From Bullets To Billions Chapter 652: The Mysterious Man (Part 2)

Yovan remained uncertain about Max's moral standing. Her stubborn nature led her to distrust individuals who exuded a cold, distant demeanor, believing such people often concealed darker aspects of their personality. She theorized that Max might have returned Talia's ID, but it was equally possible he orchestrated the encounter, perhaps even stealing the card initially to manufacture a meeting. Alternatively, Yovan's own resistance to admitting she might be wrong could be fueling these elaborate, self-constructed scenarios designed to avoid offering a genuine apology.

Nevertheless, this presented a unique opportunity to gather information about the enigmatic Max from those who might possess knowledge of his past. Positioned behind Steve and Jono, the girls subtly leaned forward, their breaths held delicately to avoid drawing attention, straining to hear the hushed exchange.

"Can you drop it with those wild theories?" Jono's voice sliced through the low murmur of the lecture hall as more students occupied the tiered seats. "We all met him at the dorm party, and he's incredibly reserved. He essentially spent half the night in the restroom and the other half looking completely out of place. There's no way he was involved in anything like what you're implying."

Steve glanced over his shoulder, catching a brief glimpse of Max at the far end of the room. He quickly lowered his head, as if ensuring his observation went unnoticed.

"I'm serious, though! It was all over my high school," Steve whispered urgently, his hands gesturing emphatically. "They talked about a kid who supposedly unified all the rival schools in Notting Hill. The stories claimed he conquered and recruited the top delinquents from every campus, forging a massive alliance. He reportedly defeated anyone who stood against him, and there are even whispers that his crew clashed with an actual gang."

He leaned closer to Jono, his eyes wide, a mixture of apprehension and awe palpable. "You know, the kind of groups involved in actual killings, operating deep within the Underworld? The legends claim they even triumphed over them! They apparently dubbed their leader the 'Demon of the Streets' or something equally chilling."

Jono couldn't suppress a stifled, skeptical chuckle, which drew a few glances from students nearby. "And you genuinely credit all of that? What you're describing sounds like an urban legend or a plot from a subpar action film. And even if, for a moment, we entertain the possibility that it's all true, do you truly believe the Max sitting here now, dressed in a plain hoodie and engrossed in a textbook, is the same 'Demon' capable of such feats?"

Both boys, along with the girls situated directly behind them, turned to observe Max again. He was currently looking down, appearing to be deeply focused on the introductory business textbook. While his physique suggested athleticism, with broad shoulders and a lean frame, he didn't present the image of a menacing figure or a legendary street brawler. He resembled any other student enduring a monotonous lecture. Furthermore, if an individual possessed the capability to lead a city-wide alliance, why would they be attending a freshman business class at June Stone University? It simply didn't align.

"But the name fits perfectly," Steve insisted, his voice trembling slightly as he clutched the edge of his desk. "His name is Max Smith. And it's not just the name; his appearance, particularly that blood-red hair. How many people do you know with that exact shade of red hair?"

Steve shivered, imagining the potential chaos if anyone present were to cross Max. He envisioned Max as a volatile threat concealed beneath a student's guise.

"Do you have any idea how many people are named 'Max Smith' globally?" Jono asked, rolling his eyes with an exaggerated sigh. "It's practically the most common name imaginable. You might as well claim he's a secret agent named John Doe."

"With red hair? From this city? Our age?" Steve retorted, leaning forward with each utterance until he was practically face-to-face with Jono. "The odds are astronomically low! It has to be him!"

"Once again, I maintain that I don't even believe those stories are real to begin with," Jono stated with unshakeable conviction, crossing his arms and leaning back. He seemed intent on concluding the discussion and shifting to a more grounded topic. "The guy over there is far more likely to be the son of a secret millionaire than any kind of legendary gangster."

"See? What did I tell you?" Yovan said, nudging Talia with her elbow. "He possesses a terrible reputation. Someone capable of such deeds... it signifies a willingness to easily orchestrate a chance encounter or lift an ID card simply to ensnare a girl's heart. He is a manipulator, Talia. A perilous one."

"So you genuinely credit those tales, then?" Talia inquired, a playful spark igniting in her gaze as she observed Yovan's inner turmoil.

Yovan hesitated for a moment, suddenly feeling as though she had stumbled into a snare of her own devising. If she truly deemed Max a reprobate based on Steve's purported