Chapter 13 – A New Beginning

Nathan's eyes fluttered open, his head still heavy from the medication. The moment his vision adjusted to the dimly lit yet extravagant room, his heart began to race. This wasn't a hospital—at least not a normal one. The bed beneath him was too luxurious, and the sheer size of the room made it obvious he wasn't in a public facility.

His jaw clenched as realization set in. He was no longer in his hometown.

The door creaked open, and a familiar figure stepped inside. Denis Cole. His father.

Nathan sat up abruptly, his body still sore from the accident, but anger overrode the pain. His voice was hoarse yet sharp.

"Why the hell am I here?! Don't tell me this is one of your setups! That car—your people did that, didn't they?!"

Denis remained silent, his cold gaze unreadable. After a few moments, he finally spoke.

"I moved you here for your safety. The person who hit you wasn't one of mine. Someone must've had a grudge against Cole's Group, and you—our heir—became a target."

Nathan scoffed, barely believing a word of it. "That doesn't explain how they even recognized me. I look nothing like—" He stopped, realization creeping in. If someone could see through his disguise, then... they had to be watching him closely.

Denis continued, his voice firm. "Whether you believe me or not, staying in that city is no longer an option. I brought you overseas for a reason."

Nathan clenched his fists, feeling powerless in the situation. "So, what now? You're just going to keep me here like some kind of prisoner?"

Denis sighed. "You're going to start fresh. You'll be attending school here starting next month."

Nathan's eyes widened in disbelief. "You're kidding."

"I'm not. And you'll start dressing properly, too. No more looking like a vagrant." Denis' tone was sharp, leaving no room for argument.

Before Nathan could protest further, the door opened once again.

A tall, refined young man stepped in, his presence commanding the room instantly. Dressed in an impeccably tailored suit, his sharp eyes scanned Nathan before settling into an unreadable expression.

Denis gestured towards him. "This is Lucien. For now, he'll be your bodyguard—or maybe your close companion, depending on how you see it."

Nathan narrowed his eyes. "So now I need a babysitter?"

Denis ignored the remark, standing up from his seat. He made his way toward the door, pausing before stepping out.

"Get well soon."

And just like that, he was gone.

Nathan stared at the ceiling, his emotions a tangled mess. He had spent years believing that his father never cared, yet here he was—sending him overseas, ensuring his safety, giving him protection. Was this guilt? Or was Denis finally showing some kind of parental concern?

He didn't know.

But more than anything, his thoughts drifted back to Lilian.

He could only hope that his friends would take care of her in his absence.

---

One Month Later

The sleek black limousine rolled to a stop in front of a grand academy, its towering gates and pristine architecture radiating prestige.

Nathan adjusted his tie, his once-messy hair now neatly styled, his entire appearance transformed into something almost unrecognizable.

Beside him, Lucien stepped out first, his movements effortless and precise.

Nathan followed, stepping onto the academy grounds with a mix of resentment and anticipation.

A new beginning. A forced one.

With silent determination, he walked through the gates.

A new chapter in his life had just begun.

End of Chapter 13.