With so many students helping, the setup moved along at an incredible pace. Finally, as the evening settled in, the last preparations were complete. One by one, elegant lights flickered on, casting a warm glow over the venue and instantly amplifying the celebratory atmosphere. Everything was in place—lavish decorations, beautifully arranged platters of desserts and fresh fruit, all meticulously prepared. Even though the celebration was held at school, the setup and lighting were nothing short of spectacular—it could easily rival a luxury hotel ballroom. Jacob had even gone as far as hiring a team of professional pastry chefs specifically for the occasion, ensuring that everything was top-tier. As night fell, nearly all of South High’s students had arrived, dressed in elegant formal attire, transforming the school field into the setting for an unprecedented, grand celebration. Though many of them had just attended the recent graduation ceremony, that event had been limited to only the graduating class. The underclassmen hadn’t been invited. Now, with students from every grade gathered together, the excitement was even greater. For the seniors, this was more than just a celebration—it was one of the last moments they’d spend together before heading off to different universities across the country. Students clustered in groups, chatting excitedly about their futures, while the air buzzed with laughter and lively conversations. Graduating students mingled with younger classmates and teachers, exchanging farewells. Though there was a bittersweet edge to it all, the overwhelming feeling was one of anticipation—their real journey was just beginning. These students were in the prime of their youth, standing at the very beginning of their journeys. Their futures were bright, and their possibilities—endless. The atmosphere carried a hint of nostalgia, but even more so, it radiated the energy and enthusiasm of youth! Jacob, always known for his warm and humorous personality, found himself surrounded by students. There was a deep sense of reluctance in his eyes, but his words were filled only with encouragement and high hopes for their futures.Then, in the middle of the lively celebration, a sudden shift in the air occurred. An unwelcome presence had arrived. Just as Arthur and Ashley had predicted, Zac had come. His arms and legs were still in casts, and he sat in a wheelchair, pushed forward by the Gray family’s butler, as they entered the school grounds and rolled onto the field. The moment Zac appeared, the entire venue fell silent. The laughter, the chatter, the music—all of it came to an abrupt halt. Every student who had been joking around or engaged in conversation froze, their expressions stiffening. Zac. At South High, he was just as well-known as Arthur. But while Arthur was admired and respected, Zac was utterly despised. He was nothing short of a disgrace. Calling Zac a disgraced outcast wasn’t an exaggeration. After Arthur’s true identity was revealed, the internet erupted with exposés on the Gray family’s scandals and Zac’s countless misdeeds. Every disgraceful act he had committed, every dirty scheme, every ruthless betrayal—all of it had been dragged into the spotlight. Even if people outside the city weren’t aware of the full extent of the situation, in South City, everyone knew. Everyone standing in that field understood exactly who Zac was now—a liar, a manipulator, a shameless fraud. No word was too harsh to describe Zac—he deserved every single one of them! And it wasn’t just him. The entire Gray family had fallen from grace. Especially John. A father like that? Unbelievable. It was almost impossible to believe that a father like John truly existed. No matter how many justifications he had, the truth was undeniable—Arthur was his own son. No father should ever treat their child with such cruelty. Yet, instead of protecting him, John had tormented him at every turn.Had this kind of mistreatment occurred in a struggling, uneducated household, perhaps it could be brushed off as ignorance. But the Grays were a family of wealth and power. Their cruelty was inexcusable. Now, Zac was treated like someone to be avoided at all costs. At the hospital, the nurses avoided him, barely acknowledging his existence. But here at school, it was even worse—people outright recoiled at the sight of him. As he took in the cold stares around him, a deep, suffocating sense of humiliation washed over him. So many people. And every single one of them was looking at him with disgust. Since the night of the banquet, he had been confined to the hospital. The indifference from the nurses—he had chalked it up to their lack of professionalism. But now? This was different. Jacob, the teachers, and the students—from the graduating seniors down to the youngest underclassmen—every single one of them stared at him with the same expression. Disgust. Contempt. Anger. Even amusement. Their eyes weren’t just cold. They were hostile. A shiver ran down Zac’s spine. During his hospital stay, with both arms and legs broken, there was little he could do. Aside from making a desperate phone call to Renee and checking his SAT scores, he hadn’t touched his phone at all. John had even forbidden him from watching television. John had been aggressive toward the doctors and nurses, and in return, they kept their distance. The doctors and nurses avoided unnecessary conversation. Even when Zac tried to ask for information, no one would tell him anything. He was completely cut off from the outside world. Until today. While John was taken for a medical examination, Zac overheard a nurse mentioning a grand celebration at South High. The moment he caught wind of it, an idea took root. He saw an opening—an opportunity—and wasted no time persuading someone to help him escape. Strangely, the same nurses who had always kept their conversations hushed around him suddenly began discussing the event right in his room. It almost felt deliberate, as if they wanted him to hear it.