Chapter 43: A Masterclass in Style

Anyone listening in could tell that Mike Carter's words were laced with veiled mockery.

Elliot York was no exception. But for once, he found himself tongue-tied, unable to formulate a comeback.

"You should read more, Elliot. Otherwise, the only thing your brain juice will be good for is selling at the price of soy milk," Mike added nonchalantly.

Elliot clenched his fists, letting out a bitter laugh. "You're here to pay Kenneth back, aren't you? Fine, I'll call your bluff. Let's see how you plan to fake your way through this! Come on, Mike, repay him right now! Everyone in the dorms knows you owe him over ten grand. Let's see you cough it up!"

Raising his voice, Elliot ensured that every dorm around could hear. As if on cue, students poured out of their rooms, abandoning video games, streaming shows, and even risking relationship-ending arguments with their girlfriends to join the spectacle.

"Oh, it's Mike," someone from the adjacent dorm muttered disdainfully. "He's biting off more than he can chew by picking a fight with Elliot."

"Yeah," another chimed in. "Mike, why don't you just pay Kenneth back? Look at him—he's lost weight because of you."

Kenneth Brooks, standing off to the side, tried to diffuse the situation. "Mike, don't listen to them. I've been on a diet."

Elliot turned to his girlfriend, the self-proclaimed social media starlet. "See, babe? That's the kind of person we're dealing with—pathetic."

She giggled and leaned closer to Elliot. "Honey, I'm so lucky to have you."

The crowd grew larger. Kenneth tugged at Mike's arm. "Let's just go grab some barbecue."

But Mike stayed rooted in place.

"Kenneth, how much do I owe you?" Mike asked calmly.

Kenneth sighed, exasperated. "You don't owe me anything! We're brothers—what's yours is mine. Stop letting these idiots get to you."

Mike ignored him and pulled out his phone. "Turn up your volume."

Kenneth hesitated, but Mike's unwavering gaze left him no choice. He reluctantly adjusted the volume.

Elliot smirked. "What, Mike? Trying to make some grand gesture now? Stop embarrassing yourself."

The crowd murmured in agreement, their laughter building.

Then it happened.

A calm, automated voice broke through the noise: "Your PayPal account has received $27,500."

The hallway fell silent.

Kenneth stared at his phone in disbelief. "Mike, where… where did this money come from?"

Mike shrugged nonchalantly. "Pocket change."

He turned to Elliot, whose face had turned a sickly shade of red. Elliot's breaths came in short gasps, his bravado crumbling under the weight of the situation.

Even the self-assured Elliot York only received a modest monthly allowance of about $1,500. And here was Mike, casually transferring Kenneth nearly $30,000.

To Mike, Kenneth was more than a friend—he was family. That bond was priceless.

The silence in the hallway was deafening. The previously jeering crowd was now wide-eyed and slack-jawed. Even Elliot's social media-savvy girlfriend was stunned into silence.

Mike, noticing her gaze, leaned casually toward Kenneth. "Looks like I shortchanged you. My dad insists I spend at least $150,000 a day, and I still have $120,000 left to burn. Guess I'll send you another $15,000."

Ding. Another transfer notification echoed in the hallway.

The crowd was in shock.

Mike smirked. "Still got $105,000 to spend. Man, being rich is such a pain. It's harder than being broke."

The performance was flawless.

The influencer's eyes lit up, and without hesitation, she disentangled herself from Elliot and sidled up to Mike. "Mr. Carter, may I call you that? I'd love to take your name."

The hallway erupted in chaos. Elliot's girlfriend was now clinging to Mike, the man she had mocked moments ago.

Elliot's fists trembled. His humiliation was complete.

Mike glanced at the woman and gently pried her hands off. "Sorry, but I don't associate with what you'd call… a low-tier crowd."

Laughter erupted once more, louder than ever.

"Low-tier!"

"Mike's on fire tonight!"

"I can't believe Elliot's girlfriend jumped ship so fast. Hilarious!"

The influencer was crimson with shame, but there was no escape. In the world of wealth, she held no power.

Elliot was fuming, his face darkening like a storm cloud. "Mike, you—"

Mike cut him off with a smirk. "I'm richer than you."

Turning to Kenneth, Mike said, "Let's go. Barbecue's on me. Oh, and tomorrow, pick out a villa you like. Don't worry about the price—just tell me the name."

Gasps echoed down the hallway. A villa? For Kenneth?

Elliot watched helplessly as Mike and Kenneth walked away, their laughter echoing in the distance. His influencer girlfriend tried to salvage the moment. "Honey, I was just testing him! You know I love you."

Elliot's palm connected with her cheek in a sharp slap. "Get out of my sight!"

As she scurried off, Elliot stormed downstairs, his mind a whirlwind of anger and confusion. How had Mike, once the poorest in their dorm, become so rich?

His rage was interrupted by a figure stepping out of the shadows: Chris Miller.

"Vice President?" Elliot recognized him immediately.

"Call me Chris," he said with a smirk. "I heard everything."

"Chris, how is Mike this rich?" Elliot asked, desperation in his voice.

Chris's smile widened. "Doesn't matter. What matters is… now, you're rich too."

Elliot blinked. "What do you mean?"

"Our family is sponsoring a new show, 'True Billionaire.' You've been selected as a contestant," Chris explained. "We've allocated one billion dollars for you to spend. And I'm authorizing you to use it now—with one condition."

"What condition?"

"Use it to destroy Mike Carter," Chris said, his grin turning sinister.

-----------------------------------------------

Meanwhile, at a barbecue stand, Mike received an urgent call from Ethan Howard. "Sir, the Millers are expediting their rival show's production. It's five times faster than expected. Are you sure we shouldn't adjust our pace?"

"Don't worry," Mike said, unfazed. "Did you set up the surprise?"

"It's ready," Ethan confirmed.

"Good," Mike said with a smile. "Let them rush. The faster they go, the harder they'll crash. Watch me turn their attack into a payday."