the next whistle.As the referee’s whistle pierced the air, the match sprang into action. Ash wasted no time, swiftly grabbing the ball and darting across the field with lightning speed. His teammates rallied around him, creating a wall of defense that Archie
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“Ow,” Archie winced. They were both seated in an empty classroom, his chair mere inches away from Bailey’s.“Stop overreacting, it isn’t that serious.” Bailey dipped a cotton swab in ointment before applying it on the wound.He narrowed his eyes at her, but she giggled. “You were amazing, though.” She added, wrapping a bandage around his knee. “I’ve never sat that long for a match in my entire life.”“You’re welcome” he nodded in acknowledgement as he watched her carefully tend to his wound. “You’re good at this, who knows, maybe med school is your calling.”“Well, I did apply,” she shrugged. “But my parents were against it.”“Why?”She forced a fake smile. “I’m the only child. There’s no one else to take over the family business other than me. I bet they just can’t wait to marry me off.” She rolled her eyes dramatically.“Then why don’t you simply say no.” Archie suggested.“It’s complicated.” Their eyes locked, her hands gently massaging the bandage. “You can’t just say no to famil
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EPILOGUE
8 months later,There is a popular saying; the ship is never afraid of the wind but rather it bends to it and dances to its tune of direction and relief.Trees who don't bend in the wind break. The wind is a pivotal feature of the human life as it is responsible for every occurrence that happens in human life. When you learn to bend, you fit everywhere. When you learn to bend you navigate the wind with your curved hands and control it. Archibald Lockwood has seen the storm, he had dined in the whirlwind and he had learned to embrace the raging tornado and walk inside of it. He learned to toil a dry land and water it with his tears of frustration and discouragement, and sweat of weariness and hunger.When he stood in front of the magnificent building which bore the name *Lockwood Enterprises* he closed his eyes and recounted how he had begun his life up to this moment. It was a different kind of wind,a different kind of struggle at every phase of his life. He smiled, watching the sun
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Chapter 165 - The Wedding
The wedding began around 12:00 p.m. in the afternoon. The venue of the wedding was the family's yard which was filled to the brim with men of high class and caliber. Many of them were Marshall's colleagues from the military, oil and gas moguls,big celebrities and even politicians.It was a dream come true for Bailey, as every eye felt upon her in awe. She'd chosen to wear a lace turtleneck gown and a very transparent veil. There was no doubt that she looked beautiful and that she would be gracing the cover of the biggest wedding magazine in the country for a long time to come. Archie on the other hand was as stunning as ever, very much the desired man any woman would wish to have. He stood tall in his three piece suit, his brown eyes emitting the soft rays of the midday sun. His jet black hair had been dressed and combed to give a gentlemanly appearance. Once the band began to play the piano, Bailey's father took her by the hand and slowly started leading her to the aisle, where Arc
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Chapter 164 - Surprises
Archie waited for Bailey at the parking lot, feeling his heartbeat with tension and anticipation. He decided to protect his now grown reputation by standing under one of the trees, so that the darkness can shade his presence. A part of him still felt bad about Bailey's parents and how he had to leave them unresponsive. His heart had been clouded with pain, as memories of the ill treatment he had gotten from them reeled in his head. He drew a deep breath and closed his eyes, attempting to relax his taut nerves. This was the beginning of the end, and now that he had been vindicated, there was nothing left for him to think of. He ran his hand over his pocket, the tiny box was still there. When he opened his eyes he saw Bailey in the parking lots, looking around in search for him. “Hey! I'm here,” he called out loudly, waving his hands to catch her attention. She turned around at the sound of his voice, but when she was still not able to get his direction he walked out from under the
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Chapter 163 - Parent's Regret
When the cameras flashing on Archie increased, he knew that he was already live on television. Every home was tuned into this station, every eye fixated on him.“Hmm,hmm”The throat clearing coughing of the presenter jolted him out of his thoughts. “You said you are who again?” Archie twisted his lips into a smirk as he chuckled lightly. There was sarcasm in the bald headed man's voice. He obviously thought he had come to humiliate himself just as everyone in the world was thinking. He adjusted his sitting position, crossing his legs. “I am Archibald Lockwood. The heir to the Lockwood empire.”The smile on the presenter's face dissipated immediately, becoming replaced with unease, the kind that left his eyes widened, and his jaw agape. Archie could feel the same silence, echoing through the land. The same shock on the presenter's face spread across every face in the land including Bailey's parents' own. It felt good, being a glistening debutante to the world who had undermined him
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Chapter 162 - Parent's Approval
“Thank you all for being here,” Bailey began, keeping her gaze steady as she stood at the head of the table.. Her father narrowed his eyes. “What’s the point of this meeting, Bailey? You know how we feel about your... decisions.”Ignoring the dismissive tone, Bailey pressed on. “Since I’m taking control of the company. It’s time for a change, and I want to merge with Archie’s business.”The murmurs around the table rose like a tide, disbelief etched across their faces. “You can’t be serious,” her father barked, slamming his hand against the table, causing the coffee cups to rattle. “Archie is beneath us. He doesn’t belong in this world.”“Actually,” Bailey retorted, her voice slicing through the air, “I don’t care about your opinions anymore. I believe in Archie and his vision. He has more integrity than anyone in this room.” She locked eyes with her father, refusing to back down, her hands clenched into fists at her sides. “You’re making a mistake,” her mother interjected softly.
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Chapter 161- Dealt Cards
“Mom, I’m not about to do anything reckless,” Archie responded, realizing he wasn't going to get through with them; this was something he'll have to do himself.There was no way he would let his step siblings get away with everything they had done they would pay one way or another.Emily’s eyes searched his a bit doubtful he meant what he said. “Archie, I understand your anger, but chasing them won’t bring you peace. You’ve got your life ahead of you. Think about it.” She leaned forward, the tension in her body visible as she reached out, her fingers brushing his arm.“I get it. I’ll keep my head clear.” He forced a smile, a façade he hoped would ease her anxiety.As she turned away, Archie stepped outside, he pulled out his phone and dialed Simon’s number.“Hey, Archie! Everything alright?” Simon’s voice crackled through the line, filled with curiosity.“Not really,” Archie muttered, glancing around to ensure no one was nearby. “I need you to help me keep an eye on my siblings. They’
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Chapter 160 - New Wave
Archie strode into the office the next morning with an air of command, his footsteps steady against the polished marble floor. The scent of fresh coffee mingled with the leather-bound scent of documents, yet there was something else in the atmosphere- his dominance. He scanned the faces of his employees, his gaze sharp, and his posture upright like a king on his throne.There was no room for forgiveness. With a flick of his wrist, Archie motioned to his assistant. "Gather them," he ordered simply.Soon enough, the ones who had wronged him stood before him. Archie watched them, letting the silence grow thick before he spoke.“Your time here is over,” Archie declared, shocking them.“You can’t just—"Archie raised a hand, palm out, halting him mid-sentence. “This is my company. I decide who stays and who leaves. And none of you deserve to stay.”The others exchanged nervous glances, their bodies tense but none of them.dared speak.One by one, they were led out. As the door clicked shut
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Chapter 159
The gates of the juvenile home creaked open, and Archie stepped inside, he could already tell the meeting wasn't going to end well as he moved down the narrow corridor. The dull thud of footsteps echoed against the concrete floor. He spotted the living room and his step siblings pacing the room.As he entered his footsteps drew their attention, their eyes locked on him but he didn't flinch, already used to it. There was no warmth, no welcome, just the cold resentment that had festered for years. "Archie," Rhyder’s voice broke the silence, more a statement than a greeting. "Here to play the hero again?"Archie stood still for a moment, his jaw clenched. He could taste the bitterness of the conversation to come, already lingering on his tongue. "I'm not here to save anyone," he finally spoke, keeping his voice even. "Just to hear what's going on."Meg scoffed. "You should know by now. Dad washed his hands of us. Threw us all to the wolves except you right?." Her lips curled, but it was
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Chapter 158 - The Final Verdict
Murmurs filled the courtroom but no one was able to say anything against her order. They were going to behave exactly the way she had said they should. "I will be waiting for each of them to appear. I have already invited them to the court and we are going to get to the bottom of this issue today once and for all." She announced happily. She was always joyful whenever she had the opportunity to free the oppressed. It was later she got to know Archie's real identity. He wasn't the usual person that she thought he was. He was Marshall's son so she was not surprised by the way he was bold to prove his points. It was only people who had something to hide that would shy away from prosecution. She hoped for his step siblings sake that they did not have a hand in this because she was going to go hard on them and not even Marshall would tell her to stop. They tried to tarnish the young man's image everywhere. There were lots of posters and caricatures made of him as people thought he was