Jayden's alarm rang at 7:10 a.m.
He didn't hit snooze.
The small apartment was quiet except for the buzz of the old refrigerator in the kitchen. Morning sunlight pushed through the thin curtains, painting pale lines across the floor.
For a moment he lay still, staring at the ceiling.
Then he remembered.
The internship.
Ashford Strategic Holdings.
Real money.
Jayden sat up immediately.
Sleep could wait.
Money couldn't.
He showered quickly, dressed carefully, and chose a simple dark shirt with fitted trousers. Nothing flashy. Nothing cheap-looking either.
Appearance mattered in rooms where money was discussed.
By 8:30 a.m. he stepped out into the street.
But he wasn't heading to the office.
He was heading to campus.
Because Jayden Cross was still a freshman.
And freshmen didn't skip morning lectures.
---
The university courtyard buzzed with students when he arrived.
Groups gathered around benches, some laughing, some complaining about assignments, others scrolling through their phones.
Jayden walked through them calmly.
Campus life suddenly felt smaller.
Not unimportant.
Just… slower.
He had already seen Roman's world.
And that world moved differently.
Inside the lecture hall, Michael spotted him first.
"Dude!" Michael whispered loudly. "You vanished after I left ?"
Jayden dropped into the seat beside him.
"I had things to do."
Michael leaned closer.
"You disappeared with Professor Ashford."
Jayden opened his notebook.
"So?"
Are you monitoring me or what?
Michael stared.
"So?!"
Jayden shrugged.
"He offered me an internship."
Michael blinked twice.
"Wait."
Pause.
"With him?"
"With his company."
Michael leaned back in disbelief.
"How the hell do you get internships before midterms?"
Jayden's pen moved across the page.
"Opportunity."
Michael shook his head slowly.
"You're unbelievable."
Before Jayden could respond, the classroom door opened.
Roman Ashford walked in.
Instant silence spread across the room.
Students straightened automatically.
Roman placed his briefcase on the desk.
"Good morning."
His voice carried calm authority.
Jayden didn't look at him immediately.
He kept writing.
Roman's eyes moved briefly across the room.
They paused for less than a second on Jayden.
No reaction.
No acknowledgement.
Professor Ashford had arrived.
Not Director Ashford.
Different role.
Different rules.
The lecture began.
Corporate ethics.
Power structures.
Accountability.
Jayden listened carefully.
Roman's lectures were precise.
Every word intentional.
Halfway through the class Roman asked a question.
"What is the greatest risk to corporate leadership?"
Silence.
Students glanced at each other.
Jayden raised his hand.
Roman nodded.
"Yes, Mr. Cross."
Jayden spoke calmly.
"Arrogance."
Roman tilted his head slightly.
"Explain."
"Leaders who believe they're untouchable stop questioning their decisions. That's when mistakes multiply."
The classroom stayed quiet.
Roman studied him for a moment.
"Correct."
Then he continued the lecture.
Michael leaned toward Jayden and whispered:
"You're trying to impress him."
Jayden didn't answer.
He wasn't trying.
He just understood the game.
---
Two hours later the class ended.
Students packed their bags and filtered out into the hallway.
Jayden didn't rush.
Roman was already speaking with another professor near the podium.
Jayden walked past without stopping.
No eye contact.
No conversation.
That was important.
At the university, they were just professor and student.
Outside, things were different.
---
By noon Jayden arrived downtown at Ashford Strategic Holdings.
The building towered above the surrounding streets.
Glass and steel.
Silent authority.
He stepped into the lobby and headed for the elevator.
Fourteenth floor.
When the doors opened, a man was already waiting.
Tall.
Well dressed.
Sharp eyes.
"Jayden Cross?"
"Yes."
The man extended his hand.
"Adrian Cole. Senior Strategy Manager."
Jayden shook it.
Firm grip.
Professional.
"Director Ashford informed me about you," Adrian said.
Jayden noticed something in his tone.
Not welcoming.
Evaluating.
"Follow me."
They walked through the office floor together.
Employees glanced up briefly.
Adrian stopped beside a desk near the center.
"This will be your workstation."
Jayden placed his bag down.
Adrian crossed his arms.
"Let's make something clear."
Jayden looked at him calmly.
"You're not here because I requested an intern," Adrian continued. "You're here because Roman Ashford asked me to evaluate you."
Jayden nodded slightly.
"Understood."
Adrian studied him.
"Good."
He dropped a thick file onto the desk.
"Start with this."
Jayden opened it.
Manufacturing company.
Supply chain issues.
Possible restructuring.
"You'll analyze their operational weaknesses and recommend whether we invest or avoid them," Adrian said.
Jayden flipped through the pages.
"When do you want the report?"
Adrian answered instantly.
"Tonight."
Jayden looked up.
"That's fast."
Adrian's expression didn't change.
"So is business."
He leaned slightly closer.
"Director Ashford believes you're ambitious."
Jayden met his gaze.
"I am."
Adrian nodded once.
"Good."
Then he walked away.
---
The office hummed quietly with activity.
Phones ringing softly.
Keyboards clicking.
Screens glowing with numbers and charts.
Jayden leaned forward and started reading.
Financial statements.
Shipping delays.
Production costs.
He began mapping the data.
Within an hour he noticed the first inconsistency.
Inventory numbers didn't match distribution records.
Interesting.
Jayden opened a spreadsheet.
Built a quick projection model.
Then another pattern appeared.
Transportation expenses were rising faster than profit margins.
Bad sign.
He continued digging.
Time disappeared.
Employees came and went.
Jayden barely noticed.
By late afternoon Adrian returned.
"You still alive?" he asked dryly.
Jayden didn't look up.
"Yes."
Adrian glanced at the screen.
Then his eyes narrowed slightly.
"You built a projection model already."
"Yes."
"Why?"
Jayden shrugged.
"Numbers speak louder when they're organized."
Adrian studied him quietly.
"Interesting."
He walked away again.
---
By evening the office was almost empty.
Jayden leaned back and stretched his shoulders.
His report was nearly finished.
He added one final section.
Risk analysis.
Then printed the document.
Adrian returned around 7:30 p.m.
Jayden handed him the report.
Adrian flipped through the pages slowly.
Then slower.
Then stopped on one section.
"You discovered the supply chain discrepancy."
"Yes."
Adrian looked at him.
"Most interns wouldn't notice that."
Jayden shrugged.
"I look for weaknesses."
Adrian closed the folder.
"Director Ashford will want to see this."
Jayden's eyes lifted slightly.
Adrian nodded.
"You did well today."
Then he walked away.
Jayden sat back in his chair.
The office lights dimmed slightly.
Outside, the city glittered in the distance.
He exhaled quietly.
One day.
One step.
Closer to the life he wanted.
And Jayden Cross never stopped climbing.