From Bullets To Billions novel Chapter 202

Chapter 202: Breaking A Relationship

When Max walked back into the classroom, it was as if the entire room had frozen in place.

Every student turned toward him, their eyes wide with curiosity, confusion, and awe. No one said anything, not even Max. He strolled back to his seat like it was just another school day, like nothing out of the ordinary had just happened.

Except... there was one thing different.

He was smiling. Not his usual half-smirk or confident grin, but a full, wide, satisfied smile that stretched across his face. The kind of smile that made people wonder just what he knew that they didn’t.

Even the teacher paused, glancing at Max as if he wanted to ask what had just taken place outside. But after a few seconds of internal debate, he simply chose to let it go and instead cleared his throat to make an announcement.

"Due to the incident that just occurred," the teacher said, "the next lesson is canceled. Lunch break will be extended."

The classroom instantly lit up.

"Oh, sweet!" several students cheered, slapping high fives and whooping with excitement. It wasn’t the first time something unusual had happened since Max had transferred into their school, and they were starting to think that maybe, just maybe, Max’s presence was the best thing that had ever happened to them.

As the students began rearranging their desks and enjoying the extended break, it didn’t take long for Jay and Joe to make their way over to Max. Without even asking, they pulled their chairs and desks close, forming a loose circle around him.

"I still can’t believe what just happened," Joe said, shaking his head. "Like, seriously, I had to pinch myself to make sure I wasn’t dreaming."

"We just absorbed the entire Clapton alliance. And West Brinhurst," he continued, wide-eyed. "The Bloodline group now controls all of Brinhurst. All of it! I don’t think anyone’s ever done that before. Not in the history of Brinhurst... not even in all of Notting Hill City. Max, you’re going to become a legend. A local legend!"

"Do you really think he cares about something like that?" Jay said, glancing at Max with a knowing look. "I don’t think Max is planning to stop here."

He was right.

Sure, to most people, especially high school students, taking over an entire district was the peak of notoriety. A status symbol no one else had ever reached. It was something that would be talked about for years in delinquent circles.

But did the real power players care?

Did the street gangs? The organized crime groups? The syndicates that operated behind the curtain?

Not likely. High school territory wasn’t something that showed up on resumes in that world.

Jay was just about to voice another thought when the classroom door suddenly slid open.

Three girls walked in one after another, Abby, Cindy, and Sheri.

They strode over with purpose, and without hesitation, pulled chairs from nearby desks. Although "pulled" wasn’t quite the right word, other students had already offered up their seats before the girls even asked. Everyone knew exactly where they were headed.

’Since when did those three become best friends?’ Max thought, narrowing his eyes slightly. ’Why does it feel like all the connections in my life are crashing together at once?’

He mentally ticked them off.

Cindy, whose father was now managing his finances.

Abby, the girl used as leverage to control his spending.

And Sheri, his ex-fiancée from the Stern family.

And somehow, all three of them were now friends? It was almost poetic. Or tragic.

"What do you three want?" Joe asked, folding his arms. "Can’t you see we’ve had a busy day?"

"When was the last time you were actually busy?" Cindy shot back.

Joe frowned. "You guys have no idea what we’ve been dealing with. If you did, maybe you’d start showing a little respect."

Dangerous was an understatement.

[We need you this evening.]

"Why do you have to talk to me like that?" Abby’s voice cracked slightly. "I’m just... I’m worried about you. I know I can’t stop you, but can’t I at least care?"

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