Chapter 4
Frances woke early, bleary-eyed after a weekend spent chasing the ghost of that hacker. She'd torn through logs, traced IP addresses that led nowhere, No matter how many times she got close, he always found a way to slip through her fingers.
Now, with no answers and no time left, she had to push it aside. It was her first day at University.
She was headed to MOONSU—Moon State University. A international institution that had a reputation both impressive and notorious. Presidents, business moguls, and tech pioneers had walked its halls.
But the university is also synonymous in producing infamous hackers that made devastating impact around the world. Because of controversies the school was also labeled as the "Hackers university".
As she went down from her room her father sat at the long end of the table, posture straight, sleeves crisply folded, a black tie loose around his neck. Despite the early hour, two phones sat in front of him, one already buzzing.
Miss Jing—his ever-present shadow—placed a steaming cup of dark coffee by his hand without a word.
"Aren't you early, Frances?" Chairman Song looked up. his voice even and firm. "Sit. Eat with us."
"Yes, you should eat first, Frances," Miss Jing added with a slight smile. "It's your first day of college—you'll need the energy."
Seeing her father eating together with another woman disgust her.
I'm not really hungry and I don't want to be late in my first class.
"Should we drop you to your school?" Chairman. Song offered.
That's non-sense I can take of my self, Frances left without any hesitation.
After a while Frances arrive at the university, she immediately got off the car. And saw the mesmerizing architecture of moon university.
The moment she stepped into the room, all eyes were on her.
It was clear—everyone knew who she was. known for her beauty and intelligence, she had already earned the admiration of many-but it was her background as the heir of Songint that set her apart.
With all that combined, a massive following online was all ready backing-up her name.
As the school bell ranged classes already begun.
A teacher walked into the room and faced the class.
"Good day, everyone. I'm Mr. Han, and I'll be handling your major subject lectures for this class. But before we start with the lesson, let's have a quick round of introductions.
Students now introduced their selves one after another.
Everyone was thrilled when it was Frances turn. They anticipated to hear her voice.
Frances stood with effortless poise and walked to the front with quiet confidence.
"My name is Frances Song I'm nineteen years old, I don't really like to waste time, I will just going to say this, please don't socialized with me and mind your own business."
She said maintaining a cold gaze.
Everyone was speechless as to what Frances said, as she went back to her sit, a hush fell over the room following Frances remark.
But their attention suddenly drifts, as a man suddenly entered the room. A tall figure stepped in, soaked in indifference.
Frances turned toward the sound - and suddenly, her heart skipped. That same strange feeling washed over her, just like the one from the other day.
"Are you part of this class, young man?" Mr. Han asked.
Yes, he answered. "My name is Achylys Azazel."
Gasps rippled through the room again - this time from the girls, drawn in by his looks and enigmatic aura.
"Go on, Achylys, introduce yourself," Mr. Han encouraged.
I'm 21 years old. That's all…
A girl, trying to break the tension, raised her hand. "Wait… You're 21 and still in first year? Did you failed twice?"
Achylys looked straight at her and replied calmly, "No. I went to jail for two years."
The room froze. Every face stiffened in disbelief. But before whispers could escalate, Mr. Han cut in firmly:
"Everyone has their own stories to tell."
He then gestured towards the empty seat beside Miss Song, inviting Achylys to sit there.
Achylys took the seat. An awkward silence settled between them.
Frances tried to focus on the book in front of her - but she kept stealing glances. Achylys didn't seem to notice… or so she thought.
Without even turning to her, he said, "Can I help you?"
Frances immediately repudiated and said "No", You must be mistaken, I'm just reading a book." "I'm not looking at you."
"I didn't said anything about you staring at me." Achylys replied as he turns away.
" No I'm saying, because I feel you have been mistaken"
While his facing away. Head down on the desk. He whispered:
"You must be really talented at reading upside-down."
Frances glanced down. Her book was, in fact, upside-down.
She quickly flipped it and stared at her desk, too humiliated to even lift her head.
As time ticked away, the class came to an end. Whispers and gossips about Achylys being an ex-convict filled the air, but Achylys remained unaffected by the chatter. With precision, he neatly gathered his belongings and departed the room.
Frances stood to leave as well - only to be blocked by someone at the door.
"Frances!" A loud voice called. "There you are."
The students turned.
Jude Fang had arrived! Dressed in designer brands and carrying himself like a celebrity, he was one of the most well-known students on campus.
"I've been hoping to meet you," he said with a confident smile. "Would you like to grab coffee after class?"
Whispers flared up again. Jude Fang - heir of Ozi Enterprise - was actually asking Frances out.
"You see, individuals like us should stick together. What are your thoughts, Frances?"
He smirked as he spoke, confident that his name alone would do the work.
Frances didn't stop walking. She simply tilted her head slightly, her gaze cold and unreadable.
"No."
Jude blinked, caught off guard. "Excuse me?"
She paused just long enough to let her words settle like frost.
"If you want to waste your time, do it with someone else."
Still, Jude didn't move. "Come on, don't be like that. I'm Jude Fang. My family owns-"
Frances turned her head slowly, her eyes sharp enough to cut.
"I know who you are."
He smiled again, trying to recover. "Then you should know what I can offer-"
She cut him off, her voice low and precise.
"That's exactly why I'm not interested."
And with that, she walked past him.
In his mind, Jude consumed with furry, bellowed after her, with his voice booming, "mark my word, Frances! I will ensure that your existence in this university becomes an unending nightmare!"
And as Frances disappeared down the hallway, Jude noticed the silent stares from the nearby students.
He straightened his collar, then muttered:
"What are you all looking at?" he snapped, eyes sharp with irritation as he walks away.