Chapter 37: A New Circle

Jackim stood in the grand courtyard, his breath still uneven from the fight. The night air buzzed with murmurs and quiet laughter, but he could feel the shift in atmosphere.

Before, they had seen him as an outsider—someone unworthy.

Now, they saw him differently.

Adrian Leclair, the man he had just exchanged blows with, smirked as he patted Jackim's shoulder. "You're tougher than you look."

Jackim didn't respond. He wasn't sure if Adrian was being genuine or just testing him further.

A woman's voice cut through the crowd. "Interesting."

Jackim turned.

A woman in a crimson dress stepped forward, her heels clicking against the marble floor. She was tall, poised, with a commanding presence. Dark waves of hair framed her sharp features, and her gaze was piercing.

Madam X.

She had been watching all along.

She smiled faintly. "You learn quickly, Mr. Jackson."

Jackim exhaled, rolling his shoulders. "I don't have much choice."

Her lips curved slightly. "Indeed. But I wonder… how far are you willing to go?"

Jackim's brows furrowed. "What do you mean?"

She stepped closer, her voice lowering. "You've seen a glimpse of this world tonight. It operates beyond money, beyond titles. It is a world of strength." She studied him. "And strength is not something given. It is taken."

Jackim held her gaze. "And what if I decide I don't want to take it?"

Madam X chuckled softly. "Then you will always be beneath those who do."

Silence stretched between them.

Jackim knew she was testing him.

He could walk away. Return to his quiet student life, continue living under the weight of everyone's judgment.

Or…

He could step forward.

And claim a place in a world that had always looked down on him.

His fingers clenched. His mind flashed back to all the times he had been humiliated, mocked, abandoned.

Jackim inhaled deeply.

Then, he looked Madam X straight in the eyes.

"I'm not afraid of a challenge."

A flicker of amusement crossed her face. "Good."

She turned to Adrian. "Take him inside. He'll need to be introduced properly."

Adrian grinned. "This should be fun."

Jackim wasn't sure if 'fun' was the right word.

But he had made his choice.

There was no turning back.

---

Jackim followed Adrian through a set of massive double doors, stepping into a lavish hall. The scent of aged wood and expensive liquor filled the air. Chandeliers hung above, casting a golden glow over the polished floors.

Everywhere he looked, there were people. Some laughed over drinks, others whispered in hushed conversations. But one thing was clear—everyone here held power in some form.

And now, he was among them.

Adrian led him through the hall, weaving past sharply dressed men and elegantly poised women. Finally, they stopped before a circular bar at the back of the room.

A bartender with silver-streaked hair raised an eyebrow at them. "New face?"

Adrian smirked. "He's being evaluated."

The bartender chuckled. "Aren't we all?" He poured a drink. "Name?"

Jackim hesitated. "Jackim Jackson."

A few heads turned. The name was unfamiliar to them.

But that would change.

Adrian leaned against the bar. "If you're sticking around, you need to know the rules."

Jackim listened intently.

"There are no handouts here," Adrian said. "Connections matter, but in the end, only strength determines your place. That means wealth, skill, influence—everything you can use to survive."

Jackim nodded slowly.

"Also," Adrian added, "watch your back."

Jackim frowned. "Why?"

Adrian took a sip of his drink. "Because the moment people see potential in you… they either want to use you or destroy you."

Jackim absorbed the words. He had already seen glimpses of that truth.

And yet, he was still standing.

---

As Jackim adjusted to his surroundings, a new presence entered the hall.

A young woman, draped in a sleek black dress, moved through the crowd like a whisper. Her steps were light, effortless, but her eyes held something dangerous.

Jackim stiffened.

He knew that face.

Emma.

His ex-girlfriend. The one who had left him when he was at his lowest.

She hadn't seen him yet. She was laughing, linking arms with a tall man in a tailored suit. He was one of the wealthy elite, clearly someone powerful in this hidden world.

Jackim's chest tightened.

So this was where she had ended up.

Adrian noticed his expression. "You know her?"

Jackim exhaled slowly. "Used to."

Adrian followed his gaze. His smirk widened. "Ah. A ghost from your past, huh?"

Jackim didn't respond. He just watched as Emma continued to play her role in this world of wealth and power.

Did she think he was still the same?

Did she still believe he was beneath her?

A quiet resolve settled within Jackim.

Let her believe whatever she wanted.

Soon enough, she would learn the truth.

And when she did…

She would regret everything.