Kai Anderson had exactly three problems. He was broke. He was late. And someone was about to make his morning considerably worse. “Move!” Kai sprinted across the crowded sidewalk, one hand clutching his backpack while the other held a paper bag containing the breakfast he had barely managed to afford. His white shirt was slightly wrinkled, his dark hair was a mess, and one shoelace had come undone somewhere between the bus stop and the university gate. None of that mattered. He was already ten minutes late for his morning lecture. “Sorry! Excuse me!” A few pedestrians glared at him as he slipped between them. Kai ignored them. He had spent half the night working at a small restaurant, gotten home after midnight, studied until nearly three in the morning, and slept for less than four hours. Missing one lecture was not an option. Not when his medical professor had made it very clear that attendance mattered. Not when he was already struggling to keep up with tuition payments. And definitely not when his scholarship depended on maintaining excellent grades. Kai reached the university gate and stopped abruptly. His chest rose and fell. “Made it.” “Barely.” Kai looked over his shoulder. His best friend, Ethan Miller, was leaning against the gate with a coffee in one hand and an amused expression on his face. “You look terrible,” Ethan said. “Good morning to you too.” “You look like you fought a truck.” “I won.” Ethan laughed. “You’re impossible.” Kai took the coffee from his hand without asking. Ethan stared at him. “That was mine.” “You’re my friend.” “That doesn’t explain anything.” “It explains everything.” Kai took a sip. Ethan shook his head. “One day, your attitude is going to get you killed.” “One day, your complaining is going to get you ignored.” “Too late. You already ignore me.” Kai smiled. Despite the exhaustion weighing heavily on his body, it was difficult not to smile around Ethan. They had known each other since their first year of high school. Ethan knew about Kai’s family’s financial problems, the jobs he worked, and the pressure he carried. He also knew Kai hated being pitied. So Ethan never pitied him. That was one of the reasons Kai valued their friendship. “You ate?” Ethan asked. Kai lifted the paper bag. “Breakfast.” Ethan looked inside. “One bun?” “And half a banana.” “That’s not breakfast.” “It is if you’re poor.” Ethan sighed. Before he could say anything else, Kai’s phone vibrated. He pulled it from his pocket. Mum. Kai answered immediately. “Morning, Mum.” His mother’s tired voice came through. “Are you at university?” “Yes.” “Did you eat?” Kai glanced at the single bun. “Yes.” A pause. “Really?” Kai smiled faintly. “Really.” His mother knew him too well. “How is your father?” “He’s sleeping. His back was hurting again last night.” Kai’s smile disappeared. His father had spent most of his life working manual jobs. Years of physical labor had taken their toll. Medical bills were becoming another weight on the family. Kai lowered his voice. “I’ll send some money home this weekend.” “You don’t have to.” “I know.” “Kai—” “I’ll send it.” His mother sighed. “Don’t work yourself sick.” Kai looked toward the university building. “I won’t.” It was a lie. But it was the kind of lie he had become very good at telling. After hanging up, Kai slipped his phone into his pocket. Ethan watched him quietly. “You’re taking another shift tonight, aren’t you?” Kai said nothing. “That means yes.” “I need the money.” “I know.” Kai adjusted his backpack. “Come on. We’re late.” They hurried toward the lecture hall. Neither of them noticed the black luxury sedan that had just stopped outside the university gates. The car attracted attention immediately. Students slowed down. Some whispered. Others pulled out their phones. Ethan glanced behind him. “Who is that?” Kai didn’t bother looking. “Someone rich.” “You didn’t even see him.” “I don’t need to.” The rear door opened. A tall man stepped out. The atmosphere around the entrance seemed to change. Adrian Blake adjusted the cuff of his black suit as he looked toward the university administration building. At twenty-eight, he was already the CEO of Blake Corporation, one of the most powerful companies in the country. He had not come to the university to meet students. He had a business meeting with the university board concerning a major medical research partnership. His expression was cold. His posture was immaculate. And his patience was nonexistent. “Mr. Blake,” his assistant said, approaching quickly. “The board members are waiting.” Adrian checked his watch. “Then they should have learned to wait quietly.” The assistant immediately stopped talking. Adrian started toward the building. Then— A blur came rushing around the corner. Kai. He was moving too quickly to notice the man in front of him. He collided directly with Adrian. The paper bag flew from his hand. Coffee splashed across an expensive black suit. Silence. Kai froze. Adrian looked down at his stained jacket. Then slowly raised his eyes. Kai swallowed. Ethan, standing several steps away, whispered, “Oh, no.” Adrian’s expression darkened. “Do you know how much this suit costs?” Kai looked at the stain. Then at Adrian. Then at the luxury car waiting behind him. He sighed. “Probably more than my family’s annual income.” Adrian’s eyebrow lifted. “That wasn’t an answer.” “No,” Kai said calmly. “It was an observation.” The assistant looked horrified. Ethan covered his face. Adrian stared at Kai. Most people became nervous when they realized who he was. This university student didn’t even seem particularly impressed. “You ruined my suit,” Adrian said. Kai looked at the coffee dripping from Adrian’s sleeve. “You’re right.” For a moment, Adrian seemed surprised by the admission. Then Kai continued. “But you were standing in the middle of the walkway.” The assistant’s eyes widened. Adrian’s gaze sharpened. “You’re blaming me?” “I’m saying we’re both responsible.” “You’re very confident.” “I’ve been told that.” “By people who dislike you?” “Mostly.” Something almost resembling amusement flickered in Adrian’s eyes. Almost. Kai bent down and picked up the fallen paper bag. The bun inside was crushed. He stared at it. His breakfast was ruined. His morning was ruined. And judging from the man’s expression, his life might be ruined next. Kai straightened. “Look, I’m sorry about your suit.” He reached into his wallet. There were two bills and a few coins. He counted them. Adrian watched. Kai held out the money. “This is all I have.” The assistant looked away. Adrian stared at the small amount resting in Kai’s palm. Then at Kai’s face. “Keep it.” Kai frowned. “I damaged your clothes.” “And you clearly can’t afford them.” Kai’s expression hardened. “I didn’t ask you to pity me.” Adrian’s eyes narrowed. “I wasn’t pitying you.” “Good.” Kai put the money back into his wallet. “Then we’re even.” He walked past Adrian. Ethan hurried after him. Adrian remained where he stood. His assistant approached cautiously. “Sir?” Adrian looked at the disappearing figure. “What department is he in?” The assistant blinked. “I’ll find out.” Adrian said nothing. For the first time that morning, the meeting waiting inside the university building was no longer the most interesting thing on his schedule.

The Boy who couldn’t stay out of trouble