" The truth of money: The original evil."
" Kill the Rich!"
" How to deny gold!"
Rowan was skeptical when he saw the titles of the books. These books were among the luggage the servants brought back from his shabby home.
' What the fuck are these books?' Josh cursed internally.
' But, you know what? Never judge a book by its cover.'
Taking a book, Rowan opened it.
Read this book and know the truth the rich are hiding from you! One page, and you will never read another book again.
*PLAP*
Rowan closed the book and threw it away. Patting his palms, Rowan nodded.
' Nope, it's trash.'
A book's first page telling that you won't be needing another book ever?
Josh might used to be a nerd gamer and a crooked criminal, but even he would all this a load of bullcrap.
But recalling his memories, these books are, in fact, the get-to-go book of Rowan.
It all started after the death of his mother. The sudden loss was unbearable for Rowan. Zareth was also grief stricken by the loss of his wife, making him neglect Rowan.
At that moment, Rowan found solace in the books. And the first book was given by none other than Arnold.
The more Rowan read, the more he fell into this rabbit hole. For him, all noble families were leech and sucking the wealth from the poor.
For him, being rich is simply evil. And the world corrects the evil by taking the morals and love away from all wealthy people
What would the world be, if there were no morality or love?
After delving far deep, Rowan made a strange decision. He renounced all his wealth and even rejected his surname.
As he said, to live like a human, money is only a medium. He can earn his share by himself.
He left everything and started to live downtown, like a peasant. Rowan felt like only by doing this, he could return back the world what his family had taken from it.
' This bastard, even a five year old toddler has more smarts than him.' Rowan cursed himself.
The more he recalled, the more horror Rowan felt. He was literally amazed how there could survive a person of such 'great' brains till adulthood?!
Anyways, Rowan also studied in a public institute, guising himself as a commoner and hiding his surname.
And guess what? Surprise! He gets bullied!
Despite leaving the family, Zareth arranged for Rowan a hundred silver coins per month as pocket money. But while saving a little bit, Rowan got the rest of his money stolen by bullies.
Then, Bianca enters his life like an angel. Such a sweet and beautiful woman, Rowan felt like he was flying in clouds.
And when Rowan proposed to her, she agreed!
Because why not? Bianca loved him for what he is, not for his money or statue, which he never revealed to anyone! So, Bianca's love is genuine!
Bianca had Rowan wrapped around her pinkie, a puppy boyfriend who could never say no. And Rowan was happy to oblige her.
And then there was Ricky, Bianca's male best friend. He supported Rowan to go after Bianca, declaring that he is merely like a brother to Bianca.
' Sure, he is just like a brother to me.' Josh cursed under his breath.
' Rowan, Oh Rowan! Is your brain made from osmium and polished smooth? How could such a dense motherfucker exist!'
In the pretext of helping Rowan, Ricky borrowed more than a hundred silver coins from him.
Thinking Ricky is just a pitiful commoner, Rowan gave his money to him without any hesitation.
And in return? He only got the date of returning the money from Ricky, not the money itself.
Every time he would press Ricky, Bianca would step forward. " Ricky's house has very tough finances. Rowan, can't you show a bit of empathy?"
" Does money matters to you that much? Didn't you say, to live like a human, money never matters?"
Rowan would shut the fuck up instantly.
Six months of dating, yet Bianca kept bread crumbing Rowan. And like a hopeless romantic, Rowan sucked up the leftover attentions.
Till two days ago, Ricky caused an accident, beating one of the bullies to half death. He explained how it was a self defence, and he didn't mean to do that.
As Bianca and Ricky lamented about the ending of their future studies, Rowan stepped forward, convincing them to take the blame instead.
And as expected, Ricky and Bianca 'reluctantly' agreed to Rowan's plan.
Before Rowan got arrested, Bianca kissed his cheek for the first time, giving him a charm pendant.
" Always keep this with you, Rowan. It will definitely help you."
For the first time, Rowan got a gift along with a smooch from Bianca. His entire brain exploded with fireworks.
It was truly a surprise for the law enforcers to arrest a young man who went to jail with a grinning face.
Rowan's body trembled as he looked at the pendant on his table.
' From the memories, I remember the vein pattern around that nail used to glow slightly green. But now, it's black, as if it got emptied.'
' Ah, I see, is it a one time use item?'
The pendant wasn't a good luck charm, but a death curse!
The second night in jail, the gift of love around Rowan's neck tightened like a noose. The green veins on the nail glowed as a strange aura appeared from it.
The body twisted in pain, yet Rowan couldn't utter a single scream.
A demonic skull appeared, with three eye holes and three horns, it's skeletal mouth parting sideways like an evil maw.
Rowan's body turned cold in horror, yet he lay on the cold stone bed of the jail cell like a fish on a chopping board.
And the next thing he remembered was the memory of Josh.
Josh trembled, his hand instinctively rubbing his neck.
Despite almost getting choked, there was no stress sign on his neck at all. The cause of death was deemed heart failure.
" Bianca and Ricky, huh?"
Josh clenched his fist as he repeated their names, like a madman plotting for revenge.
" I will definitely return the favor of your lucky charm."
Josh's eyes fell on the pile of books remaining on the bookshelf. Other than the useless philosophical books, there was a collection of history and geographical books too.
" Time to read some real books, Rowan. I promise, I will be a better you."