The morning didn't bring sunlight.
It brought sirens.
It brought journalists.
It brought the fall of a queen.
---
Dozens of media vans clogged the street. Cameras lined the sidewalk. Students filmed as Principal Gloria Moretz was escorted out in handcuffs.
Charges: embezzlement, bribery, obstruction of justice, and conspiracy to exploit minors.
Her once-glorious voice cracked as she screamed, "You'll regret this, Julian! You're just a pawn! You hear me?!"
Julian stood by the window of his classroom. Watching. Listening.
Feeling… nothing.
Until Camille turned to him and whispered, "You know, kings get killed too."
He didn't reply.
He just sat down.
And opened the next file.
Because there was more.
So much more.
---
Julian wasn't invited.
But he walked in anyway.
Black suit. Unbuttoned shirt. Watch glowing under his sleeve.
The gala was filled with billionaires, influencers, corrupt officials, and fake smiles.
A champagne flute passed into his hand. Serena had arrived first, dazzling in a backless velvet dress that screamed wealth and whispered danger.
She walked up to him. "What are you doing here?"
Julian looked around. "The same thing you're doing."
"What? Selling a lie?"
He grinned. "Buying the truth."
Just then, a voice erupted on stage.
"Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the youngest CEO in Crestmont's real estate history—Max Kade."
Applause exploded.
Max stepped onto the stage like he owned the night.
His eyes found Julian.
His smirk grew like fire.
---
Meanwhile – Student Dorms
Back at the Academy, a new teacher arrived.
Miss Eloise Varn, 28. Tall. Dark eyes. European accent. Leather boots.
Students whispered.
She had once dated a Russian mafia heir.
Some said she poisoned a former principal.
She walked into the philosophy class like she was auditioning for a spy film.
And her eyes landed straight on Julian's empty seat.
She smiled.
"This year," she purred, "I plan to change lives."
---
Julian – Alone in the Penthouse Bathroom
He stared into the mirror.
Blood on his collar. Faint but fresh.
His lip was busted from an earlier scuffle with an unknown man at the gala—a warning, maybe. Or a challenge.
The watch pulsed.
[Reward: Access to New Task Tier – Level Silver]
[New Task: Destroy Max Kade's Reputation in 48 Hours. Reward: $50,000 & Private File on Missing Father.]
He didn't even hesitate.
Accept.
---
Back on the Stage
Max Kade spoke.
"This generation of students has no respect, no spine. I believe in power, in class. And I will make sure this city knows who deserves to rise—and who will be crushed underfoot."
Julian walked up the side stairs.
Right into the spotlight.
"Then step on me, Max," he said into the mic, cutting the music.
Gasps filled the room.
Cameras flashed.
Max turned, smile tight. "This isn't your stage, Rivers."
Julian leaned into the mic. "Everywhere I stand is mine."
He pulled out a flash drive.
And plugged it into the gala's media projector.
Footage exploded onto the screen:
> Max. Snorting. Laughing. Paying off cops. Sleeping with minors in luxury hotels.
Screams echoed.
People ran.
Max lunged.
Julian stepped aside, letting security tackle him.
Just like that.
Checkmate.
---
Julian sat alone again.
Stars above.
Chaos behind.
And beside him, Eva Liu.
No words.
Just her hand slipping into his.
She whispered, "Who's next?"
Julian looked at the glowing watch.
Then at the city.
And answered, "Everyone."
---