Jason's POV:
I showed up to our little "study session" fully intending to make Ella—Hoodie Girl—feel as small and dumb as I assumed she was. I figured I'd talk circles around her, throw in some complex terms I'd picked up from my dad's board meetings, and watch her squirm. I'd done it before—hell, most adults couldn't keep up with me when I joined my father at business discussions. They always asked me to "elaborate" or "simplify" something. It was a power play, one I'd perfected over the years.
So, when I sat down and started dropping words like "systematic analysis," "data optimization," and "strategic bifurcation," I expected her eyes to glaze over. I expected her to whine about how difficult it all was, like every other girl who pretends to be smart just to stroke a guy's ego. They always act like they need your help. That's what Amber would have done. Hell, that's what *anyone* would've done—because who could keep up with me?
