The walk from the Dining Hall back to the suite felt like a march through a minefield.
Xavier could feel Julian Thorne's eyes on his back the whole way.
Julian did not speak.
But Xavier could tell his mind was moving fast.
Julian was a boy raised around secrets.
And now he had met someone who seemed to own them all.
When they reached the glass walls of Suite 001, Julian did not wait.
He threw his jacket onto a chair.
He turned to Xavier.
"Leo Lee is being processed by the school guards right now," Julian said.
His voice was lower. More serious.
"His father is in jail.
You destroyed a family worth billions with one sentence.
My family's data network didn't even catch that fire problem for another hour.
How did you get that information first?"
Xavier did not turn.
He walked to the window and watched the sun begin to dip over the private lake.
He needed to look calm.
Even though his heart was hammering against his ribs.
"Information is like a river, Julian," Xavier said, smooth and steady.
"If you wait for it to reach your house through the pipes, you're already too late.
My family prefers to stand at the start of the river."
Julian moved closer.
"I did some checking.
The name 'Valerius' is in some very old, private books.
But there is no current business. No office.
It's like your family lives in the dark."
"The sun is for people who want to show off," Xavier replied.
He finally turned to face Julian.
"The dark is where the real work happens.
Tell me, Julian, are you happy being a prince of a company your father built?
Or do you want to build your own throne?"
Julian's eyes narrowed.
He was hooked.
"What are you talking about?"
Xavier stepped forward.
Into Julian's space.
The biggest risk of his life.
"Lee Electronics is dead," Xavier said.
"But the tech they own is still worth billions.
In six hours, the banks will start selling those secrets for very cheap because they are desperate.
I have a way to buy them before anyone else even knows they are for sale.
But I need cash. Now."
[ SYSTEM MESSAGE ]
[ BLUFF IN PROGRESS: 76% CHANCE OF SUCCESS ]
[ WARNING: JULIAN IS WATCHING FOR ANY SIGN OF A LIE ]
Xavier forced his hands to stay still.
He had to be the coldest person in the room.
"How much?" Julian asked.
"Five million," Xavier said, like he was asking for a piece of gum.
"Think of it as a test.
You give the money. I give the timing.
We split the profit sixty-forty.
You get the sixty percent."
Julian laughed.
But it was nervous.
"Five million dollars? To a guy I met yesterday?
I'm the heir to a data empire, Xavier. I'm not a fool."
"Then stay a prince, Julian," Xavier said, turning back to the window.
"Stay on your father's allowance.
I'll just find someone else in this school who has the guts to win."
One second.
Two seconds.
The silence felt like it was choking him.
"If this is a lie," Julian said, voice turning dangerous,
"I won't just kick you out.
I will make sure your name is erased from every computer on earth.
You will become a ghost."
Xavier did not flinch.
"Send the money to the Valerius Fund.
You have ten minutes.
After that, the chance is gone."
Julian pulled out his phone.
Hesitant.
But he could not stand the idea of Xavier doing this without him.
He wanted to be the best.
He thought Xavier was his ticket.
A minute passed.
Then Xavier's vision flashed bright gold.
[ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ]
[ MISSION SUCCESS: THE FOUNDER'S FUND ]
[ PRESTIGE GAINED: +50,000 ]
[ FUNDS RECEIVED: $5,000,000.00 ]
[ TOTAL BALANCE: $5,026,000.01 ]
Xavier felt energy rush through him.
He almost felt lightheaded.
He had five million dollars in his account.
"The money is sent," Julian said, putting his phone away.
He looked at Xavier with sharp focus.
"Now, show me that you're worth it."
"Watch the news tonight, Julian," Xavier said.
"You'll see."
Xavier walked back to his private bedroom and locked the door.
He pulled out his phone.
Sent two million dollars to the Butcher's account.
Seconds later, a text came back.
[ MESSAGE: YOU ACTUALLY DID IT. THE INTEREST IS PAID. YOUR MOTHER IS SAFE FOR ANOTHER MONTH. DON'T BE LATE AGAIN. ]
Xavier sat on the floor.
Leaning against the bed.
He felt like he had survived a crash.
Safe for now.
But he had just lied to the most powerful boy in the school.
He had five million dollars of Julian's money.
And no plan to buy anything yet.
He looked at the System screen.
"System," he whispered.
"I have the five million.
Now, how do I actually make the profit I promised him?"
[ NEW MISSION: THE TECH HEIST ]
[ OBJECTIVE: USE THE EYE OF CAPITAL TO STEAL THE LEE ELECTRONICS SECRETS FROM THE DARK WEB ]
[ REWARD: ??? ]
Xavier stared.
He was no longer just a fake student.
He was becoming a high-tech thief.
He opened his laptop.
Blue light shining in his eyes.
The hunt had begun.