Jason sat in the cramped corner of the café, staring down at his phone. His hands trembled as he scrolled through the list of expenses Linda had just sent him. He had been working two part-time jobs just to scrape by, and now, all of that hard-earned money was about to disappear into the virtual shopping cart of someone who didn’t seem to care. He took a quick glance at Linda and could see her cold gaze fixed on him.“Jason,” Linda said, her voice sharp as she tossed her phone onto the table. "Pay for it. I added everything I need. You can handle that, right?" she asked nonchalantly Jason hesitated, his heart thudding. It wasn't the first time he would have to empty his wallet,his savings just to please Linda and at the end, he got nothing in return but her cold attitude. The total amount was suffocating—nearly his entire paycheck. He had just received his salary today, and most of it was already allocated for his tuition fee, which had been overdue for months. His university had gi
Jason’s ears rang as his vision blurred, not from the slap, but from the realization that everything he had believed about their relationship had been a lie. He had been used—nothing more than a convenient source of money.Linda turned back to Ethan, completely ignoring Jason as if he were invisible. Jason stood there, the laughter and whispers of the crowd echoing in his ears, his world crashing down around him.Jason stood there, feeling the heaviness of Linda’s cruel words. His heart pounded, every beat hammering in the reality of what was happening. Just minutes ago, he was certain he could fix things between them, but now, with Ethan’s arm wrapped possessively around Linda’s waist, it felt like the ground beneath him was slipping away. A part of him wished he could do something at the very least but he knew it was just a waste of time. He was a nobody compared to Ethan whose father could have his life out into misery with a single snap of his fingers. Linda turned to him wit
Jason lay on the ground, his chest heaving as he struggled to regain his breath. Every muscle in his body was in pain, but worse was the humiliation. The crowd still stand looking at the drama, though their murmurs had died down. He could feel their eyes on him, judging, mocking, pitying him. Ethan stood nearby, his face smug, confident in his victory. As Jason attempted to push himself off the ground, his arms trembled beneath him. He managed to get one knee up, but his body felt weak, too battered to move quickly. His head throbbed, and the weight of his failure pressed harder on him than Ethan’s foot ever had. Before he could fully stand, the sharp sound of heels clicking against the pavement filled the air. The crowd parted once more, this time revealing a figure of power and authority: Mr. Reynolds, the director of the school. He was impeccably dressed in a crisp suit, his hair neatly combed back, and his expression severe. The professor who had come to Jason’s rescue straigh
He hadn’t noticed it approaching, and now the vehicle sat idling, matching his pace as he walked.He stopped, a chill creeping up his spine. Who could this be? The window on the passenger side rolled down slightly, revealing a man in a suit. His face was shadowed, but his voice was clear and authoritative. “Jason Walker?” Jason tensed. “Who are you?” He asked looking around to make sure he was safe. Jason has heard lot of young kids being taken away and whisked into some part of the country to be used as either a sec slave or an houseboy. He wasn't going to be added to the chart. “We need you to come with us,” the man said calmly, his tone leaving little room for argument. Jason took a step back, his eyes narrowing. “And why would I do that?” The man didn’t answer. Instead, the back door opened, and two more men stepped out, dressed in similar dark suits. They moved toward Jason with an unsettling calmness. “I’m not going anywhere with you,” Jason snapped, his fists clench
Jason’s mind reeled from the stranger’s words, the silence in the room stretching uncomfortably. "Your father?" The statement hung in the air like a dense fog, making it hard for Jason to breathe. Jason blinked twice trying to make sure what he has heard was correct. He had no idea who this man was or what kind of sick game he was playing, but the implication of his words gnawed at Jason’s insides. His father had always been a sore subject—an absentee parent, angry and distant, more of a ghost than a man in Jason’s life. But now, the old man in his front acted as if he knew more about Jason’s family than Jason himself did. Before he could respond, the door behind him creaked open. A tall, elegant woman entered the room, her sharp features softened by a warm smile. Her heels clicked softly against the polished floor as she approached, stopping beside the man. “Father,” she said softly, looking between Jason and the old man, “I think we should get the DNA test done first, just to be
Jason's mind whirled as he stepped out of the mansion, the weight of everything he had just learned pressing down on his shoulders. He had barely had time to process the fact that he was a long-lost heir to a powerful empire, and now the revelation was threatening to suffocate him. The luxury, the money, the influence—it was all his. And yet, his heart felt heavy with confusion and uncertainty. But before Jason could delve any deeper into the storm of emotions raging inside him, his phone buzzed in his pocket. Startled, he fumbled for it, glancing at the screen. It was his friend, Marcus. "Jason, you gotta come back to school. Now," Marcus’s voice was panicked, breathless even. "Your grandmother... she’s here. She’s begging the director to let you stay. Linda and Ethan... they’re making her—" Jason’s heart dropped, and he didn’t need Marcus to finish the sentence. He could already picture it—his frail grandmother standing there, pleading, begging, while his enemies reveled in her
The two of them exchanged uneasy glances, clearly unsettled by his newfound confidence. Jason turned on his heel and walked away, leaving them standing there in stunned silence. As he walked, Jason’s mind raced with possibilities. His life had changed in an instant—he now had resources beyond their wildest dreams. Ethan and Linda had no idea what was coming for them, but soon enough, they would. Jason smiled to himself, his heart filled with resolve. The power and wealth he now possessed would not only protect his family but would also ensure that no one ever dared to cross him again. And his enemies? They had no idea what kind of storm was about to descend on them.Jason’s smile faded as he crossed the courtyard, the cold wind whipping around him as he made his way toward the school’s main building. His thoughts spiraled—he had done well to keep his newfound power hidden for now, but Linda and Ethan were like snakes, waiting for the right moment to strike. They had humiliated his
The hallway was awfully quiet, save for the sound of heavy breathing and the distant murmur of students watching the spectacle unfold. Jason stood there, fists clenched, his heart pounding as the director released his grip on his arm. He could feel everyone’s eyes on him, the weight of their judgment, the sharp sting of their whispers. He now looked like the villain while Ethan was in his exact position. Ethan lay sprawled on the floor, still groaning, holding his bloodied face. Linda knelt beside him, casting hateful glances at Jason, her phone still in hand, capturing every moment of his outburst. Jason’s grandmother, frail and trembling, stood to the side, her tearful eyes pleading with him, but Jason couldn’t meet her gaze. He had lost control, and the consequences were about to catch up with him. “Well, well,” the director sneered, straightening his suit and eyeing Jason with a mix of contempt and satisfaction. “What do you have to say for yourself now, Jason? After attacking
[THREE WEEKS AFTER THE GUNSHOT INCIDENT] The Carter's mansion bubbled with a lot of noise as many of the family members all day down. " I am the next in line after the death of Jason!" Henry Carter barked. " Is that your way of admitting you had a had in his gun shot?" Eric said slowly raising an eyebrow from where he sat down. " How dare you accuse me of such? Did the police found any concrete evidence pointing to me as the culprit?" Henry scowled. The room erupted into another frenzy mode with the lawyer in the middle trying to calm them down. "We haven't seen Mr. Jason's corpse yet; I can't agree to the fact that he is dead. Before we can go on and appoint the next successor, I need to know if Mr. Jason is dead or not." The lawyer said finally, "What are you saying? Are you telling us to wait for the comeback of a little boy? Who is going to take care of the family business when we don't even know where he is?" Camilla said with an outburst of rage. "I think I can l
The convoy screeched to a halt, the air thick with the acrid smell of burnt rubber. George's heart sank as he peered out of the limousine, his eyes narrowing at the chaos unfolding ahead. A black SUV had slammed into the rear vehicle of their convoy, effectively blocking their escape."Zeek, Evelyn, get ready!" George’s voice was sharp as he reached for the pistol under his seat. Beaded sweat formed on his forehead. Evelyn stepped out first, her movements calm but deliberate as she scanned the street. "Stay in the car, Mr. George," she said firmly. "We’ll handle this."Masked figures emerged from the SUV, each armed and advancing toward the van carrying Jason. Venom stood among them, his calm attitude sending a chill through the air."Hand over Jason Carter, and no one else needs to die," Venom called out, his voice carrying over the street. The people ran helter skelter as rounds of bullets were let into the air to send a warning message to George and his entourage. George pushed
"Make sure no one comes close enough to this van." George looked at his personal guards. The nurses all watched as Jason was moved through the hospital hallway. The view was glamorous, and it looks like they were moving the president of the nation. "Be careful." Mr. George shouted occasionally as Jason was lifted into the back of the van where some specialists were seated waiting for him. "I'm coming with you, Dad." Marcus said, looking at his father. "No, you are not." George replied. "Why not? He is my best friend, and I am not going to leave him alone." Marcus said angrily. "You wanted me to handle it from here onwards; that is why you came to me. Now leave the rest to me and go to school like a normal teenager. Zeek and Evelyn are going to help and make sure we get to the safe house in one piece." Marcus sighed, "Call me when you get to the safe house." "We need to leave now before the reporters get a wind of what was happening. The escort trooped out of the hospital one by
"He said nothing as he closed his eyes. Shouldn't you be out there finding who his shooter was?" Marcus looked at the man standing before him in anger. "I think we need to help ourselves here, Mr. Marcus. I want the same thing you want." The police officer said again. "And what is that?" Marcus asked, staring at him. "You uncover the mystery surrounding Jason Carter. My name is George, and if you are ready to let me assist you, then let me know. Here is my card. Feel free to call me anytime you want." Marcus looked at the card and back at the man walking away from his sight. He got inside the car and drove out of the hospital grounds. [ BACK AT SCHOOL ] The following day was hectic with a lot of reporters going in and out of the school to cover an exclusive story about the shootout. "Do you think he is going to make it?" One of the students looked at her friend. "Why? I have seen many people bounce back from gunshot wounds." Marcus walked into the school premises and immediatel
The news of the gunshot wound spread like wildfire with many speculations about who might want Jason Carter dead. The accident scene was immediately shielded, and students were asked to go back home. The new reporters were all over the scene with the police on standby. Jason was wheeled into the hospital with a lot of doctors at his disposal. "I told you not to let him out of your sight!_ K1 shouted at Evelyn. Marcus, who was still in shock with his hand soaked in his bed friend's blood, still couldn't believe his eyes. He remembered what he had seen on Jason's phone. " Benson and Jay are dead." Evelyn looked at K1. "What do you mean they are dead?" K1 looked at her face and then back at Marcus, who was still in shock. Marcus, without saying a word, brought out Jason's phone and handed it over to him. "Whoever killed them must have come for Jason," he said, sniffling. "Do you think they found something?" Evelyn looked at Marcus. "How should I know that? We are both in the dark h
Evelyn looked at Jason and nodded. She wasn't going to let him out of her sight, but then they were right inside the school. What was the worst that could go wrong? She hasn't heard anything from Eric or Aunt Camilla, so it was safe to assume they had forgotten all about the drama. Jason and Irene walked out of the party into the gentle breeze of the night. "So what now? You are into my sister Alessia?" Irene asked when they eventually stopped under the moonlight. "What? Why would you assume a thing like that?" Jason asked, raising an eyebrow to look at her face. "Maybe because I saw you in bed staring at her like you both have just had a steamy night." She looked back at Jason. "'Steamy night? I was drunk, and Alessia helped me get home. Definitely not my house. How was I supposed to know that she was your sister?" Jason asked "And what was that about her being my secretary back at work?" Jason added. "Wait, you work now?" Irene asked with a surprised look on her face. "Whoa, tha
Everyone at the party froze hearing what Fiona was asking Ethan to do to Linda. "You can't possibly leave me for her." Linda looked at Ethan. with a serious gaze. "Why not?" Ethan stared back at her with a meaner face. "You hate contributed to my life like I hope, and also you have fallen out of favor with him." He looked at Jason, who was enjoying the show. "Remind me again why I need to keep you?" Ethan asked with a smug look on his face. As he was about to finish his words, Alessia and Irene showed up. "Not now." Jason said slowly as his eyes feared between the crowds of students. "There you are. I have been looking all over for you." Marcus said, walking toward the party. They all gathered with each of them. trying to sort out their feelings. "What is it going to be, Ethan Mathew?" Fiona asked again, going back to the initial topic. "What are you feeling to offer if I said yes to you?" Ethan asked publicly "Offer? I have a lot. Just tell me I am yours and you are mine." Fio
"Where to, Mr. Carter?" K1 asked, staring at Jason at the back of the seat. The thought of the party crossed his mind again. Jason leaned back in the car, his eyes fixed on the city lights rushing past the window. The streets were alive with activity, but his mind was elsewhere. Alessia's coded words replayed in his head, each testing his patience. "What does she mean I'll change my mind with time?" he muttered under his breath, drawing a curious glance from K2. "Sir, you okay?" K1 asked, his hands steady on the wheel. Jason nodded, forcing a smile. "Just thinking about work." But it wasn’t work. Alessia's sudden appearance at his company wasn’t a coincidence, and Jason knew it. Her smug grin and the way she confidently walked around him—it was as if she knew exactly what she was doing. "Change of plans," Jason said abruptly. "Before the party, I need to stop by the Carter estate. I want to check something." K2 hesitated. "The estate? But, sir, isn’t that where—" "Yes, it is,
The door opened and Jason's face went pale. "I can't believe it, you." Jason said with a surprise in his voice. Alessia walked in with a smug grin on her face. "What are you doing here?" Jason asked in anger. "Are you stalking me now?" He asked with anger. "You do know all of this is wrong. You can't be here." Jason shouted at her again. The door opened and Mr. Nicholas walked in. He has heard his loud noise opposite his office. "Are you alright, Mr. Jason?" "I will be fine when you ask this lady to leave my office." Jason said, pointing at Alessia. Mr. Nicholas looked at Alessia and back at Jason. "Do you know each other?" He asked with surprise in his voice. "Yes." "No." Both of them replied almost at the same time. "Mr. Jason, I am sorry, but she is one of our best workers in here. She is your new secretary." Mr. Nicholas replied. "New what? That is impossible; her family is supposed to be rich, or they are rich. So how come?" "That is a long story, Mr. Jason. Just make