Chapter 2

"What are you talking about?!"

On the other end, my mom, Eleanor Montgomery, sounded caught between tears and laughter at the accusation.

"Alex, you're teasing me again. Besides you and your brother, where would I have any other sons in this life?"

Hearing her firm denial, my suspicion instantly melted away.

It made sense. My mom was famous throughout the city's elite circles as the epitome of a devoted wife and doting mother.

Her thirty years of unwavering devotion and tenderness toward my father, Richard Montgomery, made her "the kind of wife other high-society women were measured against."

It wasn't news when women in our circle had affairs or kept toy boys, but everyone was certain Eleanor Montgomery would never be involved in such a scandal.

"It better be that way," I said coldly, hanging up the phone. I looked up at the arrogant blonde-haired punk.

He was dressed in designer streetwear, his accessories piled on haphazardly, reeking of tacky nouveau riche.

I reined in my anger, asking calmly, "Did you just say you're a Vance family heir?"

"Oh, another one? What, did the little one call in the big one?"

He scoffed, crossing his arms. "Yeah, I'm Jaxon Hayes, the Vance family heir from Sterlingwood! What, got a problem with that?"

"Oh. I get it, you're trying to cling to our connections! Let me tell you, it's too late! Besides my family, how many other Vance families in Sterlingwood are wealthy enough to be called an elite family? You two are just unsophisticated fools!"

He finished, then turned to my brother, malice practically oozing from his tone:

"Leo Montgomery, what good is your perfect GPA? What good is all that hard work, all that preparation for a year? My mom says one word, donates one building, and all your effort is worthless crap!"

My brother lowered his head further, his knuckles white from gripping his fists so tightly.

Seeing my brother's subdued demeanor, I instantly understood.

This Jaxon Hayes had probably been bullying my brother at school for a while.

My dad always preferred to keep a low profile and wanted us to make our own way in the world.

So, my brother and I were always discreet outside, never revealing our true background.

Leo was especially introverted, pouring all his energy into his studies. I never thought this discretion would become a weakness others could easily trample on.

I gently pulled my brother behind me, my gaze returning to Jaxon Hayes's face, my voice chilling.

"To my knowledge, all the application materials for the exchange student program, including the partner university's approval, have already completed the process. Changing candidates now wouldn't be by the rules, would it?"

"Rules?" Jaxon Hayes sneered.

He triumphantly pulled a stack of documents from his bag and waved them in front of me.

"Are you talking about this? Leo Montgomery's application materials? My apologies, but I held them back. They were never submitted!"