From Bullets To Billions Chapter 647: The Boss

Much like his father, Randy Stern, an unsettling lack of public information shrouded Donto Stern. To the world at large, Donto was a celebrated figure, currently holding a prominent position within the university's sports department thanks to a coveted soccer scholarship. His athletic accomplishments had earned him considerable notoriety, not merely within June Stone University but, to a degree, across the nation.

On the surface, Donto’s income seemed to stem from legitimate avenues: lucrative sponsorships, high-profile advertising deals, and even occasional modeling opportunities. In many respects, he presented as a more successful and refined version of Chad. However, Max recalled the raw data he had previously glimpsed in Dennis’s office.

Among all the younger members of the Stern family, Donto stood out as the sole individual who had consistently and successfully augmented his income. The sheer volume of wealth he had accumulated did not align with his publicly known activities.

Certainly, the young man was popular, but he wasn't a global superstar. Even the world's foremost athletes typically saw their earnings reach the hundreds of millions only after decades of establishment or by leveraging their fame to launch massive conglomerates. Donto was merely a sophomore. A fundamental discrepancy existed in the figures, and as the saying goes, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Max felt certain that a deep dive into Donto’s life would inevitably uncover a connection leading back to Randy.

Nevertheless, this would not be a simple undertaking. Despite their current attendance at the same university, they were enrolled in entirely separate departments. Max possessed his own athletic talents, yet he lacked the specialized training needed to simply join a national-level soccer team. Moreover, he was not yet ready to venture too close to the danger. His current advantage was the possession of time. With no immediate threats from wild gangs pursuing him through the streets, he could afford to be patient and deliberate.

"Boss!"

A sharp voice pierced through Max’s deep contemplation. Turning to the side, he saw a strikingly attractive woman standing near the edge of the seating area. Looking at her, he felt a persistent sense that he had encountered her before, but the dim campus lighting at night made it difficult to place her.

"Why didn’t you tell me you go here too?" she inquired, approaching him with a wide smile. Suddenly, Max remembered.

"Wait… Aki? From Seaton Academy?"

"Did you already forget about me? We’re still very much a part of the Billion Bloodline group," Aki responded, a hint of playful offense in her tone. "My friends and I constantly post, promoting the latest merchandise. We're practically your biggest marketing force!"

Aki, who had led an all-girls school, was a formidable presence in her own right. She had even played a significant role in the conflict against the Clapton Alliance. Furthermore, she and her group of friends were the primary reason the Bloodline merchandise had achieved such sales success, evolving from mere gang insignia into a legitimate, branded fashion icon. This widespread popularity had inadvertently made it more difficult for rival gangs to simply target individuals on the street, as it became impossible to discern whether a youth in a Bloodline hoodie was a member or merely a fan of the brand.

"It’s not that I forgot," Max stated, observing her. "You just look so different. No piercings, and your attire isn't exactly… sharp?"

"Are you implying I don't usually dress well?" Aki teased, crossing her arms.

Max found this a challenging question to answer. It wasn't that she didn't look good; rather, her typical "delinquent leader" style wasn't to his personal taste. Then again, he constantly reminded himself that his mental age far surpassed that of those around him. It was a disconnect he was still adapting to.

"Also, would you mind not calling me 'Boss' out here?" Max inquired, glancing around to see if any other students had overheard. "I never even asked you to call me that in the first place."

"Sorry, sorry! It’s out of respect," Aki quickly replied. "There are many new members in the group now, and there's a certain protocol for names, you know? If they simply used your name casually, it wouldn't convey proper respect. It would suggest they see themselves as friends rather than subordinates in a vast organization. So, we've taken it upon ourselves to ensure everyone addresses you as Boss."

Max sighed, but he understood her reasoning. In the criminal underworld, designations served as the binding agent for a group during arduous times.

"I understand perfectly," Max stated. "But while we're both here at the university, do your best to keep things discreet. I'd really prefer not to have to explain my 'extracurricular' pursuits to my new classmates, and I've only just met them."

Aki inclined her head in a slight, apologetic bow. It was perhaps a bit too deep and formal, reminiscent of a scene lifted directly from an old mafia film. Max quickly urged her to straighten up, feeling the curious gazes of several students passing by.

"There was something else I wished to inform you about, but we never managed to connect after the Gilt Rats incident," Aki revealed, her demeanor shifting to one of gravity. "A detective visited Seaton recently. He introduced himself as Marvin Morgan and posed numerous questions. A significant number of them were directed specifically at you, Max. And it wasn't only me; many others within our acquaintance group were also subjected to questioning."

Max inwardly sighed, a chill creeping into his heart. He was acutely aware of the potential trouble that man could cause. Morgan was tenacious, like a hound on a scent, never relinquishing his pursuit once he caught a whiff.

"Wait," Max mused, a novel strategy beginning to crystallize within his mind. "Perhaps there's an opportunity to actually leverage him. He is a detective, after all. If I handle this correctly, I might be able to utilize him for the groundwork I cannot... and have him guide me directly to the others."