Evening.
The Reed Family Mansion stood quietly beneath the darkening sky.
Inside the study, Adrian Reed sat on a leather sofa with a glass of water on the table in front of him. A laptop rested on his knees, displaying information about Westbridge International University.
His expression was calm, but his eyes were focused.
On the screen was a photograph of a young man.
Lucas Reed.
His biological younger brother.
Adrian stared at the photograph for a moment before closing the laptop.
"He's becoming more troublesome than I expected."
Initially, Adrian hadn't considered Lucas a serious threat.
Lucas had grown up in an ordinary family. He lacked the connections, education, and experience that the Reed family expected from its future heir.
Even after returning to the family, Lucas had struggled to adjust to his new life.
Adrian had believed that, sooner or later, Lucas would make a mistake.
And when that happened, Adrian would simply need to stand aside and let everyone see the difference between them.
Unfortunately, things hadn't gone according to plan.
Lucas had joined the Martial Arts Club.
He was slowly making friends.
And most importantly, Ryan Carter had entered his life.
Adrian leaned back.
"Ryan Carter..."
He remembered the young man who had intervened when Lucas was being humiliated at Aurora Lounge.
Ryan hadn't merely defended Lucas. He had challenged the people responsible and exposed the weakness in their reasoning.
Then there was the basketball match.
Ryan possessed skills that seemed unusual for someone with his background.
And although Adrian couldn't prove it, he suspected that Ryan was deliberately helping Lucas become more confident.
"Is he genuinely Lucas's friend?"
Adrian tapped his fingers against the armrest.
"Or does he have another reason?"
He didn't know the answer.
That uncertainty bothered him more than he wanted to admit.
Adrian had spent years learning how to read people. He understood ambition, jealousy, greed, and fear.
But Ryan was difficult to categorize.
He didn't behave like someone desperate to climb the social ladder.
Yet he was clearly interested in building connections with powerful people.
He defended Lucas, but he also approached talented students.
He appeared relaxed, but his decisions often seemed carefully calculated.
Adrian smiled faintly.
"Interesting."
He opened his laptop again.
This time, he brought up the schedule for the upcoming university club activities.
Lucas had recently become more involved with the Martial Arts Club. Several senior members had already begun recognizing his dedication.
Adrian read the information carefully.
Then an idea occurred to him.
He didn't need to attack Lucas directly.
Doing so would only make him look like a jealous older brother.
Instead, he could create a situation where Lucas would have to prove himself.
A situation where Lucas's weaknesses would become visible without Adrian needing to say a single negative word about him.
Adrian picked up his phone and called someone.
The call connected after a few seconds.
"Hello, Young Master Reed."
"Are the preparations for the upcoming interclub exhibition underway?"
"Yes. The university has confirmed the schedule."
"Good."
Adrian paused.
"I want Lucas included in the event."
There was a brief silence on the other end.
"Lucas Reed? The new member of the Martial Arts Club?"
"That's right."
"May I ask why?"
Adrian smiled.
"Because he's my brother. Shouldn't I support his university activities?"
His voice sounded perfectly reasonable.
The person on the other end didn't dare question him further.
"Understood. I'll make sure his name is included."
"Thank you."
Adrian ended the call.
For several seconds, he stared at his phone.
Then he placed it on the table.
"Let's see how you perform, Lucas."
His intention wasn't to hurt Lucas physically.
At least, not directly.
He wanted to test him.
Could Lucas handle pressure?
Could he perform when people were watching?
And could he maintain his composure when the expectations of the Reed family rested on his shoulders?
If Lucas failed, Adrian wouldn't need to sabotage him.
The result would speak for itself.
But if Lucas succeeded...
Adrian's smile faded slightly.
Then Ryan Carter would become an even more interesting variable.
After all, Adrian wasn't the only person who had begun paying attention to Lucas.
Someone else was helping him grow.
And Adrian wanted to understand why.
He closed his laptop and stood up.
"Let's play a little game, Lucas."
He walked toward the door.
"Show me what you're capable of."
Meanwhile, at Westbridge International University...
The atmosphere was considerably less serious.
"Jack!"
A girl's voice echoed across the campus path.
Jack Smith turned around.
A familiar girl was hurrying toward him.
Long hair swayed behind her as she approached, carrying a small paper bag.
It was Lyar Harper.
Jack raised a hand.
"Hey! You found me."
Lyar stopped in front of him.
"Of course I found you. You told me to meet you here."
"Right."
Jack nodded seriously.
"I was testing your memory."
Lyar stared at him.
"Really?"
"No."
"You're unbelievable."
Jack burst out laughing.
Lyar tried to maintain a serious expression.
She failed.
A small smile appeared on her face.
Jack noticed it immediately.
"Wait a second."
"What?"
"You smiled!"
Lyar's expression instantly returned to normal.
"I did not."
"I saw it."
"You imagined it."
"I'm a witness to my own eyes!"
"Then you should get your eyes checked."
Jack placed a hand over his chest.
"That's cruel. I helped you when you were injured, and this is how you treat me?"
Lyar tilted her head.
"Would you prefer that I repay you by buying you dinner?"
Jack immediately straightened.
"Absolutely."
She blinked.
"I was joking."
"And I was being sincere."
Lyar laughed.
For some reason, talking to Jack was easier than she had expected.
He was noisy, ridiculous, and occasionally impossible to understand.
But he never made her feel as though she had to be someone important.
He didn't know her family background.
He didn't know the expectations placed upon her.
To him, she was simply Lyar.
And she liked that.
"Come on," Jack said, pointing toward the nearby shopping street outside the university.
"There's a café I want to visit."
"Why?"
"Because I heard they have amazing desserts."
Lyar looked suspiciously at him.
"Did you invite me here just to eat?"
Jack considered the question.
Then he nodded.
"Mostly."
"Mostly?"
"Well, I also wanted to see whether you were feeling better."
Lyar fell silent for a moment.
Jack rubbed the back of his neck.
"You know, after what happened the other night."
His expression became a little more serious.
"Are you really okay now?"
Lyar looked at him.
Then she smiled gently.
"I'm fine. Thank you for helping me."
Jack waved his hand.
"It's nothing."
But Lyar noticed that his ears had turned slightly red.
She decided not to mention it.
Instead, she pointed toward the café.
"Let's go before you change your mind."
Jack immediately recovered his usual confidence.
"Excellent! A woman who understands the importance of dessert!"
Lyar shook her head.
"You're strange."
"Thank you."
"That wasn't a compliment."
"I accept it anyway."
And the two walked toward the café together.
Neither of them noticed that a few students nearby had begun whispering about them.
Inside the café, Jack and Lyar sat at a table near the window.
Two plates of cake stood between them.
Jack had ordered chocolate cake.
Lyar had chosen strawberry cheesecake.
For several minutes, they enjoyed their desserts while discussing university life.
Then Jack noticed something.
Lyar was eating the strawberry cheesecake very slowly.
She took a small bite, paused, and smiled.
Jack narrowed his eyes.
"Lyar."
"Hmm?"
"Is that cake really good?"
She looked down at her plate.
"Yes."
"How good?"
Lyar thought about it.
"Good enough that I don't want to share."
Jack stared at her.
Then he looked at his own chocolate cake.
He looked back at hers.
Finally, his gaze settled on the single strawberry resting on top of her cheesecake.
A dangerous idea entered his mind.
"Lyar."
"No."
"I haven't said anything!"
"I know that expression."
"What expression?"
"The expression of someone about to do something stupid."
Jack looked offended.
"That's a terrible misunderstanding of my character."
"Really?"
"Absolutely."
He paused.
Then pointed at the strawberry.
"Can I have that?"
Lyar immediately moved her plate away.
"No."
Jack leaned back.
"Fine."
He picked up his fork and took another bite of chocolate cake.
For about ten seconds, he behaved perfectly normally.
Then he sighed dramatically.
"Such a shame."
Lyar continued eating.
"What is?"
"I was going to tell you something important."
She glanced at him.
"What?"
Jack shook his head sadly.
"Forget it."
Lyar narrowed her eyes.
"Jack."
He remained silent.
She put down her fork.
"What were you going to say?"
Jack looked at the strawberry again.
"Well..."
Lyar immediately pulled her plate closer.
"You're unbelievable!"
Jack burst out laughing.
She tried to look annoyed, but the sound of his laughter was contagious.
Soon, she was laughing too.
The nearby customers glanced at them, wondering what was so funny.
Jack wiped the corner of his eye.
"I can't believe you actually thought I had something important to say!"
Lyar pointed her fork at him.
"One day, I'm going to get revenge."
"I look forward to it."
"Don't underestimate me."
"I wouldn't dare."
They stared at each other for a moment.
Then both burst into laughter again.
Eventually, Lyar finished her cheesecake.
She looked at the empty plate with satisfaction.
Jack looked at it too.
Then he sighed.
"The strawberry is gone."
Lyar smiled sweetly.
"Yes."
"You didn't even offer me a single bite."
"You had your own cake."
"But yours had a strawberry!"
"Then order a strawberry cake next time."
Jack immediately stopped smiling.
"Next time?"
Lyar froze.
For a moment, neither spoke.
She had said it without thinking.
Jack slowly leaned forward.
"So there will be a next time?"
Lyar looked away.
"If you behave yourself."
Jack grinned.
"Then I'll become the most well-behaved person in the world."
"That would be a miracle."
"Miracles happen every day."
Lyar laughed again.
And just like that, an ordinary afternoon became a memory neither of them would forget easily.
After leaving the café, Jack and Lyar walked through the shopping street.
The evening breeze was pleasant.
Students moved between shops, while the smell of freshly baked bread drifted through the air.
They stopped in front of a small arcade.
Lyar looked through the glass.
Inside stood several claw machines filled with plush toys.
Her eyes lingered on a small white rabbit.
Jack noticed.
"You want that?"
Lyar immediately shook her head.
"No."
Jack looked at the rabbit.
Then at her.
"You're a terrible liar."
"I'm not lying."
"Then let's keep walking."
He turned around.
Lyar followed him for two steps.
Then glanced back at the machine.
Jack stopped.
A smile slowly spread across his face.
"Aha!"
Lyar looked at him.
"What?"
"You looked back!"
"So?"
"So you want the rabbit!"
Lyar sighed.
"Fine. I think it's cute. Happy now?"
Jack raised both hands.
"Very."
He walked into the arcade.
Lyar followed, shaking her head.
Jack purchased a few tokens and approached the machine with the confidence of a professional.
"Stand back. You're about to witness a masterpiece."
He inserted a token.
The claw descended.
It grabbed the rabbit.
For one glorious second, the toy rose into the air.
Then it slipped free and dropped back into the pile.
Silence.
Lyar stared at the machine.
Jack stared at the machine.
Then Jack nodded solemnly.
"That was a practice round."
Lyar covered her mouth.
"Of course."
He tried again.
The claw grabbed the rabbit's ear.
It lifted the toy halfway before dropping it.
Jack folded his arms.
"The machine is clearly malfunctioning."
Lyar finally burst out laughing.
"You're blaming the machine?"
"It's a conspiracy."
"Against you?"
"Against talented individuals."
She laughed so hard that she had to hold the edge of the machine for support.
Jack watched her for a moment.
Then his expression softened.
He liked seeing her laugh like this.
She seemed different from the girl he had met on that dark road.
Back then, she had looked exhausted and troubled.
Now, she was laughing at his ridiculous excuses.
And somehow, that made him happy.
"One more time," Jack declared.
Lyar wiped a tear of laughter from the corner of her eye.
"Fine. One more."
Jack inserted another token.
This time, he carefully adjusted the claw.
It descended.
Grabbed the rabbit.
And lifted it toward the prize opening.
Both watched in suspense.
The toy dropped.
Plop!
It landed inside the collection compartment.
Jack froze.
Lyar froze.
Then—
"WE DID IT!"
Jack raised both fists in victory.
Lyar clapped excitedly.
"We actually got it!"
Jack retrieved the rabbit and held it up like a trophy.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the greatest achievement of my life!"
Lyar laughed.
"You're embarrassing."
"And yet, you helped me."
"Because I wanted the rabbit!"
Jack stopped.
He looked at the rabbit.
Then at her.
A mischievous smile appeared on his face.
"Wait. Does that mean this rabbit belongs to you?"
"Obviously."
Jack sighed.
"I sacrificed my money, dignity, and professional reputation..."
He handed her the toy.
"...and received absolutely nothing in return."
Lyar accepted the rabbit.
Then she smiled.
"Thank you, Jack."
Her voice was softer this time.
Jack blinked.
For a moment, he forgot what he had been about to say.
Then he quickly looked away.
"Well, naturally. I'm a generous person."
Lyar hugged the little rabbit against her chest.
She didn't know why, but she felt unusually happy.
Perhaps it was because she had spent the afternoon doing something completely ordinary.
No family obligations.
No expectations.
No need to pretend.
Just laughter, desserts, and a ridiculous claw machine.
She glanced at Jack.
He was already complaining about how expensive the tokens had been.
Lyar smiled.
He's really strange.
Then another thought followed.
But I like spending time with him.
She quickly looked away before he could notice her expression.
Unfortunately, Jack noticed everything when it came to teasing people.
"Hey, Lyar."
"What?"
"You're smiling again."
Her expression immediately changed.
"No, I'm not!"
Jack laughed.
"Sure."
She lightly tapped his arm with the rabbit.
"Stop it!"
"Okay, okay!"
But he was still laughing.
And soon, she was laughing too.
Neither of them realized that something important had happened.
Lyar had originally been destined to meet Lucas Reed.
In the original story, their encounter was supposed to begin a relationship that would gradually change both their lives.
But the story had taken an unexpected turn.
Instead of meeting Lucas, Lyar had met Jack Smith.
And the carefree young master who had once treated everything like a joke was beginning to look forward to seeing her again.
Neither had confessed anything.
Neither had even admitted their growing feelings to themselves.
For now, they were simply two people who enjoyed the same things.
And sometimes, that was how a story began.
Back at the Reed Family Mansion, Adrian stood before his bedroom window.
His phone vibrated.
A message had arrived confirming Lucas's participation in the upcoming interclub exhibition.
Adrian read it and put his phone away.
"Good."
He turned toward his desk.
On it lay a list of the students expected to participate.
Lucas's name was among them.
Adrian studied the list.
He knew Lucas had been training seriously.
He also knew that Ryan Carter might encourage him to participate.
That was precisely why Adrian wanted to see what happened.
If Lucas performed well, the family would have to acknowledge his progress.
If he failed under pressure, the family would begin questioning whether he was truly suited for the position expected of him.
Either result would tell Adrian something useful.
But there was one thing he wouldn't do.
He wouldn't underestimate Ryan again.
Adrian picked up his phone and opened Ryan's university profile.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"Let's see whether you can help Lucas this time, Ryan Carter."
He locked the screen.
Outside, the night grew darker.
Three different stories were moving toward the same uncertain future.
Lucas was preparing to prove himself.
Adrian was preparing to test him.
And somewhere across the city, Jack and Lyar were laughing together, completely unaware that their unexpected friendship might change the original story more than anyone anticipated.
The game had begun.
But not everyone knew they were playing.
[Check out my new novel- Heroes Summoned novel]