Ace stepped closer to Oliver, his eyes fixed on the older man, unblinking. The entire room was thick with tension as everyone’s gaze followed the two of them.“How do we know you’re the real Ace?” Oliver’s sneer curled his lips, his sharp eyes gleaming with suspicion. His tone was laced with the intention to apply pressure. “A man who vanished for years suddenly reappears… It’s more than a little suspicious.”Ace remained unfazed, staring straight into Oliver’s eyes. “You doubt me? After all these years, you still don’t believe that I’m the only one capable of running My Lady?”Oliver scoffed, stepping closer to Ace, their distance shrinking by the second. “Anyone can fake the identity of a dead man. We need more than fairy tales to rely on.”“A dead man?” Ace chuckled coldly, his voice echoing ominously through the room. “Is that what you think? Let me remind you, Oliver, that it was my signature on the contract that saved you from bankruptcy. Is there anyone here who dares to deny t
Ace stepped into the grand lobby of the My Lady hotel, the luxurious atmosphere surrounding him in stark contrast to the simple life he had lived for many years. He had grown accustomed to staying in the shadows, living a humble existence, far removed from the wealth and power of this world. But now, returning to My Lady, Ace knew he had to confront both his past and present.As he exited the elevator and walked toward the entrance, Ace quickly noticed the stares from people around him. A group gathered near the reception desk, chatting animatedly, but they all went silent the moment they spotted him.A voice suddenly called out from behind, pulling Ace back from his thoughts.“Hey, isn’t that Ace? The broke kid from school?”Ace turned around, locking eyes with a familiar face—though not someone he had ever been particularly close to. It was Jack, someone who had attended the same school as Ace, but they had never really been friends. Standing beside Jack was a group of his friends,
Ace stood beside his car, his gaze fixed solemnly on the road ahead. Night had settled over the city, and the glow from the My Lady Hotel cast a faint light on his face, accentuating his already steely expression. Just as he reached for the car door, a voice broke through the silence.“Ace! Wait!”Lisa’s voice was desperate as she hurried up behind him, her breaths coming in short, rapid bursts. Ace turned slowly, his cold eyes meeting hers without a trace of warmth. “What else is there to say, Lisa?” His tone was icy, his demeanor guarded.She hesitated for a moment, then stepped closer, her face softened with regret. “I… I know I was wrong, Ace. Please, just… forgive me.” Her voice trembled, her eyes glossy with unshed tears as she looked up at him pleadingly.Ace didn’t flinch. His gaze remained steady, and yet, deep within, an old wound seemed to stir, recalling the bitterness of her betrayal. “Forgive you?” he scoffed, a slight sneer forming at the corner of his mouth. “Do you re
Ace moved through the hospital’s quiet hallways until he reached the door of Mr. Quinn’s room. Inside, the ambient hum of medical machinery filled the air, an almost rhythmic accompaniment to the steady rise and fall of the elder's chest as he rested. Ace’s expression softened slightly as he entered, but his posture remained guarded.“Mr. Quinn,” Ace greeted in a low, respectful tone. The man on the bed stirred, turning to look at him, his eyes warming with recognition and a hint of relief.“Ace…” Mr. Quinn murmured, his voice rasping with the effort to speak. “I didn’t think... you’d come.”“I came to ensure everything is under control,” Ace replied, his voice measured and calm, masking the underlying worry that only he could detect. The world saw Quinn as a powerful, almost untouchable figure, but to Ace, he was a leader worthy of respect—a figure who had shaped and guided the world around him.As they exchanged a few more words, the door opened, and Andrea walked in, her face light
Richard Conner sat in the stifling confines of the interim principal’s office, the crumpled expulsion letter trembling in his hand. His leg bounced furiously, barely containing the rage bubbling beneath the surface. The conversation replayed endlessly in his head, each word striking against his fragile ego."Effective immediately, you are no longer a student at this institution…"The reason? Vague. The phrasing? Cloaked in administrative ambiguity. The underlying message? Crystal clear. He was done. Finished. And no one could—or would—offer him an explanation. The interim principal’s curt, dismissive tone echoed in his ears, leaving no room for negotiation, no avenue for appeal.“Damn it!” Richard growled under his breath, shoving the letter into his pocket as he stormed out of the office. Students loitering in the hallway instinctively parted, their whispers following him like an annoying swarm of gnats.His mind spun with chaos—a storm of anger, humiliation, and panic. Expulsion was
The sun beat down on the rugged terrain, its golden light reflecting off jagged rocks and uneven ground. Ace stood silently at the edge of a ridge, his sharp eyes scanning the landscape below. His posture was calm but commanding, a stark contrast to the environment’s chaotic topography. Beside him, Andrea Thorn reviewed a map on her tablet, her movements precise and purposeful.“This section here,” Andrea said, pointing to a particularly steep incline. “It’s unstable. Reinforcements won’t be enough if we’re aiming for sustainability.”Ace crossed his arms, tilting his head slightly. “Rerouting the flow through the lower ridge might work,” he replied. His voice was measured, each word deliberate. “But it’ll cost us time. Is it worth it?”Andrea glanced at him, her expression neutral. “If you’re willing to sacrifice time for structural integrity, yes.”Ace didn’t respond immediately, his attention pulled toward a faint sound in the distance—a car engine, growing louder by the second. Hi
It was midday as Ace walked through the dormitory hall, he was back from an all-night delivery and an extra morning shift. He was just returning, and his body ached.“I have $250 saved and mom gave me $100; now I can buy Lisa that birthday gift. I'll work harder to pay my school fees; a few night shifts wouldn’t hurt.” Ace said, taking a step into his room.He had to admit that although his current life was hard, he found it rather enjoyable, spending it with a girl that he loved and who loved him.Ace met his roommates gathered over his computer.A frown appeared on Ace’s face, and he lashed out, “Hey! You guys shouldn't touch my things!” Ace said in annoyance.“Yo Ace, come over here.” Reed, a tall blonde, beckoned to Ace.“What's that?” Ace quirked his brows. He wasn't interested in what they were watching.He was furious when he heard the sounds of moaning. “Give it to me.” He dropped his bag and went to the group.However, as he came closer, his eyes widened.Ace felt a dull ach
Ace rushed to the hospital as fast as he could, desperate to find out what state his mother was in.“Hi, I was told that my mom was rushed here in an emergency. Can you please help me find her?” Ace hurriedly said to a nurse who was standing behind a desk, busy typing on her computer.The woman didn’t pay any attention to him at first, causing a deep frown to appear on Ace’s face.“Hello, I’m talking to you,” Ace said again, through gritted teeth. The woman looked up at him, wondering if she knew him from somewhere.“Who are you looking for?” she asked calmly.“Mrs. Winchester,” Ace uttered, his patience wearing thin.“Yes, that poor woman. She was brought here after suffering a heart attack. I heard it was because her house was taken away from her and—hey! You can’t go in there!” The nurse was mid-sentence when Ace abruptly walked away.He couldn’t understand why the nurse was rambling on, but Ace was burning with anger and hatred. He knew Richard had something to do with it, and he