That's right—Grayson was silentG.Thinking back to being looked down on by Indie's roommates at Bar Nineteen, and to Sienna breaking up with him, Grayson suddenly wondered if his values were wrong.Being honest, sincere, and low‑key was admirable, but this world was ruled by money.If that was true, then let money do the talking.
When he saw Tanner showing off in the livestream—especially mocking and belittling Miles and Tyler—Grayson sneered and instantly topped up his streaming account with two hundred thousand dollars.That sum was negligible to Grayson—mere pocket change.
Watching Lexi address silentG as "big brother," her gaze brimming with feminine flirtation, a flicker of pleasure stirred within him.Damn, perhaps deep down I'm still an arrogant, domineering second‑generation rich after all?
…
The next day, just before noon, Jace returned to the dorm.
"Jace—finally back! Legs feel wobbly, huh? Back killing you?" Tyler winked, teasing."Having a girlfriend's great," Miles added, enviously.
Jace hadn't returned until midday. After the bar gathering last night, he'd spent the night out with Indie—everyone knew what that meant.
"Guys, bad news," Jace said.
"What? You broke up with Indie?" Miles blurted."No way—Indie's a good girl. You didn't split up, right?" Tyler laughed. He knew that if Jace and Indie broke up, the joint dorm hangout would be off—he'd lose any chance to see Indie's roommates again. Even though his odds with them were slim, just hanging out and having dinner was enough.
"No, no—that's not it. Last night…" Jace rubbed his nose, then fell silent, as if embarrassed. He hurried on: "Remember the girl who left first at the bar—Indie's roommate Lila Bennet? Something happened to her."
"She got hurt?" Miles froze, then slapped his hands together. "Yes! Finally!""Right—bad people get their comeuppance. That's too perfect, given how she treated Grayson." Tyler applauded.
"What happened?"Grayson, unlike Miles and Tyler, wasn't gloating—he asked directly. Lila had looked down on him and stormed off, but she was Indie's friend, and Indie was Jace's girlfriend. Plus, he'd been in the wrong for eating her leftovers.
"Sigh—remember when Lila walked off, she ran into that guy?" Jace said."Yeah—some guy tried to buy her a drink.""Maybe a friend of hers, I wasn't paying close attention.""But didn't Lila slap him? She really has a fiery temper. That guy must've been a loser to mess with her." Miles and Tyler recalled last night's scene.
"You're all wrong," Jace shook his head. "That guy wasn't Lila's acquaintance. He was hitting on her. Even more, he wasn't some loser—he's a serious second‑generation rich heir. Future head of Sterling Gate Group—Jaxon Langston. His father is none other than Victor Langston, CEO of Sterling Gate."
What?!Miles and Tyler were stunned. Though neither was local, they'd heard of Sterling Gate's formidable reputation in this city—a major enterprise with high standing.
"True, Lila's dad owns a company and they're well‑off, but compared to Sterling Gate they're several tiers below."Jace continued: "Apparently, after that incident Jaxon told his father. Victor Langston has doted on Jaxon since childhood. When he learned someone slapped his son, how could he let it go?"
"Victor immediately sent people to investigate. Once they confirmed Lila had struck Jaxon, they uncovered her background. This morning, Victor mobilized both underworld and law‑enforcement contacts to target Lila's family. First, dozens of unemployed thugs were sent to her father Charles Bennet's SilverStream company to trash the place—smash windows, wreck equipment. Then he spread word in the business community, scaring off over a dozen suppliers and distributors. SilverStream's operations are now at a complete standstill."
"Holy shit—that's ruthless."Tyler's eyes widened. "Lila really pissed off the wrong people."
"Charles Bennet gave Lila a furious dressing‑down. She must be regretting it. He's been desperately calling every contact he's got, but nobody's willing to help. Lila's been crying all morning in the dorm—Indie, Maya, and Avery have been consoling her. They say she hasn't eaten a thing since last night." Jace sighed.
"What does Sterling Gate want? Did he specify terms?" Grayson asked.
"Yeah. Victor Langston has a gangster past—he legit 'white‑washed' himself by founding Sterling Gate, but the underworld instincts remain. He demands Lila spend one night with his son Jaxon. During that time, Jaxon can do anything to Lila without legal consequence. She must obey unconditionally. Of course, he won't kill her—just break her in."
"What the hell—so she's basically forced to spend the night with that bastard? High‑class ransom." Miles said in disbelief."Sucks for Lila," Tyler admitted, sympathy creeping in despite his earlier glee.
"Yeah—unfortunately, there's nothing we can do." Jace shook his head."Let's go see her and offer comfort. After all, we're supposed to be dorm‑mingling partners." Tyler said."Right—let's go. Grayson, you coming?"
Grayson naturally went along.
They registered at the girls' dorm and went up to Lila's room. As expected, the suite was immaculate and tastefully decorated—cute bedding, pretty curtains. Lila sat in the center, tear‑streaked and haggard, while Indie, Maya, and Avery quietly comforted her.
"Lila—we came to see you," Jace said gently."Don't worry so much," Miles added. "We live in a society of laws. Sterling Gate won't go too far.""Yeah—call the cops! This is lawlessness." Tyler chimed in.
But Lila, drained by her ordeal, looked up with hooded eyes. "You don't understand," she whispered. She'd lost the will to sneer at Miles and Tyler. They'd come with good intentions, but they simply couldn't grasp the rules of the rich.
"Calling the police? Ha. Victor Langston has friends on both sides of the law. His reach is real."
Jace thought for a moment. "We should try leveraging our own connections. I'll ask my father to see if he can help.""I'll ask too," Indie, Maya, and Avery all volunteered. Their families had resources, though none could match Sterling Gate. Still, comfort was comfort.
"Don't worry—your family will pull through. This storm will pass," Grayson said quietly.
"You're here too?"Lila looked at him with frosty eyes. "Hmph—you've got some nerve."
Everyone paused."Grayson's here because he cares," Jace quickly interjected."He's here to mock me," Lila shot back, standing and advancing on Grayson. "If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have left early yesterday. If I hadn't left, I wouldn't have met that asshole Jaxon. If I hadn't met him, none of this would've happened!"
…No one knew what to say."It's all your fault—get out!" Lila pointed toward the door.
Grayson smiled wryly, knowing words were useless. He turned and walked out. Jace and Indie hurried after him.
"Grayson—don't take Lila's words to heart," Sierra said softly. "She's distraught.""I know. I'm fine," Grayson replied. "You two go back and comfort her."
With a shared sigh, Jace and Indie returned to the girls' suite.
Inside the room, Lila, still furious, pulled out her phone. "I can't see that bastard again," she muttered. "Right—I just remembered from your reminder—I have a high‑school friend Ryan Walker whose father's powerful. I'll call him. And Ethan Brooks—his dad has clout too…"
Meanwhile, in the guys' dorm, Jace was on his phone calling his parents. Indie, Avery, and the others were dialing their fathers."I know a guy from the construction site who's doing well—he's from my hometown. I'll ask him," Tyler said, rummaging for a lead."I'll ask my brother," Miles added.
After Grayson left, he also took out his phone and paused—then dialed a number."Grandpa Jenkins, it's Grayson."On the other end, an aged but robust voice answered, "Young Master Grayson! Hearing your voice is a blessing!"