CHAPTER FIVE THEME: Where it all began

“The Blackwood Academy—a place where Elites connect to Elites and the rich get richer.”

“They’re taking pictures and videos of us! Let me go!” Marlene shouted, and he released her as if nothing had happened a few minutes ago.

“You don’t belong here! The sooner you realize that, the better for you,” she snapped. Whispers spread across the room. Students pulled out their phones, searching for information on Dre and Ethan.

“What if Marlene is right? They don’t belong here?”

“They must come from the streets.”

“But they don’t look like street kids… their skin, their posture…”

“There’s nothing about them online, which only fuels our suspicion that Marlene may be right,” one student declared. Ethan said nothing as he sat back down. He didn’t try to deny the claims, nor did he attempt to prove himself.

One thing was certain: he planned to put Marlene in her place for drawing unnecessary attention.

“This class is over! It’s obvious you don’t see the need to focus!” he snapped, leaving the room.

Marlene stood up. Ruby rushed to her, while Jamila’s eyes briefly met Ethan’s before she looked away.

“How are you, girl? Are you okay? With the way they took pictures and videos, I’m sure your dad will make things difficult. Why was he so mad at you?” Ruby asked. Jamila munched on an expensive bag of chips.

“I confronted him about the janitor at the club. He didn’t like it. That guy isn’t what he claims to be. I don’t know how he got into Blackwood Academy without a formal scholarship, and it makes me uncomfortable,” Marlene revealed.

“Maybe you should stop being so inquisitive and let them focus on their studies. If the guy is really from a humble background, your curiosity might just earn you enemies. Plus, that guy should be bending you over, not being your enemy,” Ruby teased. Jamila blushed and covered her ears as the girls laughed.

“I’m not going to bend over for that arrogant guy with a filthy attitude. He must be dangerous. Have you seen the number of tattoos he has? It’s scary,” Marlene commented.

“Well, he has beautiful eyes,” Jamila said, making the girls blink in surprise.

“You’re too innocent for Ethan La Rosa. Avoid him, even if it’s the last thing you do,” Ruby warned. Marlene smirked. Ethan was a secret she was determined to unravel.

That night, she didn’t go to the Blackwood estate. Instead, she stopped by her older brother’s penthouse.

“Hey,” someone greeted her. She waved and smiled as she put out her cigarette.

Her eyes immediately noted the girl in Miguel’s penthouse, fully revealing herself. Marlene didn’t need anyone to explain what was happening—she knew exactly who the girl was.

“Hey, kiddo,” Miguel said, clad in sweatpants, approaching her.

“Miguel,” Marlene said, kissing both sides of his cheeks.

“You should get going. I sent your money to the agency,” Miguel instructed. She glared at him before leaving the room.

“Why are you still seeing call girls, Miguel? What if she isn’t clean?” she asked.

“You’re too young to ask such questions. Besides, she’s from an agency—I verified everything. I don’t just… smash,” he said teasingly.

“When do you intend to get married or have a girlfriend?” she asked.

“Getting married? Please, don’t say that again. It’s funny,” he laughed.

“Funny? What’s funny about finding someone you want to spend your life with? Caspian is 38, Thane is 35, you’re 33, Liam is 30, Hans is 28… I’m 22. None of my brothers are married, well, except Caspian before…,” she trailed off, feeling that familiar ache.

“We don’t talk about it much because it reopens old wounds. If life wasn’t so complicated and the world didn’t have all these beautiful women, it wouldn’t be hard to choose a wife, don’t you think?” Miguel teased.

“So it’s because of… women that you’re unmarried? That’s crazy,” Marlene said. He laughed.

“I love you, baby sis. I’m supposed to be your favorite brother,” he said, pulling her into his arms.

“It’s Hans, Liam, then you,” she said, making his jaw drop.

“I feel cheated. You have my black card, keys to my penthouse, storm my yacht whenever you like, and use my private jet more than the others,” he complained.

“You’re my sugar baby. I have everyone’s black cards, even bitter Caspian’s, so it’s not a problem,” she said. Miguel gasped.

“It’s official, I don’t have a sister anymore,” he said, and she laughed.

“I love you, Miguel!” she shouted excitedly as he went upstairs.

“Mimi, I love you,” she laughed.

“Go get a man,” his voice called from upstairs.

“I have five able men!” she teased, thinking of Ethan. She smirked, curious about what he was up to.

“You honestly have no idea what you’ve involved yourself in! Her father owns Blackwood Academy! She can ruin you, Ethan. Don’t let your identity be exposed. They think you’re a La Rosa—let it stay that way! Don’t ruin Salvador’s plans by frolicking with the children of stakeholders!” Vincent snapped over the phone.

“I didn’t talk to her! She tried to touch me! That girl is crazy!” Ethan muttered under his breath, calm despite his frustration.

“You’re extremely… good-looking, Ethan. It’s normal for girls to seek your attention. She may be flirtatious, but it’s up to you to control things, not cause a scene,” Vincent continued.

“This isn’t about my looks. Molly and I met at the club before this Salvador situation. She knows I’m not rich, and she might start talking,” Ethan explained.

“I still think you should bend her over. If the two of you… smash, she might calm down,” Dre laughed. Vincent and Ethan shot him daggers.

“He’s not going to do that! Don’t get near Marlene, or her father and brothers will blacklist you. By the way, her name is Marlene, not Molly,” Vincent said.

“She saw me in a janitor’s uniform. She’s inquisitive and wants to figure me out. That’s frustrating. Maybe she’s the one we need to put in check, not me,” Ethan said, adjusting his jeans.

“I’ll inform Salvador of everything that happened. Just make sure you don’t appear in school news with Marlene,” Vincent said. Ethan nodded.

“But that girl is so beautiful…” Dre trailed off.

“Nixon!” Vincent snapped. Dre laughed.

Ethan went upstairs and received a text from Vincent: Lilian and Reina had been moved out of their former house to avoid paparazzi, especially now that Ethan and Dre had trended in school. Ethan rubbed his face in frustration. He hadn’t wanted them involved.

Thane stared at pictures sent to his email—his baby sister, Marlene, bent over for a dark-skinned guy who looked like trouble. He pinched the bridge of his nose and closed his laptop.

The team couldn’t find any information on the boy; it was as if he didn’t exist. Thane’s frustration grew.

“Marlene finds new ways to frustrate this family. Who is this troublemaker?” he asked, drinking water. He preferred water over alcohol.

“Mr. President,” one assistant said, entering his office. “Inform the La Rosa kid I want to see him. News shouldn’t reach Dad or Caspian—they wouldn’t handle it lightly.” Thane nodded.

He stared out of his window at Blackwood Academy. He’d rather vanish than deal with this—but this was reality.

Ethan was typing schoolwork when Jax stopped men in suits from entering their penthouse.

“Go in, Ethan. I’ve got this,” Jax said calmly.

“What’s going on? Are we already in trouble with the rich kids?” Dre asked, coming out of his room in casuals.

“The President of Blackwood Academy demands your presence immediately,” one man said. Ethan remained calm.

“Tell him I have schoolwork and will consider seeing him later today,” Ethan replied. The guards stared, shocked.

Ethan returned to his room.

“Jesus!” Jax muttered.