Chapter 2 Encounter with Future Tycoon

And so, under the watchful eyes of countless envious and jealous girls, Sunny got on the back seat of Lucas's motorcycle.

It was the ultra-cool Hamlet motorcycle, a flashy French fashion brand.

In the whole school, only the rich second-gen Lucas owned such an expensive motorcycle-countless girls dreamed of riding it and taking a spin around campus.

Even Lucas's girlfriend Amelia had never ridden it-not for any particular reason, but because she was proud and aloof, unwilling to be gossiped about as someone clinging to a rich boyfriend.

So by pure coincidence, Sunny became the first lucky girl to sit on the back of Lucas's bike.

The girls watching were so jealous, their lips were almost bleeding from being bitten.

Lucas taking her away was purely because she resembled his long-lost little sister. He planned to finish his business and then take her home to see if his father could recognize her.

Facing the setting sun and the breeze, Sunny's mood lightened. She admired the street scenery along the way.

Scenes she had only seen in period dramas were now appearing vividly before her eyes. The feeling was surreal.

Naturally, Sunny hugged Lucas's lean waist and rested her cheek against his back.

Growing up, her dad had never once given her a ride on a motorcycle-her family always had cars, and she was usually chauffeured in luxury vehicles.

And her dad was always busy with work, rarely spending time with her. He only rushed to school when she got into trouble, scolding her fiercely, sometimes even hitting her.

Her mother had passed away in an accident when she was very young. It was Lucas, this grumpy dad, who raised her with hardship and discipline. She had taken many beatings when she was little.

But as Lucas reached middle age, his temper finally mellowed. He started showing some fatherly qualities.

Sadly, just as he was learning how to be a father, his daughter had already grown up.

Being able to see her father in his youth actually made Sunny quite happy.

"Lucas, what's your girlfriend like?"

"Why are you asking that?"

"No reason, I just want to know what my mom was like. After all, she died before I was even born."

Beside them, Leo couldn't help but burst out laughing. "Hahaha, your mom died before you were even born! Hahahaha!"

Lucas didn't laugh. His expression grew more complex.

The little sister who went missing from his family back then was mentally disabled.

Maybe this girl was really his kidnapped, intellectually disabled little sister.

He answered nonchalantly, "My girlfriend is the purest woman in the world."

"Wow."

Mom was always a painful subject for Dad. After she died, he was depressed for years. He never spoke about her-not a word. She was his most treasured memory.

Sunny had always been so curious about what her mother was like. A woman who could leave such a deep mark on Lucas for so many years.

Wait a second... Something didn't add up. Her mother's name wasn't Amelia. That "world's purest" girlfriend Amelia-wasn't her mom!

Lucas glanced at his watch and sped up, racing toward the pool hall.

Twenty minutes later, a group of rough-looking teens showed up at the entertainment street's pool hall.

This entertainment street had a retro vibe. In Sunny's time, places like dance halls and pool halls had long disappeared, replaced by trendy bars. Sunny often partied there with her wild friends.

She never expected that her young dad used to be a big shot on this street.

Different times, but the same fiery youth.

Back then, the pool halls weren't as regulated. The air inside was smoky, with people arguing, smoking, flirting-you name it. Mostly rowdy young people or rebellious students who came after school to hang out and act tough.

Lucas led Sunny through a narrow underground passage. The small-time gangsters around couldn't take their eyes off her, their gazes swirling.

She looked so delicate and pretty. In an era when most girls didn't even know how to care for their skin, she stood out like a swan-her fair, soft skin practically glowing. It was hard not to be noticed.

Sunny clung to Lucas's jacket, scared.

Lucas didn't want to lose this girl who might be his missing sister, so he put an arm around her thin shoulders and guided her through the chaotic crowd to the pool hall.

Inside, a dozen pool tables were lined up. It was crowded. Bright overhead lights shone directly onto the tables, while the surrounding area was dim.

A teenager named Alexander, wearing a cardigan and shirt, stood at the table, calmly arranging the balls in a triangle.

His fingers were long and slender, the backs of his hands fair with faint blue veins running up his forearms.

Alexander kept his head down as he worked, unaware that the room had suddenly gone quiet.

A few strands of hair fell over his forehead, and his dark brown eyes were half-shadowed under his brows, making them look even deeper.

Under the stark white light, his handsome features were sharply defined.

Even as a teen, Alexander had an overwhelming presence just standing there, let alone years later, when he would command the kind of invisible but undeniable aura that comes with maturity.

He was a legend in the Chicago business world. From nothing to vast wealth-it took him only ten years.

...

Lucas saw Alexander and was immediately enraged. He grabbed a stool and stormed toward him, ready to swing.

Alexander caught the stool with one hand. Lucas tugged a few times but couldn't get it back.

Alexander had built real strength from years of labor. Lucas, a spoiled rich kid, couldn't compare.

"Alexander, let go, you bastard!"

Alexander looked up at him with a cold gaze. "If you break the chair, you'll have to pay for it."

His voice was low and smooth, calm and unfazed.

Lucas pulled out his wallet, flung a few bills on the table, and said arrogantly, "Today I'm here to settle things with you. Anything that gets broken, I'll pay for it!"

Alexander glanced at the cash, his eyes turning cold.

The world was so unfair-some starved, while others squandered...

He clenched his fists, knuckles turning white.

Just then, a delicate white hand darted out and snatched the bills off the table.

Both Lucas and Alexander turned to see Sunny carefully folding the money and tucking it into her pocket.

When everyone stared at her, she blinked her long lashes and awkwardly put the money back.

"Leo, get this girl out of here," Lucas shouted.

Leo came over to pull Sunny aside. "Stand back, don't get hurt."

Sunny tugged at Lucas's jacket. "Dad, don't fight-you can't beat him."

Lucas, ...

Sunny knew well her dad wasn't Alexander's match-not in business, not in schemes, not even in a physical fight.

Her dad's life had basically been a long story of being crushed by Alexander.

Lucas glared at him. "Alexander, let's forget the past. But are you even a man, seducing my girlfriend like that?"

"I don't know who your girlfriend is."

"Amelia!"

Alexander said flatly, "Don't know her."

"Everyone's saying it-you still won't admit it?"

"You done?" Alexander's eyes remained calm. "I have to work."

Lucas's face twitched in anger, his fists clenched.

"Work? Think I'm joking around?" Lucas grabbed the triangle rack from him and threw it aside.

Alexander's face darkened. Veins popped on his forehead, but he said nothing, just stared at Lucas. "Pick it up."

"I won't."

Lucas walked over and patted Alexander's cheek. "Don't get cocky. You're still ten years too early to compete with me."

That line-ten years too early-turned out to be prophetic.

It took Alexander ten years to catch up, and ten more to crush Lucas beneath his feet.

Maybe... Alexander's ruthless revenge against the Wilson Group all began because of this young humiliation?

Though Sunny knew she should be on her dad's side, she couldn't stand seeing him bully people like this. She broke free from Leo, just as someone yelled,

"Cops!"

"Run!"

The whole pool hall erupted in chaos. Voices shouted from outside,

"Stop right there!"

"Don't run!"

"Lucas, you brat-it's you again!"

...

Sunny got separated from Lucas, swept up in the crowd. She stumbled toward the exit.

She didn't want to be caught-those boys might get off with one night in detention, but she had no ID. Who knew where they'd send her?

The stench of sweat and body odor around her made her dizzy. She tripped and fell to the ground.

Someone stepped on her left hand. She screamed, "Ah! Don't step on me!"

No one heard her. Just as more people surged toward her, a tall figure blocked her view and shielded her.

Sunny looked up and saw Alexander's neck, veins showing clearly.

From below, his sharp features looked even more sculpted. Faint stubble lined his jaw.

Alexander braced his hands beside her, his shirt sleeves brushing her arms. She clutched at his shirt.

Pressed against his chest, she could hear his steady heartbeat and smell his faint scent-smoke and a trace of bitter herbs.

When the rush passed, Alexander stood, grabbed her wrist, and pulled her toward the back door.

His strong hand held her delicate wrist tightly, and she followed him like a puppet, forgetting about her dad entirely.

He unlocked a gate and led her into a damp alleyway.

They twisted and turned through backstreets for ten minutes until the noise faded.

Night fell.

Alexander stopped and let go of her.

She had slender wrists and a thin frame. Her black hair brushed her pretty collarbones.

When she looked at him, there was fear in her eyes.

Alexander, ever perceptive, noticed her defensiveness.

Girls were always afraid of him.

He wasn't the kind of man people liked.

Sunny had reason to fear him-he'd once nearly destroyed her father's company with cold efficiency.

He flicked a lighter, lit a cigarette, and took a drag. The way he moved was bold and cocky.

Without looking at her, he asked, "Lucas's girlfriend?"

"N-no. I'm his... sister."

"Sister?" Alexander echoed casually, then turned to leave.

"Uncle Alexander-no, Alexander, wait!" Sunny caught up, pulling out the cash Lucas had given her.

She gave him three bills, hesitated, then gave the last two as well-including the rare red one.

"My brother wrecked your place. This is compensation. He really shouldn't have done that. I apologize on his behalf."

Alexander was surprised. Lucas had such a reasonable sister?

Her eyes were clear, brows upright-she looked like a genuinely honest girl.

And Alexander had long lost the ability to be genuine. He said what people wanted to hear.

Not everyone has the luxury of living truthfully.

At least, not him.

But he felt oddly comfortable around her.

"I used to not understand why you hated him so much," she said. "Now I get it. He went too far. Please, don't hold a grudge."

She shoved the money into his pocket.

Alexander looked at the bills, a flash of irony in his eyes.

Thanks to Lucas, he'd probably lose his job.

Sunny knew that Alexander was prideful, ruthless, and vengeful-this bit of money probably couldn't buy his forgiveness.

She even braced herself for him to throw the money in her face.

But instead-

Alexander gave a cold laugh, carefully folded the bills, and tucked them into his shirt pocket.

The world was cruel. After years of hardship, who could afford to turn down money?

As his tall figure disappeared into the dark alley, Sunny waved goodbye.

But he didn't look back.