Back at the Carter manor, the house had long settled into silence when Prim slipped through the corridor like a shadow. He eased his door shut behind him—only for the lights to snap on.
His room came alive in sharp contrast. Black and white ruled everything. Matte-black walls broken by clean white panels, a sleek ceiling with recessed lights glowing cold and even. A low black bed sat centered, white sheets tucked with military precision. A white bean bag rested near the balcony doors, glass stretching from floor to ceiling, sheer curtains drifting slightly with the night breeze. A black desk lined one wall, spotless except for a single laptop and neatly stacked files. Even his gym bag—black with white stitching—leaned perfectly against the wall, untouched.
Ava sat on the white bean bag, legs crossed, sipping orange juice like she owned the place.
"You went racing," she said, lifting a brow. "I'm telling Mom."
Prim nearly jumped out of his skin. He kicked off a shoe and hurled it at her. Ava laughed and dodged easily.
"Why are you in my room, creep?" Prim snapped.
"I need your help," she said sweetly. "And I won't tell Grandma, Mom, Dad, or Granddad where you were."
Prim exhaled, rubbing his face. "Fine. I'll do it. Results next week."
"I haven't told you what it is," Ava said, bouncing onto the bed. "And I need it now."
When Prim didn't react, she smacked him with a pillow.
That was it.
The room exploded into chaos—pillows flying, laughter muffled, curses whispered. Prim caught Ava by the collar and dragged her out like an unruly chicken, dumping her into the hallway and slamming the door.
At a café across town, Asher sat hunched over his phone, fingers moving fast as a game flashed across the screen. His phone vibrated—once, twice, endlessly. He ignored it until the call forced its way through.
"Why aren't you answering your assistant's calls?" a man demanded.
"I'm not leaving the country because of your other family," Asher replied flatly. "And I don't need your help."
"Your mother asked me to take care of you before she died."
"She's dead," Asher said mockingly. "Does her request still count?"
Silence stretched.
"I'll send money to your account," the man finally said.
"Good," Asher replied calmly. "Everyone should know their role I don't need you in my life and you don't need me in yours the only time is moral ground." He cut the call and went back to his game.
Then he paused.
King stood nearby—with his men.
Asher smiled. Not friendly. Interested. He waved casually.
"Fresh air?" one of them asked, already closing in.
They didn't wait for an answer.
The alley swallowed them whole. The sound of metal striking bone echoed, followed by screams that cut off too quickly.
An hour later, Asher stepped back into the street, tossing a bloodied pole aside. Behind him, bodies lay twisted—teeth broken, limbs bent wrong.
"Definitely won't be coming to school for a while," Asher muttered. "Don't blame me. I'm different inside and outside school."
The next morning, Ava stood in the teacher's office, posture straight, expression calm.
"As student union president," the head teacher said, "you should support students with potential. There are rumors about Asher cheating. I asked him to join the school competition—your team could help clear his name."
"I understand," Ava replied evenly. "But you can't force people. I'll keep an eye on him."
The teachers nodded. Ava bowed and left.
Grade 12, Class One buzzed as usual.
Daisy waved Ava over. Students crowded in immediately.
"Did you hear?" Daisy whispered. "King and his lackeys were beaten so badly they needed surgery. Cameras showed them entering the alley alone. The pole used had only their fingerprints—like they beat themselves up."
Ava frowned. "Impossible," she murmured. "That would take a professional."
A boy burst in. "Check your phones! King's family—and his friends'—are facing bankruptcy. All their crimes are out!"
Gasps filled the room.
"Only one family can do that—the Carters," Mia said sharply.
Silence fell.
Ava looked up. "Why are you looking at me?"
Mia folded her arms. "Am I wrong? King beat Asher because of you. You spread rumors of Asher cheating as you can't stand losing,when king beat Asher for you in a way you got involved in the mess you threatened to kill him , he can't stand it and threaten you So you destroyed him."
"Sometimes," Daisy snapped, "you need to shut the hell up."
"I'm telling the truth," Mia smirked.
Ava didn't raise her voice. "Who let the dog out today? It's barking loudly must have rabies hey Mia go check yourself in the hospital don't spread your disease."
Laughter rippled.
Mia stepped closer, pushing her friend who was trying to stop her "You're a slut and a fake saint act like a golden girl perfect in everything but you have a dark heart dated Rick and when he was no use dumped him and God knows what u did that he had to travel out of the country, now King probably dated him too if not why would he helping you"
"If I wanted to destroy him," Ava cut in calmly, "would I leave proof? And if I did—you'd be next."
"And for being called a slut btw the two of us who is one slept with my brother and got dumped to get back at him slept with his friends then get dumped,then slept with his friends friend, then slept you way around..."
Mia screamed for her to stop.
Ava leaned back, arms folded her voice almost a whisper."It took three buildings for you to enter this school. It'll take six if I'm being nice.cause One word from me, and you're gone. So sit down."
The class burst into laughter.
Mia stomped her foot and stormed out.
The girls' bathroom echoed with a sharp crash.
"How dare she—how dare she—HOW DARE SHE!"
Mia's voice rang against the tiled walls as a bottle of liquid soap flew across the room and smashed against the mirror. Sanitizer followed, then a roll of paper towels. Clear liquid dripped down the glass, streaking her furious reflection into something warped and ugly.
Her chest rose and fell violently. She braced both hands on the sink, fingers trembling, then dragged them through her perfectly styled hair until a few strands came loose.
"I'm going to kill you, bitch," she hissed, staring at herself. "If I don't, then my name is not Mia."
She forced herself to breathe, in and out, slow and deep. The bell had already rung; the hallway outside was quieter now. Grinding her teeth, Mia grabbed her bag and stormed out of the girls' bathroom.
The corridor lights were bright, reflecting off the polished floor. As she turned the corner near the restrooms, she collided straight into someone tall.
Her hand shot out on instinct, gripping his sleeve.
Asher.
He had been about to enter the boys' bathroom, one hand already pushing the door when she caught him.
"Hey—wait," Mia said quickly, smoothing her expression as if flipping a switch. Her tone softened, calculated. "Let's talk."
Asher looked down at her hand on his arm, then at her face, his expression unreadable.
"I know what your classmates are doing to you," Mia continued, stepping closer, lowering her voice. "You don't like it. They're bullying you because you did better than Ava. This school is brain-dead—everyone thinks Ava is better than everyone else."
She reached up, fingers brushing his collar, straightening it as if they were close.
"Work with me," she said, smiling. "And I promise your school life will be smooth. Easy."
As she looked up at him properly, her breath caught.
Was he always this handsome?
Sharp brows. Calm eyes. That lazy, dangerous air.
For a split second, she froze.
Asher stepped back.
"Instead of helping me," he said coolly, "you can't even help yourself."
Mia's smile stiffened.
"And stop acting like you're doing me a favor. We both know you hate Ava because you feel insecure." His lips curved mockingly. "Every dirt-bug eater hates the light."
He pushed open the boys' bathroom door and walked in, leaving her standing there.
Mia stood frozen for two full seconds.
Then her face twisted.
"How dare you—HOW DARE YOU!" she screamed, kicking the girls' bathroom door hard enough to make it rattle. "A poor nobody dares insult me? Another brainwashed Ava fan!"
She sucked in a breath, forcing herself to calm down again. Her fingers trembled as she pulled out her phone.
Don't blame me for being dirty.
With a sharp turn, she walked away.
A few minutes later, Asher stepped out of the boys' bathroom, adjusting his sleeves.
He stopped.
At the far end of the hallway stood Ava.
Sunlight poured in from the tall windows behind her, wrapping her in gold. Her milky skin almost glowed under it. Long, honey-colored hair fell straight and silky like waterfall over her shoulder reaching her wow, partially covering her face and making it look smaller, softer.
She was sipping orange juice, the straw between her lips. When she bit it lightly, her naturally red lips pouted without effort. A small pink-diamond nose piercing caught the light, glittering against her glassy, flawless skin.
Asher's gaze locked with hers.
Ava lifted her eyes slowly.
She stepped aside as if to pass him—then stopped him with one hand.
He moved again.
She blocked him again.
"What now?" Asher asked flatly.
"The teacher wants you to participate in the school competition," Ava said calmly. "So show up. If you can't, tell him directly. He shouldn't be sending me on errands."
She tilted her head back slightly, her neck already sore from looking up at him.
Damn it, she thought. I hate tall people.
Asher nodded once and walked past her.
A second later, Ava's phone vibrated.
She answered.
It was the investigator.
As she read the report, her fingers slowly clenched around the phone.
So it's you.
No wonder she had always hated him. The guy who always took first place. Sometimes they tied—but he never, ever came second they hated each other in the online competition were champions all over the world gather to compete against each other.
So he was the one.
Her jaw tightened.
Did he not remember her because he thought the real her was too stupid to notice?
If his online profile was anything to go by, then yes—definitely.
"Damn it," Ava muttered, stomping her foot lightly on the floor. "That's so unfair."
She took a deep breath and headed back to class.
But she couldn't focus.
Her eyes kept drifting to Asher.
He felt her gaze burning into him and finally raised his hand.
"Teacher," he said, "may I change seats?"
The teacher frowned, annoyed at the interruption, but waved him off.
The entire class watched as Asher picked up his bag and moved to the back.
Ava opened her mouth—then closed it.
"Bastard," she muttered.
When the bell rang, Ava went straight to the teachers' office.
He sighed heavily, rubbing his forehead.
"He refuses to join the school competition. I thought this was his moment."
Ava smiled softly.
"He doesn't want to join because he plans to enter the city competition," she said. "Where all schools compete. I think he should join. He's worth it."
The teacher hesitated. His doubt was obvious.
"I wanted him in the school competition to clear the cheating rumors," he said. "The city competition is—"
"Trust me," Ava said calmly. "If you want, I can ask the principal for his opinion."
"No, no," the teacher said quickly. "I trust you. Fine. Let him sign."
Ava nodded, smiling as she took the file.
She wanted to see Asher's true skill.
And she wanted to prove—without doubt—that she was better than him.
If he didn't like it?
He could bite her if he can
---