Chapter 6: A Lesson in Irony

The lecture hall was already filling up when Lucia and Adrian stepped inside. Rows of students chattered among themselves, some flipping through notes while others scrolled aimlessly on their phones.

Lucia led Adrian to an empty pair of seats near the middle, far enough to avoid too much attention but not suspiciously isolated.

“Keep your head down,” she muttered as they sat.

Adrian smirked. “Afraid I’ll ruin your normal student life?”

“I’m afraid some rich girl obsessed with Forbes lists will recognize you and cause a scene,” she shot back.

Adrian chuckled, but he did as she said, pulling the cap lower over his face.

A moment later, Professor Callahan entered the room, setting his bag on the desk before turning to the whiteboard.

“Alright, settle down,” the professor said, his deep voice carrying easily over the murmur of students. “Today, we’re going to analyze a case study on corporate expansion and strategic media acquisitions.”

Lucia started pulling out her notebook, but she froze at the professor’s next words.

“We’ll be looking at Sinclair Enterprises as an example.”

Lucia’s eyes widened slightly, and she turned her head toward Adrian.

He had gone completely still.

Callahan continued, unaware of the billionaire heir sitting right in his classroom.

“Sinclair Enterprises is one of the most powerful media conglomerates in the world. With strategic acquisitions, aggressive market expansion, and high-stakes decision-making, they’ve maintained a monopoly-like presence across broadcasting, digital media, and publishing.”

The students scribbled notes. Others were distracted by one thing or the other, while Lucia kept glancing at Adrian, waiting for a reaction.

Adrian remained impassive, his expression unreadable.

The professor clicked on a slideshow, displaying a chart of Sinclair Enterprises’ acquisitions.

“Let’s discuss how a company like Sinclair uses money and influence to expand. One of their most controversial moves was their hostile takeover of BlueWave Studios last year. Now, can anyone tell me why this was such a strategic yet ruthless decision?”

A girl in the front row raised her hand. “Because BlueWave had a strong independent presence and a loyal audience. By acquiring them, Sinclair eliminated competition and gained exclusive control over a rising platform.”

“Exactly,” Callahan nodded. “And what did that move show about Sinclair’s business tactics?”

Another student chimed in. “That they don’t just compete. They dominate. They buy out anything that threatens their empire.”

Lucia snuck another glance at Adrian.

Still nothing. No smug smirk, no witty remark.

Just silence.

The professor switched slides, showing a quote from Sinclair’s CEO.

“Let’s examine a direct statement from Christopher Sinclair, the CEO and chairman of Sinclair Enterprises—”

Lucia felt Adrian’s entire body tense beside her.

She turned slightly. His face was blank, but his fingers had curled slightly into fists.

Christopher Sinclair.

His father.

Lucia bit her lip. This might be worse than I thought.

The professor read the quote aloud.

“In business, there are no friends, only assets and liabilities. The world belongs to those who can buy it.”

A few students murmured at the cutthroat statement.

Lucia saw Adrian’s jaw tighten.

“So,” Callahan continued, “What does this philosophy tell us about Sinclair Enterprises?”

One student scoffed. “That they don’t care about ethics, just profit.”

Another nodded. “It’s all about power. If they can afford it, they own it.”

Lucia finally nudged Adrian’s arm lightly.

“You okay?” she whispered.

He exhaled slowly, unclenching his fists.

“Peachy,” he muttered.

Lucia wasn’t convinced.

The professor clapped his hands. “Alright. Let’s shift perspectives. Imagine you’re the heir to a media empire like Sinclair Enterprises. You have unlimited wealth, influence, and resources. But you also have a reputation to uphold. What would you do differently?”

A guy in the back laughed. “Spend millions on an island and never work a day in my life.”

The class chuckled.

Another student said, “Maybe focus on innovation instead of crushing competition?”

Callahan nodded. “Interesting. Anyone else?”

Lucia hesitated, then glanced at Adrian.

Then, before she could stop herself, she raised her hand.

The professor gestured to her. “Yes, Miss Gregory?”

Lucia cleared her throat. “I’d… prioritize impact over control. Instead of acquiring competitors just to eliminate them, I’d build partnerships that allow different media voices to thrive. That way, it’s not just about power, but about influence with purpose.”

There was a pause.

Then Callahan nodded approvingly. “A rare perspective. Most assume money equals control, but long-term success often comes from adaptability, not domination.”

Adrian finally turned his head toward Lucia, watching her thoughtfully.

She had no idea who he really was.

And yet… she had just challenged everything his family stood for.

He wasn’t sure whether to be annoyed or intrigued.

Maybe both.

-------

The bell rang, signaling the end of class. Students packed up their belongings and began filtering out of the lecture hall, some laughing about the discussion, others pulling out their phones.

Lucia was the first to stand, slinging her bag over her shoulder. She cast a quick glance at Adrian. He was still sitting, staring blankly at the desk in front of him, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the table.

Lucia hesitated. She had noticed the tension in him during the lecture, especially when the topic turned toward Sinclair Enterprises. It was clear it wasn’t just the business strategies that made him uncomfortable—it was something deeper. Something more personal.

She walked over to him, pausing just beside his chair. “You alright?” she asked quietly.

Adrian didn’t look up at first. His gaze remained fixed on the desk, a slight frown pulling at his lips.

“You don’t have to pretend you’re okay,” Lucia continued, her voice softer than usual. “You know, it’s okay to not like everything your family does.”

Adrian’s eyes snapped up to meet hers, an unreadable expression flashing across his face before it vanished. “What do you mean by that?”

Lucia shrugged. “You can’t act like you don’t have an opinion on what we just discussed. Sinclair Enterprises—it’s a big deal. I’m guessing that whole corporate strategy thing didn’t sit well with you.”

He stood up slowly, adjusting the cap on his head as though it would shield him from her gaze. “Why would it bother me? It’s just business.”

Lucia studied him carefully. “Yeah, business. But isn’t there more to it?”

He let out a short laugh, but there was no humor in it. “I’m not sure what you’re trying to get at, but I don’t know what you think is going on in my head.”

“I don’t know,” she said with a tilt of her head. “I just… I think you should stop pretending to be someone you’re not.”

Adrian froze for a split second before shrugging. “I’m not pretending to be anything. I’m just… observing.”

“Observing what?” Lucia asked, now feeling a little frustrated herself.

He looked away, staring out the window of the lecture hall. “People like you. Normal people.”

Lucia opened her mouth, then closed it. She wasn’t sure how to respond to that. He was trying to keep things light, but there was something about his words that didn’t sit right.

Before she could say anything else, Ethan appeared at the entrance of the lecture hall, leaning casually against the doorframe with his arms crossed.

“Well, well, if it isn’t my favorite billionaire,” he said with a cheeky grin.

Adrian’s expression flickered from guarded to relaxed, the smirk returning. “Ethan. What are you doing here?”

Ethan pushed off the door and walked toward them. “Oh, just keeping tabs on you, of course.” He shot Lucia an amused look. “You know, making sure you don’t do anything too stupid.”

Lucia raised an eyebrow at Ethan. “You know, if you’re here to check on him, I think he’s doing fine. Or at least pretending to.”

Adrian chuckled, the tension easing slightly as he grabbed his bag. “No need to worry. I’ve got it all under control.”

“Right,” Ethan teased. “Because sneaking around on a college campus is totally your style.”

Lucia couldn’t help but laugh, the situation lightening for just a moment.

But as Adrian stood there, a familiar unease settled in his chest again. He glanced between Lucia and Ethan, realizing just how much of himself he had already let slip. He had been on his guard for so long that it was… strange to let down even the smallest part of that wall.

As Ethan continued to joke with Lucia, Adrian remained silent, caught in the clash of two worlds—the cold, controlling Sinclair empire and the life of a regular student.

The question that had been nagging him all day resurfaced: Why was he even here?

Lucia, noticing the change in Adrian’s demeanor, turned to face him. “You sure you’re okay?”

Adrian looked at her, and for the first time, something like vulnerability flickered in his eyes. He opened his mouth as if to respond, but then closed it again. Instead, he offered a tight smile.

“Yeah, I’m fine. Let’s get out of here.”

As the three of them walked out of the lecture hall together, the weight of his family’s expectations loomed over him, but for a brief moment, walking alongside them felt… different.

And maybe, just maybe, that was worth more than anything money could buy.