Caesar straightened his tie as he entered the towering glass building, determination burning in his chest. He was here to meet Mr. Hover — a man whose investment could secure the future of his company. Everything depended on this meeting.
The secretary at the front desk greeted him with a polite but distant smile."Please wait a moment, sir. Mr. Hover is still in a meeting."
Caesar nodded, trying to stay composed. Minutes turned into thirty, and every tick of the clock gnawed at his patience. The polite smile of the secretary felt more mocking with each passing second. He had scheduled this appointment a week ago — and yet here he was, treated like some pushover waiting for scraps of attention.
Finally, frustration boiled over. Caesar stood abruptly, his chair scraping against the marble floor."That's enough waiting," he muttered, storming past the secretary despite her protests.
"Sir! You can't just—"
But it was too late. He pushed open the heavy double doors to Mr. Hover's office — and froze.
Inside, standing beside Mr. Hover, was a man he never expected to see.
"Well, look who decided to drop by," Mr. Hover said with a mocking grin. "An uninvited visitor."
Caesar's blood ran cold. His brother.
Before he could take another step, the butler quickly blocked his path."But I set an appointment, sir!" Caesar protested, voice edged with desperation.
Mr. Hover's expression hardened. "I changed my plans. I've decided to invest in Mr. Harold instead. He seems... cleverer than you."
"No, sir!" Caesar snapped. "That bastard is more foolish than you think!"
Harold, ever smug, stepped forward and sneered. "Look at you — spouting nonsense again. It's obvious I'm the better choice. I even gave Mr. Hover a stronger proposal than yours." He brushed past Caesar deliberately, shoulder colliding with his as he turned toward Hover. "Thank you, Mr. Hover. See you tomorrow for our meeting."
Caesar's fists clenched. His world was crumbling in slow motion. He turned to Mr. Hover, confusion and disbelief written all over his face."Why?" he demanded, voice cracking. "Why are you doing this?"
Mr. Hover's sharp gaze met his. "You're not supposed to disappoint me, Caesar... but unfortunately, you have."
"I don't understand," Caesar said, shaking his head. "Did I do something wrong? Tell me, please — what did I do?"
Hover sighed, leaning back in his chair. His next words hit Caesar like a dagger."Killan... do you know him?"
Caesar's breath hitched. His son's classmate — the one who had beaten his boy bloody.
"He's my benefactor," Hover continued coldly. "You made me angry when you upset him. Instead of going to ask for his forgiveness for what your son did, you're here — begging me?" He clicked his tongue. "Pathetic."
Caesar's mind went blank. Killan? That arrogant brat is his benefactor?
"He ordered me to cut ties with you," Hover said with a mocking smile. "Tsk, tsk, tsk... of all people, why him? Now go. I can't change my decision — unless he says so."
It felt as though lightning had struck him. His legs nearly gave out. His pride, his dignity — none of it mattered anymore. He needed to save his company.
"Please, Mr. Hover—"
"Enough!" Hover barked. "Now go."
Caesar turned and bolted out of the room, his heart pounding wildly. He didn't care about the stares, the whispers, or his own humiliation. There was only one thought left in his mind — Killan.
He ran like a madman to his car, fumbling for his keys. The engine roared to life as he sped toward the school, desperation driving every turn of the wheel.
He didn't care about pride anymore.He just needed to fix this — before everything was destroyed.
******
Killan's POV
"You seem relaxed right now," my classmate whispered nervously. "Don't you realize we have to face Father Jake later?"
I turned to him — a nervous wreck hiding behind his glasses — and gave his shoulder a light pat."Don't worry," I said with a calm smile. "Mr. Hover won't disappoint me."
He didn't understand, of course. No one did. Once this chaos settled, I could finally live in peace — the way I, Killan, had always wanted.
An hour later, the classroom buzzed with whispers. Students were crowding near the window, curious about the commotion outside. I followed their gaze and froze.
Father Jake — the man I least wanted to see — was running toward the building like a man possessed. His face was pale, drenched in sweat, his movements frantic.
Moments later, our teacher called my name."Killan, the principal's office wants to see you."
I sighed, straightened my uniform, and walked out. Inside the office, the scene that greeted me was almost absurd.
Father Jake — Caesar — was on his knees, forehead pressed to the cold floor. The teachers stood frozen, exchanging uneasy glances as his desperate cries filled the room.
"I'm so sorry!" he wailed. "I didn't know you were friends with Mr. Hover. Please — forgive me!"
Pathetic.
I looked down at him, my expression cold, my voice steady."Your son beat my sister to death," I said. "And you dared to cover his wrongdoings. If I hadn't been connected to Mr. Hover, you probably would've hunted us down instead."
He flinched — because he knew it was true.
"Be grateful," I continued, "that I spared your son's life. Otherwise, he'd already be in a grave."
The room fell silent. I could feel the unease thickening in the air, the teachers unsure whether to speak or look away. Caesar's lips trembled, his eyes wide with guilt and desperation.
I knew why he was here. His business was collapsing — Mr. Hover had withdrawn his investment, and I was the one who held the key to whether that door reopened or not.
He lifted his head slightly. "Before that… I have something to ask, about our business—"
I cut him off sharply. "I'll talk to Mr. Hover myself."
Relief flooded his face. "Thank you… thank you so much!" he stammered, clutching both my hands — as if I were some savior.
I pulled away immediately, my eyes cold."Don't thank me. I don't want to be involved with people like you."
He froze, the hope in his expression fading.
I turned toward the door, adjusting my blazer.I'd already made my decision. I didn't want revenge, power, or connections anymore.
What I wanted was simple — to start over, quietly, like a normal person.With my new family.
And for once, leave the ghosts of the past buried where they belonged, and that's what I thought...