Chapter 51: The Weight of Regret

Vanessa felt like she couldn't breathe.

Her fingers dug into her dress as she stared at the man she had once belittled—now a king among mortals.

Jackim sat there, unfazed, as if pouring away a hundred thousand dollars meant nothing to him. The crowd whispered, some in awe, others in disbelief. But one thing was certain—Jackim Jackson had arrived.

And Vanessa?

She had thrown him away.

Brian clenched his jaw beside her, his pride burning under the humiliating contrast between him and Jackim.

Jackim, who had once worn second-hand clothes.

Jackim, who had once begged Vanessa to stay.

Jackim, who had been treated as garbage.

Yet now… he reeked of power.

Brian slammed his drink onto the table, his temper boiling over. "I don't know what game this guy is playing, but he's nothing special."

Vanessa said nothing.

Because deep down, she knew the truth—Jackim was no longer the same man.

---

The door closed behind him, sealing away the noise of the club. The moment he was alone, his phone buzzed.

Mysterious Phone: Task Completed.

Reward: Influence Increased.

Jackim smirked as he set his phone down.

This phone had given him more than just tasks. It had reshaped his destiny.

And yet, something still tugged at his heart.

No amount of money could erase the past—the laughter behind his back, the cold shoulders, the betrayals.

Vanessa's stunned face replayed in his mind.

She had looked at him like a ghost from her worst nightmare.

Jackim leaned back in his seat, exhaling.

Was this satisfaction?

Or was it something else?

---

Jackim walked through the university gates, dressed in a sleek yet casual outfit—black jeans, a white designer hoodie, and sneakers that cost more than some students' tuition.

Heads turned.

Whispers followed him.

"Is that really Jackim?"

"He looks so… different."

"I heard he spent a fortune at the club last night. Just wasted money like it was nothing."

"He was poor before, right?"

Jackim ignored the murmurs as he made his way to class.

The real fun had just begun.

---

Inside the Lecture Hall

He took his seat near the back, his posture relaxed. The professor had yet to arrive, and students were still chatting away.

But then—Vanessa entered.

Jackim didn't react.

But she saw him.

Their eyes met.

Vanessa hesitated before walking toward him, her steps slow, cautious.

"Jackim…" she started, her voice softer than he remembered.

He raised a brow. "Something wrong?"

She swallowed hard. "Can we talk?"

Jackim smirked. "We are talking."

Vanessa's nails dug into her palms. "No, I mean—privately."

Jackim leaned back, amusement dancing in his eyes. "Privately? Why? Aren't you with Brian?"

Her lips parted, but no words came out.

Because deep down, she knew—Brian was nothing compared to Jackim now.

And that realization was suffocating.

---

Vanessa felt her stomach twist.

She had convinced herself that Jackim's rise was an exaggeration—just rumors.

Yet now, standing in front of him, she realized something terrifying.

Jackim wasn't the same person anymore.

The poor, humble boy who used to chase after her had vanished.

What sat before her now was a man who exuded an effortless dominance—cold, untouchable, and terrifyingly powerful.

Her heart pounded.

She wanted to speak.

To say something—anything.

But the words refused to leave her lips.

The club scene from last night played in her mind like a haunting dream.

Jackim had poured away a hundred thousand dollars.

Not a single flicker of hesitation.

Not a single moment of concern.

And now… here he was, in the same class as her.

Dressed in luxury.

Exuding a presence that made everyone turn their heads.

---

Jackim watched Vanessa with amusement.

She was struggling to find her voice—the same girl who had once mocked him for being poor.

The same girl who had chosen Brian.

And now?

She was standing in front of him, hesitant, nervous.

How ironic.

Jackim smirked. "Something wrong, Vanessa?"

His tone was calm. Indifferent.

Vanessa flinched. "I… I just wanted to talk."

Jackim leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. "Talk? About what?"

Vanessa hesitated.

Her fingers clenched around the fabric of her skirt.

The stares from the surrounding students made her even more anxious.

How did everything change so fast?

Jackim used to beg for her attention.

Now, she was the one chasing after him.

And worst of all—he didn't even care.

"I… I just wanted to check on you," she finally said.

Jackim chuckled.

"Check on me?" He tilted his head slightly, his sharp eyes glinting with mockery. "Why? Are you worried about me?"

Vanessa's breath hitched.

This wasn't how it was supposed to go.

Jackim was supposed to still care.

He was supposed to still have feelings for her.

Yet the way he looked at her now—like a stranger—made her heart sink.

---

Meanwhile, in the Lecture Hall…

Brian clenched his fists as he watched the exchange.

His blood boiled.

Jackim had already embarrassed him at the club, and now he was stealing Vanessa's attention again.

"Who does he think he is?" Brian muttered under his breath.

His friend, Kevin, leaned in. "Dude, forget about him. He's just acting rich to get back at you."

Brian gritted his teeth. "That bastard is playing mind games. I swear, I'll—"

But before he could finish, the doors opened, and their professor entered.

---

During the Lecture

Jackim barely paid attention.

His mind was elsewhere.

The mysterious phone…

Ever since he had received it, his life had taken a turn no one could have predicted.

Each task it gave him pushed him further into a world of power and mystery.

And the latest notification had been the most intriguing yet.

Mysterious Phone: A New Challenge Awaits.

Location: University Library, Basement Level 2.

Jackim's brows furrowed.

The university didn't even have a Basement Level 2…

Or at least, that's what the students believed.

--

As soon as the lecture ended, Vanessa tried to stop Jackim again.

"Jackim, please." Her voice was softer this time. "Can we talk?"

Jackim glanced at her but said nothing.

Instead, he walked past her without a word.

Vanessa felt her chest tighten.

She turned, desperate, reaching out.

"Jackim—"

But before she could touch him, a new voice interrupted.

"Hey, Vanessa. Is this guy bothering you?"

Vanessa froze.

It was Liam Rivers.

A senior.

Rich. Handsome. Charismatic.

And, unlike Brian, he wasn't just a spoiled brat—he was actually dangerous.

Jackim's gaze flicked toward Liam.

Their eyes met.

And in that brief moment, an unspoken battle had begun.

---