Chapter 3 The Bag On The Road

The midday sun blazed over the bustling streets of Blackstone City. Amelia's sneakers slapped the pavement as she jogged from the local bakery, clutching a brown paper bag of discounted bread. Her backpack, worn and patched, bounced lightly on her back. She was used to moving quickly - especially when hunger followed close behind.

She spotted him just before the corner - a tall, silver-haired man in a navy-blue designer suit. He looked wealthy. Untouchable. He stepped into his car, but something fell from his hand as he opened the door - a black leather briefcase.

The man didn't notice.

Amelia glanced around. No one else had seen it. Her feet moved before her thoughts caught up.

"Sir!" she shouted, picking up the bag. "You dropped this!"

The man turned, brows lifted in surprise. Their eyes met. His were steely gray and sharp - calculating. Yet in that moment, a flicker of recognition, or perhaps gratitude, crossed his face.

"Thank you," he said, accepting the briefcase. "Most people would have kept walking."

"I'm not most people," Amelia replied, her tone light but proud.

"What's your name, young lady?"

"Amelia Hart."

He nodded slowly, his eyes narrowing like he was trying to remember something. "You're not related to... never mind." He waved a hand. "Do you go to school?"

"Graduated high school. I'm... trying to get into college."

He tilted his head. "Try Blackwood University. I happen to know the admissions board."

Her heart skipped. "Wait... you're... Richard Blackwood?"

He offered a slight smile. "I reward honesty. You'll hear from us soon."

Amelia watched the luxury car pull away, unaware that she had just stepped onto a path of power, betrayal... and destiny.

The sky was still tinted gold when Amelia burst into her mother's shop, the front door creaking on its hinges as she flew inside barefoot, her sandals in one hand and her smile glowing like the afternoon sun.

"Mom! Muummy! You won't believe what just happened!" she shouted, nearly tripping over a stool in her excitement.

Her mother, Maria Hart, was in the tiny shop corner, peeling some watermelon with gloves worn on her fingers. She turned, startled, her brow furrowed.

"What is it? Why are you shouting like a little kid chased by a dog?"

But before she could finish, Amelia spun around in the middle of the shop, eyes wide and voice bursting with joy.

"I met a man, Mom! On the road near the old post office! His bag fell, and I helped him pick it up-and you won't believe it. He's Richard Blackwood! Richard Blackwood! The founder of Blackwood University!"

She clapped her hands, breathing hard.

"He was so kind. He asked me my name, what school I wanted to go to, and when I told him Blackwood, he smiled and said, 'you'll hear from us.' Mom, he said I 'll hear from them!"

But the joy in the room stopped cold.

Maria froze. The knife slipped from her fingers and clattered onto the metal tray. Her eyes, wide and dazed, locked onto Amelia like she'd just said something impossible.

"What... what did you say his name was?" she asked slowly, her voice suddenly low.

"Richard Blackwood," Amelia repeated, still smiling. "He was dressed so simple, Mom. You'd never guess he's that rich or powerful. I think he liked me. I-I think he might even want to help me."

Silence.

Amelia's smile began to fade as she saw the color drain from her mother's face. Maria backed up slowly and leaned against the wall, a hand pressed to her chest.

"Mom?" Amelia's voice softened, worried now. "Are you okay?"

Her mother turned away, wiping her hands on her apron, her eyes clouded with memories-some painful, some still raw.

"Richard Blackwood..." she whispered. "So the devil still walks with a suit and smile."

Amelia blinked, stunned.

"What do you mean?"

Maria didn't answer immediately. She walked slowly to the old plastic chair and sat, her body suddenly heavier, older.

"He was your father's best friend," she said finally, her voice trembling with the weight of old wounds. "They grew up like brothers. Shared everything. Until Richard took what didn't belong to him. Until he betrayed your father... and left him with nothing."

Amelia stood frozen, her heart thudding.

"What are you talking about, Mom? Betrayed how? Why have you never told me this?"

Her mother's lips tightened.

"Because I didn't want you to grow up with bitterness in your heart. Because I wanted you to chase your dreams without dragging the past behind you."

"But Mom-"

"Amelia," she cut in, eyes sharp now with pain and fear, "I don't want you going near that man. I don't want you depending on him or his school. He may smile like an angel, but your father died with his heart broken-and Richard Blackwood was the reason."

Amelia swallowed hard, her joy twisted into confusion.

"But Blackwood University is my dream..." she whispered.

"Dreams can be dangerous when they come from the hands of people who destroy others to build their empires." Maria 's voice cracked. "One day, you'll understand. But I pray it won't be too late."

The silence that followed was thick and aching.

Amelia looked out the window, where the sun was slowly fading. Just an hour ago, the world had felt full of possibility. Now, it felt complicated-fragile.

She turned back to her mother, who stared blankly at the floor, lost in a storm of memories.

"I don't understand, Mom," she said softly, "but I want to. I want to know everything."

Maria nodded slowly, her voice a whisper.

"Then you must be ready for the truth. Because once you hear it, Amelia... nothing will ever be the same again."