CHAPTER 1

"Have you heard? Olivia is cheating on Darren!"

"I've been saying it, that low-class guy is just being used by Olivia."

"It makes sense! Olivia is the most popular girl on campus. There's no way she's really in love with that poor guy."

"Exactly! This is such hot and shocking news on our campus. The spoiled rich girl is cheating with the campus benefactor's son!"

In the campus corridor, Asher Dixon walked, sighing heavily. His face turned pale as he realized that the gossip about his girlfriend, Olivia Halbert, had spread like wildfire over the past three days.

Until now, Asher had always thought that the relationship between Darren and Olivia was just limited to being campus friends, but the reality hit hard as he frequently caught Olivia with his best friend, Darren Alexander, these past three days. Negative thoughts started to settle in his mind, although he tried to dismiss them and trust Olivia.

Unfortunately, what the black-haired man with brown eyes saw now made him more certain that his negative thoughts were true - Olivia and Darren were kissing in the campus cafeteria.

Asher asked, his eyes filled with disgust as he looked at both Darren and Olivia, "So, the rumors about you two cheating are true?"

A friend whom Asher had trusted, even considered as a brother, turned out to betray him. Darren's face looked entirely innocent. The ash blonde-haired man even smirked mockingly at Asher, while gently caressing Olivia's waist.

Without answering Asher's question, the woman with long brown caramel hair asked sarcastically, "Who's cheating? Did we ever have a special relationship before?"

With an icy expression, Asher asked, "So you never appreciated our time together?"

The woman in the peach-colored dress laughed hollowly. "Asher... Asher... Of course, I approached you all this time just so you could help me with college assignments! Not because I loved you!"

Although Asher was the poorest student on campus from an orphanage, he was the top student academically. This was the reason Olivia and Darren approached him.

The ash-blonde man in the black hoodie laughed mockingly, then released his hold on Olivia's waist. "Do you think too highly of yourself, Asher? How could the campus darling look at a low-background nobody like you?"

The cafeteria visitors suddenly fell silent, as if they were deliberately enjoying the drama that had just begun while gossiping.

"Look, Asher! Now, he's waking up from his dream."

"Reality is bitter. Especially for someone who's nobody."

"Besides, he never looked at himself. Who is he to expect love from Olivia Halbert?"

"Too bad, the truth is girls are more interested in wealthy men."

With indifference, Asher spoke, "Oh really?"

After a moment of silence, Asher continued, "But does that justify a friend's betrayal?"

Olivia clenched her fists tightly, feeling annoyed with Asher. "Hey, Asher! Can't you understand Darren's words? A poor guy like you isn't worthy to be with Mrs. Halbert!"

The cafeteria visitors looked at each other, affirming Olivia's words.

Asher's gaze suddenly turned intimidating. In a cold tone, Asher replied to Olivia's words, "Why are you so angry? Do you think a promiscuous woman like you is still worthy to stand by me? That won't even happen in your wildest dreams."

After speaking his mind, Asher decided to erase Olivia from his life, then turned and left. Everything he had done for Olivia had come to an end, and he didn't feel the need to look back anymore.

Feeling irritated by Asher's belittling words, Olivia stepped forward to stop Asher from leaving. The long-haired woman grabbed Asher's shoulder, causing him to turn. "Asher!" Then, surprisingly, she splashed tomato juice on his face. "I hope this refreshes your mind!" She grinned in disgust.

The cafeteria visitors gasped, shocked by Olivia's actions. Asher wiped his face while looking at Darren, who smirked mockingly. The ash blonde man then arrogantly said, "What? Why are you staring at me? Do you want to challenge me?"

Darren turned to Olivia; at that moment, he wanted to show off to his new girlfriend that he was far superior to Asher in every way. Rolling up his black hoodie sleeves, Darren approached Asher and threw a punch. "Once a loser, always a"

Before Darren could finish speaking, surprisingly, Asher blocked Darren's punch and kicked his former friend in the stomach, causing him to fall to the floor. Olivia panicked, "Darren!"

At that moment, the cafeteria door opened, and a white-haired man in expensive formal attire stepped in, glaring at the scene before him with sharp eyes. "Young Master Asher Dixon, let's go home," he said authoritatively. "It's time you return to where you truly belong."