Dressed in an impeccable black suit, his silver-gray eyes were sharp as a blade, slicing through the room’s atmosphere with sheer authority. North Crescent Academy’s most powerful benefactor had arrived.
Vivian stiffened, her fingers gripping the armrest. “What—”
Xander walked toward the stage, each step deliberate, controlled. He turned to the panel of judges, his expression unreadable. Then, he handed them a single document.
“I suggest you review the integrity of this competition,” he said smoothly, but there was an unmistakable warning beneath his words. “Before you make a decision you’ll regret.”
The head judge paled as he read the contents. The document contained evidence of bribery, digital tampering, and collusion.
Sera folded her arms, her lips curving into a slow smirk. Checkmate.
Across from her, Vivian Montenegro wore a serene mask of victory, her perfectly curled platinum hair cascading over her designer blouse. Her icy green eyes held a smug glint as she delicately smoothed the hem of her skirt, feigning innocence.
The debate scores had been rigged.
Whispers spread through the audience as the realization dawned on them. Elise Cruz, standing at the sidelines, clenched her fists.
"This is so unfair," Elise hissed. "Sera should have won this round."
Damian Castillo leaned against the railing, arms crossed, his sharp blue eyes watching the scene with growing amusement. "It’s amusing how predictable these things are. But I doubt Sera will let this slide."
“Interesting,” Alexander drawled, adjusting his cufflinks with precision. “I was under the impression that North Crescent Academy upheld fairness in its competitions. Have the standards changed?”
The judges shifted uncomfortably in their seats.
The head judge, a man in his fifties, cleared his throat. "Mr. Lorenzo, this is a school matter—"
"Exactly," Alexander interrupted, his voice smooth but carrying an undercurrent of steel. "A school that prides itself on integrity, yet allows bribery to determine its champions. Is this what you want North Crescent Academy to be known for?"
Gasps rippled through the crowd. Vivian’s composure cracked, a flicker of unease crossing her face.
“You—” she started, but Alexander barely spared her a glance.
“I see no reason for further delay,” Alexander continued, his tone absolute. “Re-evaluate the scores. Publicly. Or I’ll ensure that this scandal reaches the academy’s board of directors, along with the sponsors who generously fund your programs.”
Silence fell over the hall. The head judge swallowed hard, realizing the weight of Alexander’s words. He turned to the panel. "We will conduct an immediate review."
Relief flickered in Sera’s eyes, but she remained silent, watching the scene unfold with analytical precision.
Alexander had turned the tide in a matter of seconds.
As the judges hastily revisited the scores, Vivian shot up from her seat, her usual grace faltering. “You have no right to interfere! This is—”
“I have every right,” Alexander cut in smoothly, finally directing his gaze at her. “I invest in this academy. That means I have a vested interest in ensuring its reputation remains untarnished. Do you have an issue with that, Miss Montenegro?”
Vivian clenched her jaw, her hands trembling as she realized the precarious position she was in. Her father’s political standing wouldn’t be enough to overturn Alexander’s influence.
The head judge cleared his throat. “Upon re-evaluation… the correct winner of this round is Seraphina Villanueva.”
Applause erupted through the hall, but Sera remained composed. She turned to Alexander, her voice steady. “You didn’t have to step in.”
Alexander smirked, lowering his voice so only she could hear. “You already won. I simply ensured no one could steal it from you.”
Vivian, however, wasn’t done. Fury burned behind her composed facade as she stormed toward the exit. But before she could leave, her heel caught on the polished floor. She stumbled, barely catching herself before she could fall.
A few gasps and chuckles followed, but it was the sharp snapping sound that silenced the hall.
A steel beam supporting the stage decorations trembled. A loose cable dangled dangerously from above, right above Vivian.
Sera’s eyes widened. "Vivian, move!"
But it was Alexander who reacted first.
Without hesitation, he strode forward, grasping Vivian’s arm and pulling her back just as the steel beam crashed onto the spot she had been standing in. Dust and debris filled the air as screams erupted.
Vivian gasped, eyes wide in shock as she stared at the wreckage. “I… I could have…”
“You’re reckless,” Alexander said flatly, releasing his grip on her. “Watch where you step.”
For the first time, Vivian looked genuinely shaken.
Sera exhaled, tension leaving her shoulders. She hadn’t expected Alexander to move so quickly. He was more than just influential—he was decisive, commanding, and utterly impossible to ignore.
Elise rushed to Sera’s side, grabbing her arm. “Are you okay? That was insane!”
Damian shook his head, his smirk returning. “And people say Lorenzo only cares about business. That was quite the performance.”
Alexander turned back to Sera, his silver eyes locking onto hers. “Now that this farce is over, I expect you to win the finals.”
Sera tilted her head, smirking. “I was going to, with or without your interference.”
Alexander chuckled. “I’d expect nothing less.”
As the chaos settled, one thing became clear—North Crescent Academy had just witnessed the true power of Alexander Lorenzo.