The tension dissolved as Carlos and his group disappeared down the street.
For a few seconds… nobody moved.
Then the massive boy, the one who had stepped in casually dusted his hands, as if he had merely rearranged furniture rather than intimidated half the crowd.
Without a word, he turned and began walking away.
Misheal blinked.
"Wait… that's it?"
Marco, still catching his breath, muttered,
"Heroes don't wait for applause, apparently."
But Misheal was already marching after him.
She caught up quickly.
"Hey!"
The boy slowed, glancing sideways with mild curiosity.
Up close, he looked even more absurdly built—the kind of physique that made gym memberships feel pointless.
"Thanks," Misheal said.
"For stepping in back there."
He studied her for a moment.
Then smiled.
Dangerously charming.
"For you?" he replied smoothly.
"Anytime."
Misheal froze for half a second.
Recovered.
"For me? Hmm… that's confident. Why me?"
"You're irresistible," he said, smiling.
She folded her arms, returning the smile.
"You flirt. Is that how you roll with girls?"
"Not always."
He stepped closer.
"But I fell in love today."
Misheal's heartbeat betrayed her immediately.
She hated that.
Loved that.
"Lover boy… isn't that a bit too early?"
He leaned in slightly close enough for her to notice the faint scent of cologne.
Just as Misheal's brain short-circuited
He shifted.
His lips passed her cheek.
He leaned to her ear.
"Your brother looks like he wants to kill me."
Misheal burst into laughter.
"He's dramatic," Misheal said.
The boy pulled back, amused.
"Hmm. I was going to kiss you."
She grinned.
"And who permitted you to do that?"
"I don't think I'd need permission for that. Besides… I can handle a slap from you."
"I wasn't going to slap you. I enjoy your confidence."
"So… is that a yes?"
Misheal laughed.
"Don't get cocky."
"I won't. No pressure."
Misheal smiled.
"What's your name?"
He gave a half shrug.
"You can call me Hugo."
And just like that, he turned and walked away long strides, effortless confidence vanishing into the thinning crowd.
Misheal stared after him.
"…Oh, I like him."
She turned and went back to the others.
Marco immediately crossed his arms.
"No."
"No what?" Misheal asked innocently.
"Whatever you're thinking. No."
Maria giggled softly.
Andre said nothing.
The Dimitri Company
Mr. Sergei Dimitri sat behind his massive desk, flipping through a file with calm precision.
Polished marble floors reflected the ceiling lights like still water. Glass walls stretched from floor to ceiling, revealing a city that bowed beneath wealth and power.
A knock.
"Come in."
The door opened, and two men walked in like they owned the place.
Mr. Roberts first smiling, relaxed, the type of man who joked even in serious meetings.
Behind him, Mr. William sharper eyes, slower steps, the kind of man who calculated before he spoke.
"Sergei," Roberts said, spreading his arms slightly, "still pretending to work hard?"
Sergei didn't look up immediately.
"Roberts… still pretending to be funny?"
A pause.
Then both men smirked.
William closed the door behind them.
"No greetings for me? Or do I need an appointment too?"
Sergei finally looked up, a faint smile touching his lips.
"William… you don't need an appointment."
"You need permission."
Roberts let out a loud laugh.
"Oh, this is why I like coming here."
William pulled a chair and sat.
"Let's see if your numbers are as sharp as your mouth."
Sergei slid the file across the desk.
"Quarterly revenue. Oil exports increased by twelve percent. Real estate doubled in value. And the tech branch…"
He tapped the paper.
"…is outperforming projections."
Roberts raised a brow.
"Twelve percent? That's not growth… that's greed."
Sergei leaned back.
"Greed built empires."
William picked up the file, scanning quickly.
"…And risks destroy them," he replied calmly.
Sergei's eyes sharpened slightly.
"Only for men who don't understand control."
Roberts clapped once.
"Ah, there it is. The king has spoken."
He leaned forward.
"So tell me… how many competitors did you crush to get that twelve percent?"
Sergei's smile didn't reach his eyes.
"Enough."
A brief silence passed.
Then Roberts waved it off.
"Business aside… how's the family?"
The atmosphere shifted.
Softer.
But not completely.
Sergei exhaled lightly.
"My daughter is doing well."
A hint of pride.
"She nearly died the other day."
Both men straightened instantly.
"…What?" William asked.
Sergei's voice stayed calm but his eyes darkened.
"A trailer lost control. She was in the middle of the road."
Roberts leaned forward.
"And?"
"She survived."
A pause.
"Because someone intervened."Silence.
William nodded slowly.
"Who?"
Sergei's jaw tightened slightly.
"That's what I intend to find out."
Roberts leaned back, whistling softly.
"Well… whoever he is, he just bought himself a lifetime of protection."
Sergei's voice dropped.
"More than that."
A beat.
"He saved my daughter."
The weight of those words lingered.
Then Roberts suddenly smiled again.
"Well… speaking of daughters…"
William groaned lightly.
"Here we go."
Roberts leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk.
"My Rihanna is back in town."
Sergei raised a brow.
"The same one that spends more time on planes than at home?"
Roberts grinned.
"She calls it 'exploring the world.' I call it 'burning my money.'"
William smirked.
"At least she's not burning your reputation."
Roberts shot him a look.
"Oh? Should we talk about your sons?"
William leaned back, unbothered.
"My sons are fine."
Sergei chuckled softly.
"Carlos… and Pacho, right?"
William nodded.
"They're growing."
He leaned back confidently.
"Carlos is already stepping into my world. Calculated. Controlled."
A pause.
"And Pacho…"
He chuckled.
"Well… Pacho is Pacho."
The room laughed.
Roberts smirked.
"And dangerous, I hear."
William didn't deny it.
"Better dangerous than useless."
Sergei tapped his desk thoughtfully.
"Speaking of sons…"
Both men looked at him.
"My Maxim is back as well."
Roberts grinned.
"Ah, the prodigal son."
William smirked slightly.
"The one who prefers nightlife over education?"
Sergei's eyes flickered but he smiled.
"He prefers experience."
Roberts laughed.
"Of course he does."
Then
William leaned forward slightly.
"So… let's settle this."
Sergei raised a brow.
"Settle what?"
William smirked.
"Our children."
Roberts immediately caught on, grinning.
"Oh, I like where this is going."
William rested his arm on the chair.
"My son carlos…"
A pause.
"…and your daughter Esmeralda."
Sergei chuckled.
"You're dreaming Esmeralda is my jewel and she's too young."
Then William glanced between them.
"So…"
A slow smile formed.
"You know the right match up?"
Roberts raised a brow.
"Meaning?"
William tapped the table lightly.
"Your daughter. My son."
Roberts leaned back, amused.
"Pacho and Rihanna?"
William nodded.
"A perfect match."
Before Roberts could respond
Dimitri let out a low chuckle.
"Perfect?"
He shook his head.
"If we're talking about perfect matches…"
He leaned forward slightly.
"My son Maxim is far more suitable."
Roberts burst out laughing.
"This is gold."
William tilted his head.
"My son is disciplined. Focused. Strong."
Sergei leaned forward slightly.
"My son is smarter. Richer.
"My son Maxim is far more suitable."
"A man should lead. Not follow."
William's smile thinned.
"Are you implying my son follows?"
"I'm stating," Dimitri said calmly,
"that Maxim doesn't."
Roberts raised both hands slightly, smiling.
"Gentlemen… let's not start a war over children."
He took a sip of his drink.
"Besides…"
A grin.
"Manliness doesn't win everything."
He tapped his temple.
"Charm does."
William laughed.
"You think Pacho lacks charm?"
Roberts smirked.
"I think Rihanna will decide that."
Dimitri leaned back slowly.
"No."
Silence.
"She won't."
Both men looked at him.
Dimitri's eyes were calm.
Certain.
"When the time comes… she'll choose strength."
"She'll choose Maxim."
Roberts' smile widened.
"Oh… now this is interesting."
He leaned forward.
"Let's make it more interesting."
William grinned immediately.
"Now we're talking."
Dimitri's eyes flickered with amusement.
"…Go on."
Roberts placed his glass down.
"A bet."
Silence thickened.
"What kind?" Dimitri asked.
Roberts smiled.
"A simple one."
"Whoever Rihanna chooses…"
A pause.
"…wins."
William chuckled.
"And the loser?"
Roberts' eyes gleamed.
"The ranch."
Silence.
Even the air felt heavier.
Dimitri stared at him for a moment
Then smiled.
Sharp.
Confident.
"Done."
William laughed loudly, raising his glass.
"To family…"
Roberts raised his.
"To business…"
Dimitri lifted his last.
"To winning.
Next Day — Entrance Exam Results
The courtyard buzzed with nervous energy.
Students clustered around the massive results board like gamblers awaiting fate.
Marco squeezed through the crowd at the notice board.
Misheal bounced behind him.
Andre stood back, hands in his pockets… completely unconcerned.
Marco scanned the list.
Then froze.
Then leaned very close.
"…No way."
Misheal shoved him aside.
"Move!"
Her eyes widened.
"NINETY-NINE PERCENT?!"
Maria gasped.
"WHO?!"
Marco pointed slowly.
"Andre???"
Maria's mouth fell open.
"That's… that's basically illegal."
Marco stared.
"What kind of brain do you have?"
Andre shrugged.
"A normal one. Like yours."
Misheal slapped his arm.
"You psychopath! You didn't even look worried yesterday!"
"Why would I be?"
Marco squinted suspiciously.
"Did you cheat?"
Andre gave him a flat look.
Marco raised his hands.
"Hey! Just asking. Nobody gets ninety-nine!"
Misheal scanned again.
"MARIA — NINETY-SEVEN!"
Maria's eyes lit up.
"Really?!"
She nearly collapsed with relief.
"I thought I failed math…"
Misheal grinned.
"… Well I go seventy-eight."
Marco nodded slowly.
"Oh God please let me pass. If I pass I won't flirt with any girl again.
Then she continued
"…Marco, Sixty-three."
Silence.
Marco blinked.
"That's… still a pass, right?"
Misheal tilted her head.
"Barely."
Marco straightened instantly.
(Shouting) "I passed."
Maria tried not to laugh.
But instead burst out into laughter
Marco grabbed her hair " Don't get all cocky just because u passed me in this one ."
Students nearby whispered.
Pointed.
Stared at Andre.
"Who the hell is that guy?"
"Ninety-nine???"
"Is that even possible…?"
Marco leaned toward Andre.
"Congratulations. I now officially hate you. You've got all the girls looking at you."
Misheal smacked his head.
"You pervert."
Maria smiled brightly.
"You better stay focused, Marco."
Andre allowed the faintest smile.
Just barely.
Maria pinched in " Did our just smile."
"No I didn't."
"Yes you did I saw it."
A familiar voice cut through the noise.
"Well… well…"
Misheal turned first.
And immediately straightened.
"…Hugo."
He stood there, hands in his pockets, wearing the relaxed confidence of someone who had never doubted anything in his life.
Marco narrowed his eyes.
"You."
Hugo grinned.
"Me."
Misheal tried and failed to hide her smile.
"So… did you pass?"
Hugo tilted his head dramatically.
"Pass?"
He pointed lazily at the board.
"Eighty-one."
Marco blinked.
"How am I the lowest here?"
They all burst into laughter.
Misheal clapped suddenly.
"Great! We're celebrating big today."
Marco groaned.
"With what money?"
Slowly…
All eyes turned
To Andre.
Andre blinked.
"…No."
Misheal grinned wickedly.
"Ninety-nine percent genius buys snacks."
Maria nodded eagerly.
Marco smirked.
"That's the rule. I didn't make it."
Andre sighed "…You people are parasites."
Misheal grabbed his arm.
"Yes."
A grin.
"But lovable ones."
And after a long time of pure blackout Andre finds himself in a normal teenage chaos.