Selena shrugged, her expression serene. "Secrets? Think of them as… pieces of a larger story. You'll learn the parts that matter, but only when the time is right." She watched his reaction, amused by the conflict in his eyes. "Does that bother you, Thomas?"
His jaw tightened. "You bet it does. Jack's life isn't something I'm willing to gamble on just because someone tells me 'it's fate.' If you have something to say about who you really are, I suggest you say it."
Selena sighed, a faint smile touching her lips. "You want the truth, Thomas? Very well. I'll tell you a small piece." She paused, studying his face carefully. "I've been connected to Jack's life… since long before he was even born."
Thomas stared at her, his expression darkening. "What are you talking about?"
"Protection," she replied simply. "It's not something I chose. It's something I was entrusted with, bound to by something greater than either of us." Her gaze shifted, softening as she looked toward Jack. "My purpose is to ensure his safety. That's all you need to know."
Thomas's mouth twisted into a skeptical smile. "And I'm just supposed to believe that? You're here to protect him?" He let out a short, bitter laugh. "How convenient."
"Believe it or don't," Selena replied coolly. "It won't change anything."
Thomas's voice dropped lower, his tone laced with warning. "You seem awfully sure of yourself. But if I find out you're here to harm him…"
She raised a hand, cutting him off with a calm but firm gesture. "Thomas, if I meant him harm, you wouldn't have sensed my presence at all."
The boldness of her words left him momentarily speechless, but he quickly recovered. "You're saying you're… what? Some kind of protector?"
Selena held his gaze, her expression unreadable. "You could call it that. Though, frankly, titles don't matter. What matters is that he's safe."
Thomas studied her, his suspicion deepening. "And who sent you? What's your real connection to him?"
She shrugged, maintaining her calm. "That's a story for another time." She stepped closer, lowering her voice so only he could hear. "If you really care about Jack, you won't interfere with what I have to do."
Thomas didn't back down, though his gaze softened just a fraction. "I'm not convinced. But fine. For now, I'll leave it alone." His voice turned firm again. "But if you make one wrong move, I won't hesitate to step in."
Selena smiled slightly, unruffled. "That's fine, Thomas. In fact, I encourage it." She looked at him directly, a glimmer of respect in her eyes. "Loyalty like yours is rare. Jack is fortunate to have someone like you by his side."
Thomas blinked, caught off guard by her sincerity. He opened his mouth to speak, but before he could reply, she stepped back and gave him a respectful nod.
"Enjoy the party, Thomas," she said softly, before turning to rejoin the others.
As she walked away, Thomas watched her with an unsettled expression. Her words echoed in his mind, leaving him with more questions than answers. She was a mystery he couldn't shake—a mystery he was more determined than ever to solve.
When the birthday party was coming to an end Jack signaled to the waiter to send the bills, while packing up some new food for Grandma and Richard. Sam and Rueben also mentioned they needed some things too. The cake had about three layers left and it was air-lifted away for Grandma and Richard back home.
Francis was furious as he watched Jack talking to the waiter, realizing that the moment of truth had arrived. The bills were due. Desperately, he glanced down at his phone, hoping for the notification he needed—and there it was.
A message from his mother read: "I've just topped up your card with thirty million. No more for the next two months."
Francis's heart sank. Thirty million? It was barely enough, and certainly not enough to cover the outrageous bill Jack had racked up in the Diamond Penthouse. Still, he couldn't afford to lose face now. The students were already watching, waiting to see how this would end. Grimacing, he dialed his mother's number, feeling the pressure build as the phone rang.
When his mother answered, Francis's tone was tense, desperate. "Mum, it's too small! I need more money."
There was a pause on the other end. "Why?" she demanded. "What exactly are you spending so much on?"
Francis hesitated, then walked to the far end of the poolside, his frustration only growing as he spotted Kelly lounging and enjoying himself without a care. His blood boiled. "Mum, it's about that boy using the Mason surname. Jack Mason. I made a bet with him to split the bill for our classmates, and… I didn't realize he had access to the Diamond Penthouse. He somehow managed to get permission to host the party there, with food and drinks that cost nearly a billion!"
There was silence, then his mother's voice, now laced with concern. "Jack? That same boy using the Mason name? And he was given access to the Diamond Penthouse?"
"Yes, Mum! And he ordered the most extravagant food and drinks imaginable. Are you sure he's not… actually a Mason?" His voice dropped, uncertainty creeping into his tone.
Clara's tone turned icy. "Francis, don't be ridiculous. That boy is an imposter. But I'll transfer another two hundred million for now. That's all I can give without raising your father's suspicions."
Relieved but still worried, Francis quickly hung up. His phone buzzed with a new notification moments later: the additional funds had arrived. Smiling to himself, he muttered, "Now I'll deal with this nobody once and for all."
With renewed confidence, Francis walked back over to where Jack was sitting with his friends, his expression triumphant.
Selena, observing from nearby, casually picked up a glass of juice from a waiter's tray and took a seat next to Rueben, keeping her gaze calmly fixed on the scene unfolding in front of her.
Clearing his throat dramatically, Francis called out to Jack, loud enough for the whole class to hear. "Jack, now that you've eaten to your heart's content and even paid tribute to your ancestors with this feast, don't you think it's time to face reality? Let's settle the bills," he sneered. "Some of us have better places to be."
Unfazed, Jack leaned forward, pushing the bill toward Francis. "As agreed, Francis. There's the bill. Fifty-fifty, right?"
Francis grabbed the bill, scanning it quickly. His face blanched as he saw the total: 1.1 billion dollars. "Are you out of your mind, Jack? What is this? Who's going to pay this with you?" His voice trembled with barely concealed rage.
Jack smirked. "Isn't it just a small amount for the heir-to-be of the Mason family? You did agree to split the bill, didn't you?"
Francis swallowed hard, but with his classmates watching, he couldn't back down. His face twisted into a scornful smile, and he turned to Kelly, who was standing loyally by his side.
Kelly stepped in, eager to support him. "Sure, Francis can afford it. But, Jack, you didn't need to waste so much just to impress people at a party. This is… excessive, don't you think?"
Sam let out a sarcastic laugh. "Oh, Kelly, you remember the agreement, don't you? Nobody asked Francis to chip in. He was the one who offered to split the bill as the 'heir-to-be.' So here's your chance, Francis. Time to pay up."
Francis shot a glare at Sam. "Who asked you?" he snapped.
Sam raised his hands, feigning innocence. "Just a friendly reminder, that's all."
The room fell silent, everyone watching the tense standoff. After a moment, Francis sneered, his voice filled with indignation. "Fine. I agreed to pay half, but did I agree to all these luxuries? I just wanted to help Jack have a decent birthday. But apparently, he's greedy and ungrateful. He wants to show off, reaping benefits he didn't earn! How does a village pauper develop such a high taste for luxury?"
The classmates exchanged uneasy glances, surprised by Francis's shamelessness, though they were too intimidated to speak out. Kelly, sensing the shift, chimed in, "Exactly! You're just trying to impress Victoria and the rest of us, aren't you, Jack? Booking the Diamond Penthouse and ordering all these things… It's ridiculous!"
Many students grew visibly uncomfortable as they realized how much they had eaten and drank, fearing the looming bill. Francis turned to the class, a smug smile spreading across his face.
"To my real friends," he declared, "I'll cover your part of the bill. But don't think I'll pay for everyone here. Only those who stand with me." He gestured for his friends to line up behind him.
The ones loyal to Francis quickly joined him, smirking and taunting the rest. A few students, visibly nervous, even dropped to their knees, pleading with Francis.
"Please, Francis! We just got carried away. Help us out!"
"Yes, Francis! You're the real heir. We won't make this mistake again!"
"We thought Jack could actually handle it, but… we were wrong. He's nothing but a class pauper."
Francis waved a hand, feigning sympathy. "Enough! I'll help a few, but don't expect me to pay for everyone here." He waved to the waiter. "Calculate the total for ten people and bring me the bill."
The waiter looked baffled, glancing nervously at the crowd. "But, sir… I would need days to review the footage and determine exactly what each guest ate."
Francis clenched his jaw, reaching out to shove the waiter, but before he could make contact, Thomas's sharp voice cut through the tension.
"Touch him, Francis, and you'll lose a finger."
Francis flinched, immediately pulling his hand back. "Fine," he spat. "Take your time. I have all night."
Selena, seated calmly nearby, gave Francis a cold, unamused smile. "Just remember, Francis, the longer you wait, the higher the penthouse charges will rise."
Francis's eyes narrowed. "What's your point?"
Selena shrugged, still smiling. "Stick to the original plan," she said simply, watching him with an air of quiet amusement.
Francis turned his attention back to Jack, his patience worn thin. "Jack, are you going to just sit there like some smug prince while the rest of us deal with this nonsense? Are you pretending you can actually pay this bill?"
Jack leaned back, his face calm and unbothered. "Yes, Francis. I can pay it."
Francis's mocking smile returned. "Oh, really? Then why don't you go ahead and do it?"
The classmates exchanged surprised glances, many of them whispering in disbelief. Only Jack's closest friends—Rueben, Sam, Victoria, and Thomas—remained calm, watching Francis dig himself deeper into trouble.
Jack met Francis's gaze with an icy smile. "If I pay for it, what do I get in return?"
Francis laughed, clearly expecting his friends to join in, but only Kelly and a few others snickered nervously. "You? Pay the whole bill? You're out of your mind, Jack. Who do you think you are?"
Jack's voice remained calm, almost bored. "You seem confident, Francis. If I pay, what do I get from you in return?"
Francis scoffed, but the unease in his voice was growing. "Fine. If by some miracle you pay this bill, I'll publicly give you my Ferrari car , it's worth one point five billion dollars"
The room grew tense, all eyes on Jack. A faint smile tugged at the corner of his mouth as he regarded Francis with a look that was both knowing and dangerous.
"I'll hold you to that," Jack said softly. Then, reaching into his pocket, he produced his platinum card, holding it up for everyone to see.
The effect was immediate. The students gasped, their disbelief plain on their faces. Francis's smirk faltered as he took in the sleek, silver-plated card glinting in Jack's hand. The platinum card—one reserved for only the wealthiest clients of the Grand Hotel chain.
"Wait," Francis stammered, his bravado fading. "That's… a platinum card?"
Jack handed the card to the waiter. "Charge the entire bill to my account," he said simply.
The waiter, wide-eyed, nodded and hurried off. The students stood in stunned silence, watching as their class pauper calmly settled the bill for all of them.
Francis's face twisted with anger and humiliation, his pride crushed as Jack leaned forward, meeting his gaze with calm confidence.
"Looks like I'm the one who paid, Francis," Jack said softly. "Now, about that promise…"
Francis's mouth opened, but no words came out. His friends shifted uncomfortably, each realizing that the game was over, and Jack had won.
Francis was speechless, his face ashen as he processed what had just happened. In a final act of silent surrender, he dropped the key to his Ferrari on the table and stormed out of the penthouse, with Kelly and his loyal friends trailing behind, their heads bowed. The classmates who remained were stunned, unable to find words as they glanced between each other, still absorbing the shock of Jack's effortless display of power.
Jack glanced at his wristwatch—it was close to 9:00 p.m. He leaned toward Victoria, who was sitting beside him, and spoke in a low voice, "We should head home. Grandma will worry if we're out too late."
Victoria nodded, rising from her seat and waiting expectantly by his side. "Go ahead to the car, Vic," Jack said gently. "I'll be right behind you."
She hesitated, casting a cautious glance toward Selena, who had stayed quietly by Jack's side the entire night. Victoria couldn't shake the slight pang of suspicion; Selena's quiet presence seemed to radiate an unspoken loyalty, and Victoria wondered if Selena harbored feelings for Jack. But she nodded and made her way toward the elevator, leaving Jack and Selena alone.
Selena took a small, beautifully carved agarwood box from her coat pocket and handed it to him, her eyes sincere. "Happy birthday, Jack," she said quietly. "Here's your present. But… open it when you get home. It's important that you do."
Jack took the box, examining its intricate design before meeting her gaze. "Thank you, Selena," he said, tucking the small box into his shirt pocket. He could sense something unusual in her tone, a seriousness that intrigued him.
He looked around at the few classmates who were still lingering, dazed from the evening's events. "When you're done, please leave the penthouse," he said, his voice steady but polite. "Thank you for being my guests."
With Rueben, Sam, Thomas, and Selena by his side, Jack made his way to the elevator. As they descended, he reached into his pocket and took out the Ferrari key Francis had abandoned.
He held it out to Sam with a slight grin. "Here. It's yours now."
Sam's mouth dropped open, staring at the key in disbelief. "Wait… are you serious?"
Jack chuckled. "Serious enough. Thomas, please take care of the paperwork and make sure it's re-registered in Sam's name by tomorrow."
Sam finally took the key, his voice filled with gratitude. "Thank you, bro. I… I don't even know what to say."
They stepped out of the elevator and into the lobby. Jack was about to head toward the exit when he stopped in his tracks, his expression darkening. Standing by the entrance were three people he never expected to see: Lucy, Fabian, and—shockingly—Victoria, who was exchanging contact information with them. They were chatting and laughing, clearly oblivious to Jack's approach.
The last thing Jack wanted was to deal with Fabian and Lucy, the very people who had betrayed him back in Racoon Village. What were they even doing in the city? And why was Victoria entertaining them?
Trying to avoid an unpleasant encounter, Jack attempted to walk past without a word. But as luck would have it, Fabian noticed him, his face breaking into a mocking grin.
"Is that… Jack?" Fabian said loudly, pointing as if he had spotted something comical. He nudged Lucy, who turned, her heart skipping a beat. She hadn't seen Jack in ages, and the sight of him—so poised and different—stirred a mix of emotions in her.
Fabian, unable to resist, sneered. "Well, well, the hood rat of Racoon Village has made it to the Grand Hotel! What are you doing here, Jack? Think this place is somewhere you can just wander in and out of?"
Ignoring Fabian, Jack walked straight toward Victoria. "Are you ready to go?" he asked her, his voice calm but his eyes holding a restrained edge.
Victoria, sensing the tension, nodded. "Yes, Jack. Let's go."
But Fabian's curiosity got the better of him. "Wait a second," he blurted, glancing between Jack and Victoria. "Did you two… come here together?"
Victoria took a deep breath, steeling herself as she met Fabian's incredulous gaze. "Yes, we did."
Fabian gaped in disbelief. "Victoria, you're actually hanging around with the famous hood rat? Don't you care about your reputation at the university?"
He struggled to believe that someone as well-connected as Victoria, the younger sister of the wealthy Richard Mason, would associate with Jack. And in Fabian's eyes, she was the perfect target—wealthy, beautiful, and high-status, everything he desired.
Lucy, who had been standing silently, was equally stunned. She had no idea Victoria knew Jack so closely. And as her eyes met Jack's, her heart tightened with regret. She had wanted to wish Jack a happy birthday earlier but couldn't get through to him, her number still blocked.
Jack turned his gaze to Lucy, who hesitated before speaking, her voice soft. "Happy birthday, Jack."
Jack gave her a brief, indifferent look before walking past her without a word. Victoria shot her a quick look, signaling she'd be in touch, and followed after him.
The rejection burned, but Fabian was livid. Seeing Jack so composed, ignoring him as if he were invisible, only stoked his fury. He took a step forward, determined not to let Jack leave so easily.
"Hey, I'm talking to you, Jack!" he shouted. But before he could get any closer, a figure stepped in front of him, blocking his path.
It was Selena, calm and composed, holding a helmet in one hand as she regarded him with an amused smile.
"Why are you so eager to chase someone greater than you, Fabian?" she asked, her voice light yet cutting.
Fabian's bravado faltered as he looked at her, struck by her striking features and cool gaze. She was tall, with an almost regal presence that was hard to ignore. "And who exactly are you?" he demanded, masking his intimidation with arrogance. "Do I know you?"
Selena's smile didn't waver, but there was a glint of warning in her eyes. "You don't need to know me. But you should know this: stay away from Jack. If you don't, things might get… unpleasant for you."
With that, she swung a leg over her Harley Davidson and revved the engine, giving Fabian one last look that sent a chill down his spine before speeding off.
Fabian turned, watching in disbelief as Jack and Victoria got into a limited edition Rolls Royce and drove off, the car's sleek frame disappearing into the distance. Lucy joined him at the entrance, her eyes sad as she watched the car fade into the night.
Softly, almost to herself, Lucy murmured, "Jack… I still care about you."
But her words were lost in the silence as Fabian scowled, grabbing her arm and pulling her toward his own car, an Audi A4. Without another word, they both climbed in, Fabian's frustration simmering as he gripped the steering wheel.
He drove in silence, his mind replaying the entire scene, unable to believe that Jack, the boy he once mocked and dismissed, could stand before him with such confidence. And Lucy, beside him, was lost in her own thoughts, her regret weighing heavily on her.