Chapter 202: Breaking A Relationship
When Max walked back into the classroom, it was as if the entire room had frozen in place.
Every student turned toward him, their eyes wide with curiosity, confusion, and awe. No one said anything, not even Max. He strolled back to his seat like it was just another school day, like nothing out of the ordinary had just happened.
Except... there was one thing different.
He was smiling. Not his usual half-smirk or confident grin, but a full, wide, satisfied smile that stretched across his face. The kind of smile that made people wonder just what he knew that they didn’t.
Even the teacher paused, glancing at Max as if he wanted to ask what had just taken place outside. But after a few seconds of internal debate, he simply chose to let it go and instead cleared his throat to make an announcement.
"Due to the incident that just occurred," the teacher said, "the next lesson is canceled. Lunch break will be extended."
The classroom instantly lit up.
"Oh, sweet!" several students cheered, slapping high fives and whooping with excitement. It wasn’t the first time something unusual had happened since Max had transferred into their school, and they were starting to think that maybe, just maybe, Max’s presence was the best thing that had ever happened to them.
As the students began rearranging their desks and enjoying the extended break, it didn’t take long for Jay and Joe to make their way over to Max. Without even asking, they pulled their chairs and desks close, forming a loose circle around him.
"I still can’t believe what just happened," Joe said, shaking his head. "Like, seriously, I had to pinch myself to make sure I wasn’t dreaming."
"We just absorbed the entire Clapton alliance. And West Brinhurst," he continued, wide-eyed. "The Bloodline group now controls all of Brinhurst. All of it! I don’t think anyone’s ever done that before. Not in the history of Brinhurst... not even in all of Notting Hill City. Max, you’re going to become a legend. A local legend!"