Ethan Bear's mocking tone carried across the cafeteria, but Mike Carter paid him no attention. Instead, he quietly picked up a napkin and wiped the corner of Amelia Song's lips, where a bit of porridge lingered.
Amelia's cheeks flushed pink, and she shyly looked down at her bowl, clearly unused to such attention.
Behind them, whispers swirled through the room.
"Look at that! The nerve of those two! One's a shameless bootlicker, and the other's a conniving mute!" someone jeered from a nearby table.
"Conniving? Seriously? Amelia hardly ever talks to anyone," another replied, a hint of doubt in their voice.
Despite the insults, Mike remained calm, refusing to let the noise disrupt his focus. Amelia fidgeted nervously, as though wanting to explain herself, but Mike raised a hand to stop her.
"Let them talk," he said softly, his eyes calm and unwavering. "People like them don't matter."
Mike's patience stemmed from his past. He knew all too well the struggles faced by the vulnerable. As someone who once had to steal food just to survive, he understood that sometimes, holding onto dignity wasn't an option. His resolve to shield Amelia from the venomous words around them only grew stronger.
After lunch, the two parted ways, agreeing to meet again the next morning. That evening, Mike went out shopping for fruits and snacks. He couldn't explain why, but he felt a strange desire to see Amelia smile more often.
Over the next few days, their breakfast ritual became a cherished routine. No matter how early Mike arrived at the cafeteria, Amelia always seemed to be waiting for him, her delicate figure framed by the soft morning light. On the fourth day, Mike decided he needed to step up his game. He spent the night before searching through stores, carefully picking out treats he thought she might like.
Meanwhile, across campus, Sophia Rivers was dragging Leila Stewart through a stationery store.
"Why are we here so early?" Leila whined, her voice heavy with annoyance. "Did you hit your head or something?"
Sophia ignored her friend's complaints, her eyes scanning the shelves until they landed on a box of colorful strips of paper for folding stars.
"Leila, do you know how to fold these?" Sophia asked, holding up the box.
Leila's jaw dropped. "What? Are you serious right now? You're a grown woman, Sophia! You should be thinking about designer handbags, not elementary school arts and crafts!"
Sophia's cheeks turned slightly pink, but she didn't back down. "Just show me how to do it," she insisted.
Leila sighed dramatically. "Fine. But only because you're my best friend. Seriously, though, who are you folding these for? Wait a minute… are you in love?"
Sophia quickly turned away, pretending to examine another shelf. "Don't be ridiculous," she muttered, but her voice lacked conviction.
Before Leila could press further, their attention was drawn to the TV in the store, which was broadcasting a news report. The screen displayed a press conference for Veronica Rivers' pharmaceutical company, which was set to announce a major breakthrough.
Sophia's eyes lit up with pride. Her sister had been riding high on a wave of success, and this announcement was supposed to solidify Veronica's place at the top of the industry.
But then, the unthinkable happened.
"Breaking news," the anchor announced, his voice grave. "Veronica Rivers' groundbreaking acquisition of the rare metal californium has been exposed as a fraud. Multiple investment firms have withdrawn their support, and the Rivers family now faces potential bankruptcy."
Sophia's face went pale as the words sank in. Her knees buckled, and she collapsed to the floor.
"Sophia!" Leila screamed, rushing to catch her friend. A clerk quickly called for an ambulance.
By the time the ambulance arrived, Sophia had regained consciousness, but she was still visibly shaken. As paramedics loaded her into the vehicle, Mike happened to walk by. Recognizing Sophia, he stopped and asked Leila what had happened.
Leila's eyes narrowed. "Why do you care? This is all your fault anyway!" she snapped. "You and your stupid gift ruined everything! The Rivers family is finished because of you!"
Mike frowned, confused by her accusation. He hadn't heard the news yet, but he knew something was wrong. "What are you talking about?"
Leila scoffed. "Don't play dumb, Mike. That fake californium you gave Sophia—it's all over the news! Her sister used it to secure investments, and now everyone knows it's a scam. The investors are suing, the company's collapsing, and Sophia's paying the price for your lies!"
Mike's blood ran cold. Fake? That was impossible. He'd trusted Howard Dean to procure the metal, and the Huntington family's reputation for quality was ironclad. If something had gone wrong, it wasn't on his end.
Later that day, Mike made a call to Howard Dean, who answered on the first ring.
"Howard, we have a problem," Mike said without preamble. "The californium—it's been labeled fake."
Howard's voice remained calm but carried a sharp edge. "Impossible. The Huntington family doesn't deal in counterfeits. If someone's calling it fake, they're lying."
"Then find out who," Mike demanded. "I want answers. Now."
Howard didn't hesitate. "Consider it done."
As Mike hung up, a realization hit him. There was only one person with the motive and resources to pull off such a scheme: Ethan Bear.
In a luxurious private lounge across town, Ethan reclined on a leather sofa, a smug grin plastered across his face. He held up the stolen californium, letting the light catch its surface.
"Oh, Mike," he murmured, his voice dripping with mockery. "Did you really think you could outplay me?"
Next to him, a model giggled and fed him a grape, clearly unaware of the storm brewing on the horizon. Ethan's phone buzzed, and he lazily picked it up, smirking when he saw Mike's name on the screen.
"Well, well, if it isn't the infamous Mike Carter," Ethan drawled as he answered the call. "What can I do for you, old friend?"
"Cut the crap, Ethan," Mike said coldly. "You have something that belongs to me."
Ethan feigned innocence. "I have no idea what you're talking about."
Mike's voice hardened. "Fine. Keep playing dumb. Just know this—I'm coming for you. And when I'm done, there won't be a single asset under the Bear family name."
Ethan's grin faltered. "Big words, Mike. Let's see if you can back them up."
As Mike ended the call, his eyes burned with determination. Turning to Howard, who had already begun mobilizing resources, he said, "Let's show them what the Huntingtons are capable of."