Here is a refined and emotionally sharper version of your draft for Chapter 15, Part 3, preserving the dark tone while improving flow, clarity, and pacing:
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Chapter 15, Part 3 — The Night They Sold Me
Maria slid into the back seat of the family car, shutting the door with a soft thud that somehow felt louder than all the screaming she'd left behind.
She leaned back against the cold leather, eyes closed, breathing deeply—as if it could drain the ache out of her chest. The driver said nothing. Smart man. He knew better.
Why does it feel like it's all happening again?
The shadows of her past life crept in like a slow, choking fog.
She had sat in this very seat before—after another morning of chaos and fists. Her father's company had been crumbling then too. But they never asked for her thoughts. Only her silence. Her obedience.
She remembered how her mother's voice softened that day. How she came to her room with a warm smile, like she used to when Maria was a child. That morning, her mother made her favorite breakfast. Invited her out to shop. Even helped pick out a dress.
Maria had been wary, confused by the sudden affection—but she wanted it. Needed it. And slowly, she let herself believe. She smiled. She laughed. She let her guard down.
And then, during dinner, it changed.
Her grandmother and mother had sat across from her, voices sweet as syrup and words dipped in venom.
> "Your father's company is in serious trouble."
"There's only one way left to help…"
"There's a business partner. A good friend. He wants to meet you. Just a drink. Just talk. One night."
They smiled as they said it. Smiled as they pushed her, so gently, toward the fire.
> "We'll be so proud of you."
"Do this for the family."
"You always seemed ungrateful. But now, you can finally prove you belong."
She was sixteen.
Stupid.
Naive.
Desperate for love that was never real.
And she went.
She painted on a smile, wore a borrowed dress and heels too tight, and walked into a club she had no business being in. For her father. For the family. For people who only loved her when she bled.
Her nails dug into the seat as the memory came crashing back—no longer fog, but a storm.
She remembered the thick air of cigars, laughter laced with malice, wine glasses clinking, and eyes that undressed her with a glance.
One of them smiled too wide. Grabbed her hand. Didn't let go.
> "You're a pretty little thing," he said. "If you drink well tonight, maybe I'll help your father."
"Drink up, sweetie. We're very generous when we're happy."
And she drank. Because they told her to. Because they promised to save her family. Because she wanted to believe.
But the night didn't end. It blurred—glass after glass, dizzy laughter, slurred compliments that made her stomach churn.
Then—
Darkness.
She woke on silk sheets. Naked. The air thick with cologne, alcohol, and something else—something vile. Her body ached. Her mouth was dry. Her voice wouldn't come.
And then—
The door slammed open.
Mike.
Eyes wide. Face pale. Fury radiating off him.
He saw the room. Her. The bed. The bruises. The truth.
He didn't ask questions. Didn't wait. He wrapped her in a blanket, lifted her from the bed, and carried her out like she was something fragile. Like she might break again.
She never saw the old man again. Never asked.
They locked her in the Mike mansion for a week. And Mike? Mike never left her side. But it wasn't kindness.
He touched her again and again. Possessive. Violent. Like he was claiming what was broken.
And that's when she remembered Ivy.
She had told Ivy everything. Just in case.
But Ivy didn't help.
Ivy told Mike she had gone willingly. That Maria was selling herself. That she wanted to seduce old men for money.
A lie.
A plan to make Mike hate her.
But it didn't make him turn away.
It made him obsessed.
---
The car stopped in front of the school gates.
Maria stepped out slowly, adjusting her bag as she entered the class was quite for her as ivy was not in school
Then she heard the news—Kira wasn't in school.
Apparently, the school bully and his lapdogs had turned on her. Beat her. Drenched her in toilet water. Stripped her to her bra and skirt. Took pictures. Posted them as she dared push ivy down the staircase.
A scholarship student like Kira had no room to fight back.
Her family quietly pulled her out.
Maria didn't flinch. She didn't pity Kira. Just listened, her expression as calm as if someone had announced rain in the forecast.
During P.E., the teacher took them to the track field beside the basketball court. After a few laps, Maria peeled off from the crowd and walked to the side, settling under the shade near the benches. She unscrewed her bottle, took a long sip of water, and leaned back.
Her eyes naturally drifted to the basketball court.
Neo.
He was playing like the court belonged to him, all easy power and lazy grace. Girls were already losing their minds, their squeals echoing across the field as if each basket he made scored points in their hearts.
Maria watched in silence, one brow slightly raised. She hadn't realized she'd gone still until—
"He's good, right?"
The voice came from right beside her.
She turned, too fast, nearly slipping on the gravel, but a hand caught her wrist. Firm. Familiar.
Jake.
"Wow. Am I that hot that you're jumping into my arms already?" he said, grinning like a devil with a halo. He winked.
Maria didn't even bother replying. She smacked the side of his head lightly and took a step back, eyes narrowing.
Jake, naturally unbothered, posed like he was on the front cover of a fashion magazine.
He wore black trousers, a crisp white button-down, loosely tucked, with a black tie hanging carelessly around his neck like he couldn't decide whether to care or rebel. A headset hung around his neck, bouncing slightly as he moved.
He drew attention like a flame drew moths. Girls nearby started whispering—Who is that? Is he new?
He was tall and slender, but you could tell there was strength under the lazy posture. His skin had the kind of pale tone that made people think he needed saving. Soft pink lips set in a permanent pout. Curly black hair that looked like he forgot to brush it—or maybe he had, and chaos was just his aesthetic.
His phoenix eyes were slightly narrowed, as if the world never quite entertained him enough.
Handsome? Sure. In the way a cat with rabies might still look adorable from a distance.
To others, he was all "mischievous little brother next door" mixed with "gloomy anime lead."
To Maria?
He looked like a lunatic.
A bored, well-dressed lunatic with too much free time and too much charm.
Jake covered his chest dramatically like a bullied bride. "Don't look at me like that. I'm delicate," he sniffed.
Maria stared at him for a beat, then sighed. "Did you escape from a drama set or a mental hospital?"
Jake grinned wider. "Whichever one lets me see you sooner."
She rolled her eyes and turned her face, but a small smirk flickered at the corner of her lips.
He was still annoying.
"You've started to appreciate my presence—wow, I'm touched," Jake said, placing a hand dramatically over his heart. "Should I cry here or wait until we're under a sunset?"
Maria tilted her head slightly, her expression flat. "I'm not happy to see you. I'm happy because it means you finally brought the gun." Her voice was dry.
Jake blinked. "Gun?"
"Yeah, to shoot yourself. Didn't you say you were busy? And if I recall, you don't even go to this school. So what exactly are you doing here, trespassing and collecting attention like a celebrity with amnesia?"
He rolled his eyes and muttered under his breath, "You should be a cop with that interrogation tone."
Then he lifted a hand and casually waved at Neo, who was still on the basketball court and now staring daggers at him.
Jake let out a sigh and said loudly enough for anyone nearby to hear, "Your boyfriend's friend is such a creep. Honestly. All that face, wasted on someone who's one Google search away from a restraining order. What a tragic misuse of genetics."
Maria glanced at Jake up and down, wondering if he'd forgotten he was the one who originally hunted down her contact info like a jobless spy. If anyone deserved the word "creep," it was him.
Her lips pressed into a thin line as she stared.
Jake blinked. "Don't look at me like that. It's normal. They say to know your friends, you have to investigate them. Deeply. Personally. Emotionally."
"And financially?" Maria added dryly.
Jake smirked, "If you want my information, just ask. I'm an open book. Well, maybe a spicy one. Limited edition. Premium quality. In need of a sugar mommy."
Maria rolled her eyes hard enough to strain a nerve and turned to walk away. She had no interest in encouraging his delusions, even if they came dressed in black trousers and sarcasm.
Jake whistled cheerfully and followed her with both hands in his pockets, attracting more stares as students began whispering and pointing at the mysterious guy walking behind the Ice Queen like a lost dog in designer shoes.
Maria didn't turn back. Let them talk.
Let them all talk.
It was better than silence.
Maria picked up the gun again, letting the light catch on the gold and red details. A faint smile curved on her lips.
"Well, I'll admit it fits my personality. Flashy, dangerous, and impossible to ignore," she said, setting it down again. "And honestly, being your friend might not be so bad… if you keep spending money like this on me."
Jake chuckled, flicking imaginary dust off his sleeve.
"I knew it. A girl after my own heart," he said. Then his eyes narrowed, playfully. "You're not going to tell me the real reason you knew about the stock, are you?"
Maria tilted her head, expression unreadable.
Jake leaned closer, voice low and mischievous. "That's fine. I don't need the truth. I'll just take revenge my way—by annoying everyone in your life. I'm very good at it."
He grinned, just as the classroom door creaked open. Neo stepped in.
"Maria," he said softly, gaze shifting to Jake, then back to her. "And who is this friend of yours? I didn't catch his name last time. Think I can get it now?"
Maria gave Neo a look so dry it could burn.
"Are you scared to ask him yourself? He's not a god, is he?"
Jake let out a slow exhale, pulling out his vape and lazily taking a drag as he studied Neo. The room suddenly felt heavier.
Neo walked forward, extending a hand. "I'm Neo."
Jake stood, shook it firmly. "Jake."
Neo's eyes drifted to the desk—specifically, to the gun resting there. He looked back at Maria, and a cold chuckle escaped him.
"Well, it seems you two are having fun. I won't bother you."
And just like that, he turned and walked out.
Jake watched him go, one eyebrow raised. "Do you want to start the training now, or are we going to keep collecting admirers?"
---
Neo entered the private student lounge—his and Jay's space—without a word. He slumped into the chair, pulled out his laptop, and started typing, fingers sharp and precise.
Jay glanced up from the couch, one hand idly petting his pure-white cat. He watched Neo with calm eyes, but said nothing. For now.
"I saw that guy," Neo said without looking up, fingers flying across the keyboard. "The one I mentioned. He has a hand in the X-Knight Organization."
Jay's hand froze mid-stroke on his cat, then resumed petting slowly, almost thoughtfully.
"Oh?" he murmured. "The one even the almighty Neo couldn't find?"
Neo smirked. "You think I don't know Mike already started digging around? He gave you some of the clues, didn't he?"
Jay said nothing, but his raised brow was answer enough.
Neo leaned back with a lazy grin. "Connected the dots. You should know by now—I always do."
He pushed the laptop toward Jay. On the screen, a live feed showed Maria and Jake in the classroom. The angle was low, slightly tilted, as if from a sleeve.
"I slipped a micro camera on Jake," Neo said coolly. "Barely noticeable. Shows what he sees—and what's behind him."
Jay studied the footage, then looked at Neo with something like respect—or maybe unease.
"You're getting bold."
Neo just chuckled, folding his arms behind his head.
"No. I'm getting started."
"It seems you've developed a new toy," Jay said softly, eyes still on the screen.
Neo only smiled, slow and satisfied.
—
Meanwhile...
"Why are you smiling like that?" Maria asked, her voice dry as Jake casually whistled beside her.
"I'm happy," Jake replied cheerfully. "I'm about to take you to my chambers."
Maria gave him a flat look. "Are you stupid?"
He only laughed and opened the car door for her. Moments later, the two were driving down a winding path, eventually arriving at an unmarked entrance. Jake led her into an underground chamber.
Inside, a group of rough-looking men were deep in conversation, discussing drugs, routes, and plans to hijack shipments from the Raven family.
The name hit like a spark.
Neo, still watching remotely, straightened. His eyes went cold.
Maria's eyes narrowed. The Raven Empire... She knew the name too well. It was Neo's family—powerful, dangerous, wealthy. They ruled the underground world while controlling the top media and legal empires. And Neo himself? A tech genius with his own empire. She only knew all this because of Mike—her ally, and once her enemy, in her past life.
More names were dropped. Suddenly, someone mentioned the M Corporation.
Jake shouted out loud, "And we're taking all their deals!"
The men howled with approval.
Maria stiffened as Jake grabbed her hand and dragged her forward. A large screen flickered to life, showing actors screaming and fighting in a dramatic battle. It looked like chaos, like a war movie.
She turned to Jake, confusion and suspicion churning inside her.
He chuckled and lean closer to her and wrap his hand on her shoulder and bring his mouth to his sleeve "Are you enjoying the show, little stalker?"
Maria said nothing, just stared.
"If you tell me you love me," Jake teased, "I might even consider being your sugar daddy. But... sigh..." He looked up at the ceiling dramatically. "It turns out you're not the smart one stalking me. And that is annoying."
Maria's breath caught. What did he just say?
Jake looked directly at the camera embedded in his sleeve.
"Oh well. Say goodbye to your little spy toy."
Then, with a grin, he crushed the hidden camera and tossed the remains to the ground.
Maria blinked she understands finally so neo put a camera in his sleeve.
Neo... He'd been watching. And now Jake knew.
Everything had changed in a flash.
..................
Jay burst into laughter, the sound echoing through the private lounge.
He tilted his head and looked at Neo, whose expression had gone dark. "This guy's not a rookie. He noticed Mike's investigation too. Be careful, Neo. That's not someone you want to treat like background noise."
Neo's jaw clenched. He hurled the laptop across the room—it crashed into the wall, sparking briefly before falling dead.
"First Mike… now Jake?" Neo muttered, pressing his fingers to his forehead like it ached. "Another guy I can't get any damn intel on? What kind of idiot did Mike and bring into this mess?"
Jay shrugged and kept petting his cat, acting like Neo's fury was just background music.
---
Elsewhere…
Jake led Maria through a dim corridor and opened a heavy steel door that revealed a shooting range unlike anything she expected. The walls were reinforced, the lighting was dim and harsh, and the scent of gunpowder clung to the air like old perfume.
Then he walked in.
The instructor.
A six-foot-five wall of muscle with a face like it had been chiseled out of bitterness and disappointment. His eyes scanned Maria, and he sighed like he'd been personally betrayed by the universe.
Jake leaned against the wall with a smug grin. "Have fun."
Maria raised the gun—awkward, unsure, and stiff.
Bang!
The bullet missed the moving target by at least a meter.
"WHAT—was that?" the instructor barked, storming toward her. "Did your wrists die before you were born? Are you holding a gun or baking a damn cake?!"
Maria flinched as he swatted her elbows into place.
"Stand up straight! You're not holding a handbag at a rich aunt's funeral, you're aiming to kill!"
She tried again. Another miss.
"Who trained you? A blind rabbit? No—don't answer that. I don't want to know." He pinched the bridge of his nose. "Your stance is a disaster. Your aim? A national embarrassment."
Jake was on the floor, wheezing with laughter. "She shoots like a chicken with a cramp!"
The instructor didn't even look at Jake. Instead, he picked up a long wooden stick, marched over, and smacked Jake on the shoulder hard enough to make him fall backward.
"OUT. I don't train audiences. This isn't a circus."
Jake grinned as he scrambled out, still laughing. "Fine! Don't cry when she accidentally shoots you."
Maria glared at both of them, then looked back at the instructor.
He stared at her with the intensity of a war general forced to train a clown. "You are the worst student I have seen in ten years. But fine. Let's waste time together."
He kicked the target settings up a notch, and multiple moving dummies began appearing and disappearing.
"Shoot. Don't blink. Don't breathe. Hit one, or I'll make you run drills until your soul bleeds."
Maria lifted the gun. Her hands were steady now—not out of confidence, but pure defiance.
She wouldn't let him mock her forever.
Maria adjusted her grip, narrowed her eyes, and exhaled.
Bang!
The dummy's head jerked back.
Bullseye.
She froze for a second. Did she…?
Then she dropped the gun, raised both arms, and screamed in victory. "YES! Headshot, baby! Did you see that?! Someone call the news—Maria just sniped a—"
BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!
The targets whirred to life again—faster. Smarter. Angrier.
"What the hell?! I thought we were done!" she yelled, ducking just in time as a new target zipped past her head like a ghost on caffeine.
Maria sat down. Right there on the floor.
Cross-legged. Back straight. Face blank.
"I'm done. I retire. I'm a one-shot legend."
The instructor stalked over with his wood stick of doom.
"Get. Up."
"No."
"What are you, five?"
"Yes."
He pointed the stick like a sword. "I've trained agents from eight countries. I've trained mercenaries who can disassemble rifles blindfolded. And you—you're a fried noodle in a gunfight!"
Maria folded her arms. "And you look like your last relationship was with a brick wall."
Dead silence.
Then wood hit the floor, and Maria yelped as he chased her around the range like a furious dad with a slipper. "OUT! OUT! TAKE YOUR BULLSEYE AND GET OUT!"
Jake was outside leaning against the car when the door
burst open. Maria flew out, panting, her pride in tatters. The instructor stood at the door like a war god of rage
Jake took one look and collapsed into a fit of laughter.
He bent over, clutching his stomach, tears in his eyes.
You—he—he chased you out! With the wood?! Oh my god, you pissed him off that bad?!"
Maria stomped over, grabbed his ear, and yanked.
"OW! OW! MARIA—"
"Laugh again and I'll shove your fancy vape down your throat!"
She dragged him by the ear to the car, muttering curses the whole way.
And Jake? Still laughing, even with a red ear.
"Best shooting lesson ever."