Chapter 3

I couldn't help but smirk at the teacher's words.

He didn't even bother to ask why I had hit someone and went straight to handing out punishment. With bias like that, what was the point in saying anything?

As much as I wanted to storm out of the classroom, I needed the credits, so I forced myself to stay.

Thankfully, I had already taught myself most of this material back in senior year, so I didn't even bother listening. Instead, I pulled out my phone and started scrolling.

While checking my social media, I came across a post from Joshua.

What caught my attention was the car in Joshua's post, which was the same model as mine. That particular car wasn't common, so it surprised me that he had one, too.

But then, something else made me pause. One of the photos in his post looked oddly familiar.

Wasn't that a picture of my family's orchard?

Not wanting to jump to conclusions, I immediately sent the photo to Alan, my family lawyer.

Alan replied quickly, "Yes, this is indeed from our orchard. We took these photos in August for promotional purposes, but they haven't been released to the public yet."

How did Joshua get his hands on an unreleased photo of our property? I was stunned.

I quickly messaged Alan again. "Could you do a background check on Joshua, my roommate? I have a feeling that something's not right."

I couldn't shake the suspicion that he might have hired a hacker to breach the computer system of my family's orchard just to mess with me.

After class, I headed toward the library. On my way, I passed a bulletin board and noticed a large poster pinned up.

"The First Starus Creative Entrepreneurship Competition!"

I had been involved in small business ventures since high school, earning some

pocket money along the way, so this event piqued my interest.

read the details carefully. It started with

the grand prize

in reading, a group suddenly shoved me, nearly knocking me off

his arm around Lina, flanked by a few

and bag she was wearing were

she had forgotten or simply didn't care. She sure had some nerve

strutting around in her ex-boyfriend's

I felt like she had played her part well. She'd fooled me into

thinking about entering this competition?" Joshua eyed me up and down like he didn't

mind over that five hundred thousand dollar prize! Do you even have the capital to start a business? Look closely, this contest is all about creativity and profit. Without money, what business are you going to start off with? If you don't invest

sell those knockoff products. Five dollars a piece, and he might actually make

help but

out my phone, and snapped

could walk away, Joshua quickly stepped

My temper flared instantly.

"Move!" I snapped.

William. If you want to act though, I'll give you the chance. Why don't we both sign up

Joshua? Please. He wasn't worth my

him and kept walking, but he taunted me again. "What's the matter,

don't be afraid. Who knows? Maybe miracles do happen, and you might

If you win, I promise I'll stop messing with you for

speechless as Joshua just wouldn't

like the only way to shut him up was to give a lesson. I

But let's raise the stakes. If I win, you kneel in front of the entire school, apologize to me, and

us went silent, stunned by the challenge. They didn't expect me to take

"Isn't that a bit

don't mind. I'm just worried you'll back out

were together, did I ever break

muttered softly after a moment of hesitation. "No." "Then we're good. Joshua, are you in or not?" I

Will I be afraid of you? Let's

The bet was sealed.

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