From Bullets To Billions novel Chapter 31

Chapter 31 - The Stalker

Since Sam's death, a few days had passed at school. The police had wrapped up their investigation, and the results were finally out.

It was officially ruled a suicide.

According to the report, Sam had climbed to the top of a six-story building near his family's home, an old apartment complex. Once he reached the roof, he jumped. No one had been there. No one forced him. No one coerced him.

And just like that, the case was closed.

The authorities had decided not to press charges, not against any students, not against anyone. Max figured it had everything to do with Odin Law Firm. Their reputation alone was enough to make the police think twice. It was a fight the local department likely knew they'd lose, and even if they won, what would they really gain? A slap on the wrist for a few high schoolers?

Nothing that would bring Sam back.

As for Max, those few days had been eerily quiet. The bullying? Gone. The trio that once ruled the classroom with cruel grins and cheap laughs? Completely silent. The teachers, too, were suddenly alert, more aware, probably out of guilt or fear that another student might do something drastic.

It gave Max some space, space to clear his head... and push his training to its absolute limit.

Part of training, Max knew, wasn't just about pushing limits, it was about recovery too. And with the constant hits from the others, recovery had been nearly impossible.

His strength still wasn't anywhere near what it had once been, but his stamina... that was coming back fast.

Then came the third day since Sam's death. It was a Friday, right before the weekend, when the teacher walked into the room and cleared his throat, his expression unusually serious.

"I have an important announcement regarding the tragic events that occurred recently," he began, adjusting his glasses. "Sam's parents will be holding his funeral tomorrow. They've invited all of his classmates to attend.

"Of course, attendance isn't mandatory," he continued, "but if you were close with Sam, it might be a good time to say a few kind words and pay your respects."

Only those from their class had been invited.

Max understood why. Sam's parents had no idea who his real friends were, if he had any at all. So they'd invited the entire class, assuming someone, anyone, had cared enough to show up.

But Max knew the truth.

Sam had no friends. No one to help him. No one who truly saw him.

On his way home, Max stopped by the gym. This time, every punch he threw at the heavy bag echoed louder than before, each one sharp, furious, like he was trying to knock something loose from his chest.

Steven could tell right away.

Those fists... they weren't about training.

They were about rage.

'I wouldn't want to be the poor soul standing on the other side of those hits,' Steven thought, watching from the counter. 'And that damned kid... he still hasn't told me whether he was serious about that offer or not. I... I've got to figure something out with these debts. If I don't, I'll owe him, and a lot more people, way more than I can pay back.'

Later, Max made his way home. He got some rest, knowing what tomorrow held. But early in the morning, a knock on the door stirred him from sleep. Still in his briefs, he stumbled to the door and peeked through the peephole.

He blinked once.

"Oh, right. It's the weekend," he muttered. "Guess he showed up earlier than expected."

"Stalker?" Aron said, raising a brow as he stepped in, one hand holding up a black-covered hanger. "You're calling me a stalker? When I only show up at your request, only on weekends, and I've bent over backward to fulfill all your demands?"