Jayden arrived at Ashford Strategic Holdings earlier than usual.
No classes that morning.
No campus noise.
No whispers.
Just work.
The bruise on his cheek had darkened overnight, a deep shade of purple against his skin. He barely noticed it anymore.
Pain was temporary.
Money wasn't.
The office was quieter than usual when he stepped off the elevator. A few employees were already seated behind glowing monitors. The air carried the faint scent of polished wood and coffee.
He walked toward his desk.
And stopped.
A woman was sitting there.
Not at his desk.
Near Adrian's office.
She was elegant. Late twenties. Long dark hair pulled into a sleek ponytail. White blouse. Black pencil skirt. Sharp heels.
She looked up slowly.
Her gaze moved from his shoes to his face.
Paused at the bruise.
One eyebrow lifted slightly.
"You're the intern."
Her voice was smooth. Controlled.
Jayden didn't answer immediately.
"Yes."
She leaned back in her chair.
"I'm Elena Brooks. Director Ashford's executive assistant."
Ah.
So this was her.
The one who scheduled his internship paperwork.
The one who never smiled during meetings.
She crossed her legs.
"He's in."
Jayden blinked.
"In?"
"He wants to see you."
Her tone made it clear she did not approve of that.
Jayden adjusted the strap of his bag and walked past her.
Just before he reached Roman's office, her voice followed him.
"Try not to embarrass yourself this time."
He didn't turn.
But he heard the quiet laughter from a nearby desk.
Roman's office door was slightly open.
Jayden knocked once.
"Come in."
He stepped inside.
Roman stood near the window, jacket off, sleeves rolled neatly to his forearms. Sunlight cut across the room, reflecting faintly against the glass desk.
Roman didn't turn immediately.
"You fought in my class."
Not a question.
Jayden closed the door behind him.
"Yes."
Roman finally faced him.
The bruise was visible.
Roman's gaze lingered on it for a second too long.
"Why?"
Jayden's jaw tightened.
"He insulted me."
"And?"
Jayden's eyes flashed.
"And?"
Roman walked closer.
"You attacked another student in a lecture hall."
"He attacked me first."
"With words."
Jayden laughed once. Dry.
"You don't understand."
Roman's expression cooled.
"Then explain."
Jayden stepped forward slightly.
"He called me charity."
Silence.
Roman didn't react.
"He said I don't belong here," Jayden continued. "That I'm only here because someone felt sorry for me."
Roman folded his arms.
"And that justified violence?"
Jayden's temper flickered again.
"So I should just stand there? Fold my hands and smile?"
Roman's voice lowered.
"You control yourself."
Jayden shook his head slowly.
"Easy for you to say."
Roman's jaw hardened.
"What is that supposed to mean?"
Jayden didn't stop.
"You've never had to fight for a seat in a classroom."
Roman's eyes darkened.
"Careful."
Jayden ignored the warning.
"You don't know what it feels like to have people remind you that you're nothing."
Roman's voice sharpened.
"I know more than you assume."
Jayden let out a bitter laugh.
"Really? Or are you on his side too?"
Roman's expression changed instantly.
"What?"
Jayden's anger spilled over now.
"I knew it. All of you rich people protect each other."
The air shifted.
Dangerous.
Roman took a slow step forward.
"Watch your tongue."
Jayden didn't.
"His father donates to this university, right? That's why you're defending him."
Roman's control snapped.
The sound of the slap echoed sharply in the room.
Jayden's head turned from the impact.
Silence followed.
Heavy.
Unforgiving.
For a second neither of them moved.
Jayden slowly lifted his hand to his cheek.
Not shocked.
Not crying.
Just staring at Roman.
Roman's chest rose and fell once.
"Get out."
His voice was ice.
Jayden held his gaze.
Something broke in that look.
Disappointment.
Anger.
Hurt.
Then Jayden turned and walked out.
---
The office floor felt different when he stepped out.
Too quiet.
Too aware.
Elena looked up immediately.
Her eyes flicked from his face to Roman's office door.
Employees pretended to work.
But they were watching.
Jayden walked to his desk calmly.
Sat down.
Opened the file Adrian gave him earlier.
If he was angry, it didn't show in his hands.
He typed.
Built models.
Analyzed risk.
His knuckles were still slightly swollen from yesterday's fight.
Now his cheek stung from something else.
Humiliation.
Across the room, Elena stood and walked into Roman's office.
The door closed.
Whispers began.
Jayden didn't look up.
He worked until the numbers made sense.
Until the report was perfect.
Then he emailed it to Adrian.
Packed his bag.
And left without speaking to anyone.
---
That evening, Roman stood alone in his office.
The city outside was dark now.
His reflection stared back at him through the glass.
He replayed the moment in his head.
The accusation.
The look in Jayden's eyes.
The slap.
Roman exhaled slowly.
He hadn't meant to lose control.
He never lost control.
A knock interrupted his thoughts.
Adrian entered.
"You asked for me."
Roman didn't turn.
"Yes."
Adrian waited.
Roman finally spoke.
"Send something to Jayden Cross."
Adrian blinked once.
"Something?"
"A gift."
Adrian studied him.
"And?"
Roman's voice lowered slightly.
"A letter."
Adrian understood.
Apology.
Without the word being spoken.
"Understood."
---
That night, Jayden sat alone in his apartment.
The lights were off.
Only the city glow from outside illuminated the room faintly.
He replayed the scene too.
The slap.
The command to leave.
He clenched his jaw.
Of course.
Rich people always protect their own.
He shouldn't have expected anything else.
A knock came at his door.
Jayden frowned.
No one visited him.
He stood slowly and opened it.
A delivery man stood there holding a large black box.
"Jayden Cross?"
"Yes."
"Sign here."
Jayden signed.
Closed the door.
Placed the box on the small kitchen table.
His heart was beating slightly faster now.
He opened it.
Inside
A tailored suit.
Expensive.
Hand-stitched.
The kind executives wore.
Beneath it, a sealed envelope.
Jayden stared at it for a long moment.
Then opened it.
Inside was a single sheet of thick paper.
Roman's handwriting.
He began to read.
And his expression slowly changed.
But before we see what the letter says
Jayden's phone vibrated.
Unknown number.
He hesitated.
Then answered.
A deep voice spoke from the other end.
"Jayden Cross."
Pause.
"You don't know me."
Jayden's grip tightened on the phone.
"But you should stay away from my son."
The line went dead.
Jayden stood frozen in the dim apartment.
Ethan's father.
A donor.
A powerful man.
And now
He was involved.
Jayden slowly looked back at the letter in his hand.
Whatever Roman had written
It suddenly didn't feel simple anymore.