Chapter 10
Preston’s dader feh a headache
he coming on. “Please, Stop it, OK! Perlupss Irene got lucky. That’s all. So what if she gives birth to a level ten“”
This mom was farming. “Do you even get what a level ten means! Irene’s kid is basically a walking tank–slap any high–tech cyberware on her, and
he’s unstoppabled”
Handle on her lips, she yelled. “If Preston was a ten. Til be picking fights with every jerk I know!
Preston blinked, then mattered, “Glad I’m not, then.”
His mom shot him a death glase. “Don’t sass mel Get on her good side–don’t you dare piss her off After we’re gone, you, her, and your crew are ronna inherit everything. You’ll need each other.
“What if she snaps and takes you out? I’d be a cakewalk for her
Preston snapped. I’m not that weak, OK
His father folded his hands expectantly and said, “Preston, you know what? You should go out with her and become her first love. This will be of great help to you after you become adults.”
That flipped a switch for his mom. “Yes! Be her boyfriend! Even if it flops, let her dump you. At least you’ll still be the ex!”
Preston’s face dropped. He chugged his milk, slammed the glass down, and stood up. “Leave me alone! Who’d want to date her? I’m not into girls tougher than me!”
He stormed off.
His mom yelled after him. “Fine, but at least be her friend! No fighting
Preston said nothing, thinking. Just because she’s a level ten, I’m supposed to fawn over her? No way!
The next morning, a piece of news caused an uproar in Blackthorn Academy.
“Have you heard? Some level–ten freak’s joining us!”
“What! A ten? That’s not even reall
“Everyone at Blackthorn Hospital knows. She went through a test last night. A lot of people heard the broadcast.”
So, everything but her brain could go full robo?”
“There are so many level–nane plutocrats in our school. A level ten will overwhelm them!”
“Shinsh” Rich guys are arriting
They looked out of the teaching banding
Several fixating cars descended from the sky. The mechanical doors opened slowly, and Preston, Ray, and others stepped out of their respective flouting can
All nine
olling toward the building.
nine of them were tall, lean, and good–looking in their own ways, strolling
Melists tagged along. She stood as the very edge of those young men beside Clive and Brad holding her head high proudly as she enjoyed the audros gazes.
She lived for these daily school runs with the fed her ego like nothing che
But the other students didn’t even clock hier. To them, she was a nobody–barely there.
One lid gawked at the guys sharp faces. “Wonder who this level–ten is het she’d crush these rich jerks”
Antther floating car landed from due sky and slowly stopped at the school gate
It stunned the students. “Another floating car!”
Floating cars weren’t cheap–bulletproof, artillery–proot, 13 billion bucks a pop, with yearly upkeep in the tens of millions. Regular families
1/2
Chapter 10
couldn’t teach that
Aside from the top–tier rich
everyone else rolled up in normal cars.
And now, there was another floating c
Preston heard their exclimations and looked back at the extra floating car “Who bought a floating car?”
Roy looked back as well, he stared at the car door, not feeling surprised.
Regina sat in the flooring car and looked out the window at the scenery.
she used to look through binoculars at floating cars when she was in the slum.
The cars were all black made of iron, and there were no windows. Apart from the fact that they could fly and were bullet–proof, she didn’t know what was fun about them…
Now, riding in one, she got it. Once it kicked on, the walls went see–through from the inside.
She could take in the fancy Dainville views, crystal clear, like the door was wide open.
The car came with privacy. Outsiders couldn’t peek in though, and it beat any regular car for comfort.
she knew rich folks lived easy, but this! Her jaw was on the floor.
She glanced at the shocked faces of those students, thinking, ‘All these eyes on me. Back in the slums, people looked at me like trash or some puzzle to figure out. Now it’s just envy and wonder. Feels damn good
Looking at the students‘ gazes filled with amazement, Scarlett smiled, “Looks like you’re going to cause quite a stir today. I should repeat to you what you’re supposed to do as an heir.”
She went
on
“I was a mercenary–my crew’s all mercenaries and bodyguards. We’re in the service game, and those big families? They’re our clients. You’ve goun play nice with their kids–they’re your future paychecks.
These families stick together. I built myself up, and yeah, I’ve got the Shermans backing me, but it’s not my own juice. Plenty of folks still look down on me. That’s why we can’t slack on connections.
“As long as you can get on good terms with them and get me orders through them, I’ll give you a cut.
“The stronger the family you hook up with, the higher the cut I’ll give you But if you fall out with a potential client, I’ll deduct your allowance. If you have a fallout with them all, I’ll kick you out. Uderstand!”
Of course, Regina understood,
Regina nodded. She was here for money and po
and power–crystal clear.
teen, sure, but delicate. Not an
She scoped out the guys. They all looked on edge, except Preston, who just seemed clueless
Preson stared at her floating car intently, has gaze almost burning.
She said with confidence, “Till start with Preston”
Sarlen raned an eyebrow. “The Yates! They’re big–time. Preston’s been spoiled rotten–never had a hard day E
easy mark”
Regina shrugged. “Nah, he’s the easiestTM
The Coating car’s door opened slowly.
Preston squinted, leaning in for a better look.
A pair of slender legs with stockings stretched out of the car
His eyes, and those of the others, were drawn to the legs, and he looked up.
Regina hit the college entrance in Blackthorn Academy’s short–skirt uniform, early summer breeze tossing her long hair Everyone was amazed.
Yesterday, she was plain Jane; today, she’d leveled up–polished, sharp.
2/3
Chapter 10
Tully curls were the trend, but her straight, silky hair and bangs framed her small face just right.
Big eyes, full Tips, cute upturned nose–no harsh edges, all charm.
Her straight, silky hair gave her an edge, making her look a bit untouchable.
Preston was slack–jawed.
Hoy froze too, then snapped out of it, frowning like he was annoyed with himself.
Regina walked up to them. “Morning”
Roy looked away. “Morning.”
Then she turned to Preston.
His file said his mom was a global supermodel–those delicate features were hers. But his dad’s rugged jawline toughened him up.
Blond hair, blue eyes–out in the sun, they sparkled like the ocean.
She almost saw a lazy, proud blue–eyed cat in him, all regal and chill.
but right now, staring at her? His eyes had something else–locked on her face like his brain had crashed.
Perfect opening for Regina
“Something on my face, Preston?” she asked.