Chapter 2

"I didn't," I said calmly.

"Oh, please. You're just jealous because Keyla and Luke are applying to the same major at the same college," the guy in front of me jeered.

Another classmate stepped up. "You're scared that if we all use this free AI, nobody's going to buy your family's stupid admission guides, right? Fucking shameless. Doing anything for money.

"People from poor families are always so petty. Look at Luke. An app that usually costs 400 dollars, and he just gives it away for free."

Keyla led the crowd as they closed in on me. A dark malice flashed in her eyes. "Justin, a selfish prick like you deserves to be taught a lesson."

Backed into a corner with nowhere to run, the way they looked at me mirrored the escaped convicts from my past life.

I pressed myself against the wall and closed my eyes, bracing for the inevitable blows.

Just then, a security guard walked past the hallway. As the crowd was momentarily distracted, I bolted for the exit.

But the second my foot crossed the threshold, a hand yanked me violently back inside.

Luke glared at me. "In a hurry to go snitch, are we?"

"I'm not snitching. I just want to go home."

"Why should we believe you? Unless… Unless you use the AI college application app too."

Before I could reply, he ripped open my backpack and started rummaging for my phone.

I snatched the bag back, shielding it with my body. "Luke, I don't care how you guys apply, but leave me out of it."

Luke gave a subtle nod, and Keyla, along with another classmate, quickly stepped forward to pull me aside and grab my phone.

A satisfied smirk played on Luke's lips as he tapped download.

When the download finished with a ding, I broke free and lunged, slamming the phone to the ground.

Keyla picked up the shattered device. Turning on me, she slapped me hard across the face. Her sharp nails cut deep into my cheek.

"Justin Drew! Luke is spending his own money to help us. It's not like he's trying to hurt you. Don't be so ungrateful."

With a cold sneer, she popped out my SIM card and slotted it into her own phone.

I watched as they forced a registration under my name.

But the second the system generated my college suggestion report, their faces fell.

Luke's gaze burned with even deeper hatred, while Keyla looked at me with pure disgust.

"You really are a parasite, aren't you? As if you're qualified to go to the same college as us."

Then, she suddenly had an idea. "Let's lower his score by 600 points. Since I helped develop the app, it only takes a few taps anyway."

My eyes widened in sheer horror. I struggled violently against my restraints, yelling, "Keyla, stop! That's three years of my hard work!"

My rage and threats meant absolutely nothing to them. Keyla held her phone up to my face, showing me the altered data and the ruined suggestion report.

She grinned, looking down at me. "Justin, your future is just inheriting that bookstore anyway, so what college you go to doesn't really matter. Now you can go rot peacefully in some community college, and Luke and I won't have to look at your pathetic face every day. Isn't that great?"

The surrounding classmates immediately cheered her on.

"Exactly! You're destined to run the bookstore anyway. When Keyla and Luke get married down the road, they'll remember your 'sacrifice' and send you an invitation."

Even though I already knew exactly what kind of monsters they were from my past life, seeing their ruthless faces again made my stomach churn.

My fingernails dug so deep into my palms that they drew blood, but mentally, I was already counting down the days they had left to celebrate.

I paid extra attention to Keyla, not because I had a crush on her, but because I knew her family background.