With the party finally over and the night sky stretching overhead, Max found himself back in the same car they'd arrived in. Aron was behind the wheel, driving them toward Notting Hill City—a place that stirred some very recent memories for Max.
The White Tiger Gang was rooted in Mancur City, Max thought. But the last deal I was called to make before everything went sideways? That happened right here… in Notting Hill. And now this Max kid just so happens to live here.
Maybe it's fate. Maybe it's just irony. Either way, it's not a bad place for a fresh start.
It had been a long day. A day full of surprises, tension, and things he never expected to face.
I used to think rich kids had it easy, Max mused. But now I see that's not even close to the truth. When I was his age, my biggest problems were finding enough money to eat… or getting a girlfriend.
This kid doesn't have to worry about money—but he's got a whole different kind of mess to deal with.
Even so, after experiencing the worst part of being in the body of a rich kid, Max figured he was due to experience some of the perks.
The car rolled to a stop and Max looked out the window.
The neighborhood looked rough—really rough.
The streets were covered in graffiti, trash lined the sidewalks like it had been there for days, maybe weeks. As for houses—there weren't any. Just low-rise apartment blocks, no taller than three floors.
The buildings were crammed tightly together, leaving barely any space between them. The area looked small, boxed in, and worn down.
"Do you need to use the bathroom or something?" Max asked, raising an eyebrow.
"No, young master," Aron replied. "We're here. This is your apartment—the place you've been living in for the past year."
Max blinked. "This... this is where I live?"
He stepped out of the car, getting a better look at the full picture.
It wasn't that he had a problem with it. In fact, the place reminded him of his old life. Before he built his empire, Max had grown up in a neighborhood not too different from this.
It wasn't the area itself that shocked him.
It was the fact that someone from the Stern family—with billions at their fingertips—was living here.
Aron led the way, guiding Max up to the second floor. They passed five other doors before stopping at the last one at the end of the walkway.
Aron pulled out a key and unlocked the door, then handed it over to Max as they stepped inside. It was just as dull inside as it looked from the outside, maybe 30 square meters, if that.
A single bed barely big enough for an adult. A cramped space with a small TV and a cheap-looking table. The kitchen was more like a corner, just enough room to turn around, but not actually move in. And the bathroom? Not far at all.
Still, Max had to admit, at least he wasn't sharing the place with anyone. That was something.
But that didn't mean he didn't have questions.
Seriously, what was this kid thinking? Max thought, scanning the tiny room. You had access to a billion for a year, and you didn't even bother upgrading to a decent apartment?
The more I learn about this guy, the more I want to punch him myself.
"The apartment rent comes out of your allowance account," Aron explained, stepping in behind him. "Your daily necessities, bills and such, are all paid automatically. So your total funds haven't gone down because of any of this."
"Wait, how much even is my allowance?" Max asked, pulling out his phone.
He tapped on the banking app he hadn't opened yet and scrolled through the statements. The numbers looked… odd. Like something wasn't adding up.
"The allowance system is set up to automatically return any unused funds," Aron added. "So the balance resets each month. It doesn't build up."
Now it all made sense. Max finally understood.
His monthly allowance was $20,000.
"Twenty thousand… and he still rented a place like this?" Max muttered. "I mean, I rented a place like this. What is wrong with me?"
He felt like he was losing it.
Every choice the kid had made just confused him more. Nothing added up. How was he supposed to live this life like it was his own, when none of it made any sense?
Sooner or later, someone was bound to notice that he wasn't the real Max.
"You moved here after your parents passed away," Aron said quietly. "It happened last year. You were sixteen at the time. Your grandfather gave you a choice, and you chose to live on your own. You chose this place."
"I don't know the reasons behind it… but if I may say, perhaps losing your memories is a blessing in disguise. Maybe now, you can live a new life. A better one."
Aron gave a respectful bow.
Right… he lost both his parents, Max thought, his chest tightening for just a second. At least I know what that feels like.
"My duties are finished for today," Aron said. "I'll take my leave now. I hope you enjoy your day tomorrow."
Max nodded, waving him off.
Honestly, he was surprised Aron didn't just sleep on the floor beside him, the way he'd been acting all day.
Still, out of everyone Max had met so far, Aron might've been the one person he could almost let his guard down around.
"Thanks again," Max said. "So… when will I see you next? Tomorrow morning?"
"Oh, that's right," Aron said. "I'm the head of your security team, but I wasn't always the only one. In the past, there were others who watched over you, even at night, stationed just outside this apartment."
He paused for a moment before continuing.
"But… you instructed me to dismiss all personnel. You didn't want anyone guarding you. I followed that order—but I insisted on one condition."
Aron stood straighter.
"That I would personally watch over you on weekends. Today is Sunday, which means… my duty ends here."
He gave a small bow. "Still, if you need me, I'm just a phone call away. I'll be there as fast as possible."
He reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone. "Oh—and one more thing."
He tapped the screen, sending something over. A notification popped up on Max's phone.
'Stalker' had sent him a message.
Max raised an eyebrow. Well… at least the kid had a sense of humor. Opening the message, he saw a photo—some kind of schedule.
"Please follow it carefully," Aron said. "And I hope you enjoy your day at school tomorrow."
Max froze.
"Right…" he replied, lips twitching into a nervous half-smile.
I forgot… this kid is seventeen. Which means…
I have to go back to high school.