The sun rose over New Era City, painting golden rays across the skyline.
From 160 floors above the ground, Arya stood near the window, eyes wide open, watching the city wake up beneath her feet. It felt like standing on the clouds.
Just yesterday, she was sitting on a plastic stool in a slum shack. Now she was sipping warm milk in silk pajamas.
She turned toward the kitchen and saw Reyan, already dressed, stirring eggs in a luxury kitchen with a tablet next to him.
"Reyan... are we seriously living here now?"
He nodded. "We're safe now. Forever."
She wanted to ask a hundred questions, but something told her… not today.
"Eat fast," Reyan said, grinning. "Your new car is waiting."
---
Outside Zenith-9 Tower – 7:55 AM
An obsidian-black Rolls-Royce HoverLimo sat at the curb. Its doors opened automatically when Arya approached. The guards bowed slightly as she entered.
The driver was AI.
> "Welcome, Miss Arya. Estimated arrival at Eden District Academy: 18 minutes."
---
Eden District Academy
An elite private school for the wealthy and powerful. Arya was one of the only scholarship students—and the only one who came from the slums.
She had often walked to school, holding her books in a torn bag. Her classmates wore designer uniforms and carried latest-model smartglasses. She was mocked for everything—her worn shoes, her patched skirt, her old lunchbox.
And worst of all, Ritika Sharma, the daughter of a local politician and self-proclaimed queen of the school, never missed a chance to humiliate her.
But today… the story changed.
---
School Gate – 8:13 AM
Students stopped talking.
A whisper passed through the crowd.
"Who's that?"
"Wait… isn't that Arya?"
"No way—look at that limo!"
"Is she a celebrity now?"
Arya stepped out, unsure of what to say. She wore the same uniform, but something had changed. Her hair was styled. Her shoes were designer. Her bag was custom-leather.
A teacher stepped forward.
"Miss Arya… new vehicle?"
"Uh… yes. My brother arranged it."
The teacher gulped. "Well. Welcome."
---
Classroom – 9:00 AM
Ritika Sharma was already in her seat, gossiping loudly as usual.
"Did you hear? A charity case just arrived in a limo. Probably borrowed from a funeral."
The door opened.
Arya entered.
And the room went quiet.
Even Ritika stared, lips frozen mid-laugh. For the first time, Arya didn't shrink away. She walked past them all and sat gracefully at her seat.
The teacher walked in. "Alright, settle down—"
But suddenly, Ritika stood up.
Everyone gasped.
She walked slowly toward Arya. Her face pale. Her voice lower than usual.
"Um… Arya."
Arya looked up.
"I just wanted to say… about before… I might've said things that were… wrong. And I think… maybe I judged you."
The entire class froze.
Ritika Sharma—the bully—was apologizing?
"I'm sorry," she said at last.
Arya blinked, stunned. "Why now?"
Ritika forced a smile. "No reason. I just realized… you're cooler than I thought."
But behind her, her friend group whispered:
> "Ritika's dad said someone just bought their family's construction company overnight."
"The buyer's name was… Ryu Holdings or something."
"And their bank accounts got frozen for a few minutes. Like magic."
"Someone powerful is protecting Arya…"
Arya didn't know that.
But Reyan did.
---
Meanwhile…
Back at Zenith-9, Reyan sat before the giant transparent screen of the Infinity Wealth Core.
> [Transaction: Ryu Holdings has purchased Sharma Infrastructure Ltd. silently. CEO downgraded. Board cleared.]
> "She won't bully Arya again."
He leaned back and smiled.
> "System, prepare scholarship funds for every poor kid at that school. Secretly. Make it anonymous."
> [Processing...]
> [Done.]