2025-03-20 21:24:39Liam’s POV
Crestwood University wasn’t just a school—it was an empire built for the rich, by the rich. A place where last names mattered more than merit, and money was the key to everything. If you weren’t born with a silver spoon, you were just another background character, an extra in the story of the elite.
That was me.
I had learned that the hard way.
As I walked through the grand marble halls, my shoulders throbbing with pain from the excessive book I had stashed into my bag.
I could feel the sneers, the sideways glances. My faded shoes, the second-hand clothes I had carefully ironed this morning, and the cheap wristwatch my mom had given me on my last birthday—all of it shouting I don't belong in here.
I don't fit in.
I was the charity case, the scholarship student. The poor kid surrounded by royalty.
“Hey, loser.” I heard a voice behind me.
I barely had time to react before a hand slammed into my back, shoving me forward. I stumbled, barely catching myself before my books fell on the cold floor.
Laughter echoed behind me.
Ryan Blackwood.
I didn’t have to turn around to know it was him. His voice carried the easy arrogance of someone who had never been told ‘no’ in his life.
“Why do you even bother showing up, Carter?” Ryan’s voice said sarcastically, making me want to throw a punch at his face.
“Crestwood isn’t for people like you. I bet the janitors earn more than whatever pocket change you scrape together.”
The crowd around us chuckled, and I swallowed hard, my hands tightening around my backpack straps. Fighting back would be useless.
Ryan wasn’t just any rich kid—he was the heir to the Blackwood Empire, one of the biggest business conglomerates in the country. His father probably had enough money to buy this entire school twice over.
And me? I was just the son of a struggling waitress who worked double shifts to make sure I had enough to eat.
Ryan leaned in, lowering his voice so only I could hear. “And just so you know, Melissa is mine. She was never interested in a broke nobody like you. Do you honestly think you can win her over with just studying? I bet she is paying you some change to have her work done."
My heart clenched at his words, but I refused to let it show. I refused to give him the satisfaction.
Melissa.
The girl I had known since freshman year. The girl who had once smiled at me, who had laughed at my stupid jokes, who had promised we would always be friends no matter what.
The same girl who, just last week, had been in my dorm room, asking me for help with an essay.
And now she was with Ryan.
I had seen the photos, the ones she had posted on her social media—wrapped around his arm, sitting in his sports car, dressed in designer clothes. At first, they meant nothing
Everyone wanted to be friends with Ryan and I don't blame her. She gave me the attention I needed, that was all that matters.
I had wanted to believe it was just a misunderstanding. That she wasn’t like the others.
But I was wrong.
“Move.”
Ryan shoved past me, his minions following, each of them flashing me smug grins. I stood frozen for a second, willing myself to stay calm. Losing my temper wouldn’t change anything.
I exhaled sharply and kept walking.
The humiliation didn’t stop there.
By lunchtime, I had already been bumped into three more times, each “accidental” shove sending my books or my tray of food tumbling to the floor. It wasn’t new. This was just another normal day at Crestwood.
I slid onto a chair at the end corner of the cafeteria, keeping my head down.
“Mind if I sit here?”
I looked up to see Noah, my only real friend at this school. He wasn’t rich either, but he was better at blending in than I was. He had a way of keeping his head low, staying out of trouble.
“Sure,” I muttered.
Noah dropped his tray down, giving me a sympathetic look.
“Ryan again?”
I gave a small nod. There was no point in denying it.
Before Noah could say anything else, the cafeteria suddenly erupted into cheers and gasps.
I turned my head toward the commotion.
At the center of it all stood Melissa and Ryan.
Melissa had a microphone in her hand. “I just wanted to say,” her voice rang through the speakers, “that I’ve found the love of my life.”
My stomach dropped.
She turned, smiling sweetly at Ryan, before getting on her tiptoes and kissing him in front of everyone. The cafeteria exploded in cheers, laughter, and whistles.
And then, her eyes met mine.
I knew what she was doing. This wasn’t just a public confession. This was a message.
A message that I was nothing.
I felt Noah shift beside me uncomfortably. “Liam—”
But I didn’t hear the rest. I had already stood up, grabbing my tray and walking out of the cafeteria.
The laughter followed me all the way down the hall.
The day only got worse.
By evening, I was in the library, my head resting against my arm, trying to ignore the dull ache behind my eyes.
I couldn’t keep doing this.
No matter how hard I worked, or how much effort I put in, I would always be at the bottom of this social hierarchy. No amount of intelligence or book reading would ever change the fact that I wasn’t one of them.
My phone buzzed on the table.
It was my mom.
I hesitated before answering. “Hey, Mom.”
“Hey, sweetheart,” her voice was warm but tired. “How’s school?”
I swallowed the lump in my throat. “It’s fine.”
A pause. “Liam…”
I could hear the concern in her voice.
I forced a smile she couldn’t see. “Really, Mom. It’s fine. How’s work?”
She sighed. “They cut my hours again. But don’t worry, I’ll figure something out. Just focus on your studies, okay?”
My grip tightened on my phone. I knew what she wasn’t saying. Money was tight. It had always been tight.
I glanced around the lavish library, at the students wearing clothes that probably cost more than our rent for a year. The bitter taste of resentment settled on my tongue.
I wasn’t just humiliated.
I was tired.
Tired of struggling. Tired of being at the bottom. Tired of being reminded every single day that I wasn’t good enough.
Something had to change.
I just didn’t know how.
Not yet.
But I would.
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CHAPTER 52
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CHAPTER 51
Liam's POV“Mom! Mom, are you here?” My voice echoed in the quiet house. What if Blackwood had… no I couldn’t even think about it.I slammed into the first door and it broke open. “Mom!” I shouted while kicking through the mess into the living room. It was empty. I looked around for signs of a struggle or danger. The pastries and flowers I bought were now scattered on the floor.Next door was the kitchen and I didn’t hesitate. Another kick, another crash and I was inside calling her name again. Some utensils rattled and a vase almost fell but my mom wasn’t there.I could barely breathe. I was losing it. I couldn’t think straight. Blackwood’s words still rang in my head.. “You don’t want to see me angry.” Was this his anger? Was this what he could do?Then I heard a door click open and a soft voice. “Liam? What in the world…?”I spun around almost tripping in my hurry. My mom stood in the hallway wrapped in a towel with her hair wet. She looked confused.“Liam what's going on? Are
CHAPTER 50
Liam's POVI reached for the light switch and flipped it on but nothing happened. The apartment stayed dark. A sense of fear rushed through me.. the kind that makes you wish you were more ready. I really wished I had a firearm with me. But I hadn’t. I was here with nothing to protect myself in my own apartment.“Relax kid.” the voice said with a creepy laugh. “I just want to talk.”A man leaned forward in a chair with The light from the street outside illuminating his face just enough for me to see him. My breath caught. I’d never met him in person but I knew exactly who he was. The hard face and the cold eyes there was no doubt about it.William Blackwood. Ryan’s father.He gave a slow and dangerous smile. “You know who I am. After all the trouble you’ve caused me.”My brain raced trying to stay calm and think of something smart to say. I knew I had to be careful. “Why are you in my apartment in Blackwood?” I asked. “Breaking into people’s homes—do you always do business this way
CHAPTER 49
Liam's POV What were they talking about in there? “Girl talk.” Yeah, right. Like Alice and Sarah had anything in common besides me – the guy who always messed things up. I looked at my watch then stared at the house. The front door didn’t open. Everything was too quiet and it made me feel even worse.At last the door opened and Sarah walked out with a big smile on her face. I felt a bit better but I was also really curious.“So?” I asked as I stepped away from the car. “What were you two talking about?”Sarah’s smile grew. “Get in the car Liam. You’re driving.”“Driving where now? What did you guys talk about?” I asked again following her as she walked to the passenger seat. The way she avoided the question made me nervous.She sat down and buckled her seatbelt quickly. “Just drive Liam. I’ll tell you on the way.”I stopped for a second then walked around and got in the driver’s seat. I stuck the key in, started the car and pulled away from the sidewalk. “Okay I’m driving. Now te
CHAPTER 48
Liam's POV“So?” she asked. “Operation Apology is on. We’re going to Ms. Hawthorne’s house right?”I nodded and put my hands in my pockets. “Yeah. I just… Well yeah I suppose so.”She raised an eyebrow and smirked. “Okay Liam. But don’t get too emotional. Be sorry not creepy.”“Thanks for the tip Sarah. Really helpful.” I said flatly.We got in the car and of course Sarah being Sarah, she chose to drive. She started the engine and we took off. As she drove out of the parking lot I kept glancing at her. She was humming to the radio acting like this was a road trip or something..“Hey.” I said after a while.She looked at me with a smile. “Yes Carter? You’ve been staring like I’ve grown another head. Or maybe you just like my amazing driving?”I sighed. “It’s just… earlier at school. I understood why you didn’t want to be seen with me. But now… why are you okay with it? After everything?”She turned the music down. “Look Liam I’m not dumb. I know what you’re thinking. You think th
CHAPTER 47
Liam's POVAll the students of Crestwood High sat tightly packed in the bleachers of the basketball court which were usually for fans but now faced a small stage. A podium stood in the middle of the stage with a microphone attached to it.I sat stiffly in the front row silently observing. Unlike the other students of Crestwood, I knew exactly what was coming. The last two days had been kinda tedious with people whispering, staring and making false claims about me wherever I go. It all started with a fake article in the school paper and now it had all gone way beyond that.Principal Thompson stepped up to the microphone and he cleared his throat loudly with the sound quieting everyone and informing them it was time to be silent.“Good morning everyone.” his voice bboomed across the room. “We are here today to talk about a serious issue that has affected our school.” He paused and scanned all the faces before him. “As you all know an article in the school paper made some claims. These
CHAPTER 46
Liam's POVI rolled into the parking lot and right away I heard the usual laughs and mean jokes. People pointed at me and shouted things through the air.“There he is! Lover boy!”“Hey Liam how’s Ms Hawthorne?”They didn’t know what I knew. The fake messages and the news article all of it was about to be exposed.I turned off the car and took a deep breath. No reaction. No anger. Today was my day. I had just stepped out of the car when Mr. Grimsby came over.“Carter! The principal wants to see you. Right now.”Behind him Ryan Blackwood showed up with a big grin and next to him was Melissa.“Someone’s in big trouble.” Ryan smirked. “Enjoy detention Carter.”I didn’t say anything back. I walked past him with my eyes forward. I felt his stare behind me but I didn’t give him what he wanted. Melissa’s stood there staring too but I tried not to focus on her.Mrs. Davison the principal’s secretary gave me a small smile and pointed to the office.“He’s ready for you Liam.”Principal Thompson
CHAPTER 45
Liam's POV“Hans what is it? What's wrong with my mom?” My voice shook with fear I hadn’t felt in a long time.“It’s your mom Liam. Just come to Preston’s Hospital Room 312. Please hurry.” Then the call ended.Preston’s Hospital. I knew that place.. I hit the gas hard with the car speeding as I weaved through the evening traffic while my mind kept thinking the worst. All the stress had been hard on her and now…I skidded into the hospital lot sometime later and ran toward the entrance ignoring the securities annoyed look. I pushed through the doors and ran straight to the reception desk.“Room 312 please! It’s my mom Mrs. Carter.” I said breathlessly.The receptionist looked up and her face softened. “Third floor turn right after the elevators. Room 312 is at the end of the hall.”I didn’t wait. I rushed to the elevators pressing the “up“ button again and again until the doors opened..Finally the doors opened. I ran down the hall checking the room numbers. When I saw 312 I paused,
CHAPTER 44
Liam's POVSarah smiled. “Even better. I can prove the whole article is fake. Your supposed interview? It never happened. The editor and some of his friends just made it up.”“How? How can you prove that?” I leaned forward with my eyes stuck to the screen.“Easy.” she said and began typing again. “Every time someone writes or changes something the computer saves the IP address the date, the time and what was changed. And guess what? The chat part of the article… there’s no record of it being made. It just showed up like magic.”“So… it was copied from somewhere else?” I asked while trying to understand.“Exactly! And I can see where it was copied from. Probably some website or file. That means whoever wrote it just made it up.”“That’s… that’s amazing!” I said at the same time jumping up in excitement. “Can you… can you print it? Can you give me proof?”“Of course I can.” Sarah said while rolling her eyes. “You think I did all this just to tell you? I’ll get the logs, the IPs and eve