Chapter 20 – The Fool Who Dared

9:40 AM –

The moment Ethan accepted Lucas's challenge, the classroom fell into a stunned silence.

Then came the murmurs.

At first, it was just a few hushed voices.

Then it grew.

Louder.

Harsher.

Ethan could hear everything.

And none of it was good.

---

9:45 AM –

"He's insane. Where the hell is he gonna get that kind of money?"

"Lucas set him up perfectly. No way he's paying that bill."

"He'll be crawling back, begging to split it three ways, you watch."

Ethan remained silent, his expression calm as ever.

He had heard worse.

But that didn't mean it didn't annoy him.

Lucas, who had returned to his seat, was barely hiding his smirk.

He didn't need to say anything.

The class was already doing it for him.

Ethan could tell Lucas was waiting.

Waiting for him to show a hint of hesitation.

A flicker of doubt.

He wouldn't get it.

---

9:50 AM –

At the back of the room, a guy laughed loudly.

"Damn, Ethan. I didn't think you were this dumb."

Ethan tilted his head slightly, looking at the guy.

Travis Reed.

A loudmouth with a trust fund and an ego too big for his body.

Travis smirked, lounging back in his chair.

"Let's be real, man. You think you're some kind of hotshot? What, did you win the lottery or something?"

A few people snickered.

"Maybe he's planning to dine and dash."

Laughter spread.

Even Jordan winced.

Ethan, however, just smirked.

He leaned back, crossing his arms lazily.

"And here I thought you had at least a little intelligence, Travis."

The smirks wavered.

Travis's eyes narrowed. "What?"

Ethan chuckled.

"I mean, if you actually had a brain, you'd realize I wouldn't make a bet I couldn't afford. But I guess common sense isn't common for everyone."

A few people sucked in their breaths.

Travis's face twisted in irritation.

But before he could say anything, another voice cut in.

"Talk all you want, Ethan. At the end of the day, you're still going to embarrass yourself tonight."

Madeline Greene.

A self-proclaimed queen bee of the class.

She leaned forward, flipping her hair, eyes gleaming with amusement.

"You'll probably be begging Lucas to cover your part before the night even starts."

Someone laughed. "Yeah, I bet he'll use Jordan as an excuse!"

Jordan stiffened. "Hey!"

Ethan, however, just smiled.

A slow, knowing smile.

One that sent a chill down Madeline's spine.

"You know what's funny, Madeline?"

She raised a brow. "What?"

Ethan's smile widened.

"You're acting like you have a single clue about me."

Her smile froze.

The murmurs died down slightly.

Lucas, still smirking, glanced at Ethan with interest.

---

10:00 AM –

The classroom fell into a weird silence.

Ethan's words had rattled them.

They weren't sure why, but something about his confidence felt different.

Like he wasn't just acting tough.

Like he really didn't care.

Lucas, however, wasn't done.

He chuckled.

"You talk big, Ethan. Let's see if you can actually back it up."

Ethan tilted his head. "You'll find out soon enough."

Lucas smirked. "Can't wait."

He turned away, the conversation seemingly over.

The class, however, was still buzzing.

Even if Ethan didn't show it, they were convinced—

He was doomed.

---

10:10 AM –

As Ethan packed up his things, his phone vibrated.

A single message.

James Windsor: "Sir, I'm outside."

Ethan glanced at the time.

Exactly 10 AM.

Punctual as always.

He stood up and slung his bag over his shoulder.

Jordan looked at him curiously. "Where are you going?"

Ethan smirked. "I have a meeting."

Jordan frowned. "With who?"

Ethan simply patted him on the shoulder.

"You'll find out eventually."

And with that, he walked out of the classroom.

---

10:15 AM –

The moment Ethan stepped outside the university gates, he saw it.

A sleek, black Rolls-Royce Phantom parked elegantly at the curb.

The doors opened smoothly.

And stepping out—

A man in a perfectly tailored suit.

James Windsor.

His butler. His general manager. His right-hand man.

James inclined his head respectfully.

"Good morning, sir."

Ethan smirked.

"Morning, James."

With that, he slid into the car.

And as the doors closed behind him, he knew—

Tonight, Lucas Aldridge was in for a rude awakening.