"Mr. Liam is here!" The receptionist’s gloomy expression vanished, replaced by a flush of excitement. She quickly dabbed more blush onto her cheeks. Liam strode into the club the moment he stepped out of his car. His gaze was immediately drawn to the man in the corner, whose delivery uniform was glaringly out of place. His brow furrowed. "Did you order something?" he asked the receptionist. "No, Sir," she explained hastily, her voice laced with anxiety. "He came looking for you. If you don't know him, I'll ask him to leave." She was desperate not to make a poor impression. Liam was a man of considerable standing. Not only was he a prominent figure in the community, but his father was also a senior property tycoon. He gave a slight nod and turned his attention to Jacob. At that exact moment, Jacob looked up, and their eyes met. Liam recognized at once that this was no ordinary man. Behind a seemingly mild gaze lay something akin to a sharpened blade, honed to a razor's edge. Jacob possessed an air of calm royalty, a killer’s intensity just beneath the surface, tinged with a faint arrogance. The delivery uniform he wore was such a jarring contradiction to his aura that it sparked an intense curiosity in Liam. As Liam walked towards Jacob, the two receptionists stole a glance at his powerful physique from behind. "Wow, Mr. Liam is just incredible." "Can you imagine being his wife?" Reaching the table, Liam asked, "You're looking for me? What can I do for you?" "Let's be direct. I am Jacob Thompson." Jacob had no time for pleasantries and cut straight to the point. An expression of pure shock shattered Liam’s composure. He was a man who prided himself on remaining calm even in the face of disaster, but for once, he lost his cool. "Mr... Mr. Thompson!" How could the heir to that respected family be working as a delivery driver in Westbrook State? The staggering difference in status sent Liam’s mind reeling in disbelief. Jacob nodded, his voice laced with annoyance. "Rose told me to pick up the car here. Why she’d insist I drive a sportscar, I have no idea. The next time I see her, I'm going to pull her pants down." In the business world, Rose was a queen, the owner of the largest venture capital firm in the United States. Her exotic, almost fairy-like beauty had made her a legend among young women. Not even the so-called "Big Four" of Westbrook State would dare to cross her, least of all Liam. And yet, Jacob had just threatened to pull down her pants. Even so, Liam understood. He had heard the rumors of their intimacy; their relationship had to be exceptionally close for him to speak so casually. "Of course, Sir. Please, have a seat on the second floor while I have the car brought around for you." Liam's tone was utterly deferential, careful not to cause the slightest offense. The receptionist and her friend watched, stunned and confused. The powerful Liam was suddenly as meek as a lamb before this delivery man. "What is going on? Our boss is the son of a property tycoon!" the receptionist whispered in bewilderment. "Why does the delivery man suddenly seem so much more handsome?" "You're a fool!" her friend hissed back, though her own gaze was fixed on Jacob with a newfound awe. "That won't be necessary," Jacob told Liam. "I have other things to do." He had no interest in wasting time; he just wanted to get home and change out of this uniform. Liam felt a pang of disappointment. An opportunity to speak with Jacob Thompson was rare, and it was a pity to see it cut short. If only he were a few years younger, perhaps he might have moved in the same circles. "Mr. Thompson, don't worry. Ms. Rose mentioned you wished to remain inconspicuous. I have promised to keep this a secret. If there is anything you need, Sir, please do not hesitate to contact me. Here is my card," Liam said, extending a business card. Jacob took the card and slipped it into his trouser pocket. "The motorcycle I parked out front is yours now. A gift. I hate to see things go to waste." "Yes, Sir. Thank you for the gift." Five minutes later, a Hennessey Venom descended on the parking lift. Jacob pressed a button on the key fob, and the gullwing doors rose smoothly, like a pair of unfolding wings. Only then did the pieces click into place for the receptionists. He hadn't come to buy a car; he had come to collect his own supercar. They had just missed the chance to attract a man of immense wealth. Then again, they knew their league. If someone as powerful as Liam bowed to him, what chance did they ever have? A wave of guilt washed over them for how they had underestimated him. But they were pragmatic. A man like Jacob wouldn't waste a moment's thought on women like them. The engine ignited with a throaty growl as the doors slowly closed. The car's white and silver body lines complemented the luxurious grey interior, a perfect match for the young and handsome Jacob. The roar of the engine sent a thrill through everyone watching. In that moment, the cheap delivery uniform Jacob wore seemed to transform into a suit of shining golden armor. "Oh my God, he is so handsome! I want to marry him!" "Looks are common enough, but it's his presence that matters. The way he drives with one hand… so cool!" After Jacob’s car disappeared down the street, Liam murmured to himself, "A wealthy heir working as a delivery man… what a character." Jacob drove toward his university. Suddenly, his phone rang. "Jacob, the semester credit fee is due. You're the only one who hasn't paid. Are you planning to drop out or what?" Every semester, each class collected a fee to fund their activities. The class leader, Christian, spoke with a distinct lack of friendliness. "It's only ten thousand dollars. Why would I drop out over that?" "Don't bother pretending, Jacob. Everyone knows you're penniless." "You're interrupting my drive." "Driving?" Christian scoffed. "Don't kid me. You treat that little motorbike of yours like a car. Think you can compare yourself to Ethan? I can hear the wind whistling through the phone. Stop playing pretend!" "Yeah, the wind is pretty strong," Jacob replied, then ended the call. His view of the sky opened up as the car's roof retracted. A blast of cold air rushed in, whipping around him.

Chapter 5: A Sharpened Blade Awaits