From Bullets To Billions Chapter 656: A Compulsory Event (Part 2)

A thick, lingering tension permeated the business department that morning, settling like a heavy fog. As Max navigated the corridors, his attention was keenly focused on the hushed conversations around him. The upcoming senior-hosted event was the dominant topic, discussed with a blend of anticipation and palpable apprehension.

’I truly wish to avoid this,’ Max thought, his mind dissecting the strategic implications of his attendance. ’With the seniors hosting, Donto will undoubtedly be the guest of honor. While it presents an ideal chance to gather intelligence on his social standing and influence, I have no way to gauge how Donto might react to my presence on his territory.’

He paused, observing his reflection in a windowpane. ’I don’t even know how the original Max Stern was treated by him. However, if Donto orchestrated the attempt on my life, my present health and confidence will scarcely aid my covert status.’

Navigating the halls of June Stone University, Max began to discern a consistent perception of him. He possessed a distinct, unyielding demeanor, a sharp edge that signaled to most individuals the advisability of maintaining distance. The original Max Stern's body had been a testament to frailty and vulnerability, succumbing to bruises and attracting opportunistic predators.

This new embodiment, however, was drastically different. He carried himself with a steady, predatory confidence, and his meticulously styled hair marked him as an individual unafraid to stand out. In the realm of streetwise individuals and delinquents, such an appearance tended to attract two specific kinds of conflict.

The first category comprised the conventional bullies who targeted the weak to assuage their frustrations or to grasp a fleeting sense of dominance. Max no longer fit this profile. The second category, conversely, consisted of those who habitually clashed with anyone perceived as a rival. These were the dominant personalities seeking to assert their strength by diminishing anyone who presented a potential threat.

Although Max's knowledge of Donto remained incomplete, the intercepted rumors were notably consistent: the individual was a veritable magnet for violence. Donto had been implicated in a series of serious altercations, some so severe that any typical student would have faced expulsion and a lifetime ban from collegiate sports. Undeniably, the significant financial power of the Stern family had served as a protective barrier, retaining his position on the soccer team irrespective of his involvement in violent incidents.

Furthermore, this combative nature was not confined to the heir alone. The entire soccer team was notorious for its aggressive,

’They wouldn’t resort to actual violence, would they?’ Max pondered, attempting to make sense of the situation. ’This isn’t some rough high school back in Notting Hill; it’s a prestigious university.’

Yet, even as the thought crossed his mind, he remembered his own surname: Stern. Wherever the Sterns were, trouble was an unavoidable companion.

Jono departed the room, his steps resolute yet unsteady, in search of the senior who had previously engaged with them. He located him just outside the lecture hall. The senior, identified as Sylan, was casually leaning against a pillar, projecting an aura of dangerous boredom in his athletic attire.

"What on earth are you doing here?" Sylan inquired the instant Jono drew near, his gaze sharpening.

"Ah... I actually came to discuss tonight’s event with you," Jono replied, a nervous scratch at the back of his head. "You see, while most of us are eagerly anticipating it, I wanted to inform you that a few students have family matters or pre-existing obligations. I recall you stating that everyone must attend, so I felt it necessary to provide a heads-up, ensuring you don’t perceive it as defiance."

Sylan immediately stood upright, his languid expression evaporating into a surge of predatory rage. "Do you believe this is some kind of game?"

He advanced into Jono’s personal space, towering over him. "It’s merely one evening. A single gathering intended to foster respect between the seniors and the newcomers. If these individuals were capable of attending classes today, they are certainly capable of gracing the party with their presence. It appears my instructions were not taken seriously by all."

With a sudden movement, Sylan seized Jono by the shoulder, his grip intensifying to the point where Jono winced. "You’re coming with me. It seems your class requires another reminder of what 'mandatory' truly signifies!"