System Chose Me As Heir; The One Million Dollars Mission

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Adrian handed over his old card at the checkout, trying not to think about how much money he was spending. The cashier scanned his gift box, then a voice cut through the store, loud and mocking.

“Well, would you look at that? The scholarship kid!”

He froze, recognizing Ricardo Rodriguez’s voice—and the snickers from his crew. Adrian didn’t care much for them, and he was pretty sure the feeling was mutual. Really, he’d rather get in and out, no drama.

“Hey, pauper. What, are you shopping now? This place is a little pricey for someone like you.” The guys closed in, smirking. “I doubt you can even afford to look at anything here.”

Ricardo had always been obnoxious—the richest guy at Ravendale, always flashing his cash, always running his mouth about people like Adrian who barely scraped by. Before, Ricardo used to just ignore him, acting like Adrian wasn’t even worth the effort. That changed fast when he found out Adrian was seeing Teresa Williams, easily the most beautiful girl in school. From then on, Ricardo made it his mission to humiliate him any chance he got.

Ricardo eyed Adrian’s purchase. “Is that a gift box? Adorable. Let me guess—it’s for Teresa.” He grinned. One of the guys chimed in, “She’s really gonna accept that? Looks like something straight out of the discount bin.” More laughter.

“You came all the way here just for that trash? You don’t even have shame, man,” another one sneered.

Ricardo leaned in and clapped a heavy hand on Adrian’s shoulder. “Listen, bro, I can’t stand people like you. Sure, you’re smart, a total nerd with your books, but you’ve got nothing in your wallet. You don’t deserve Teresa. She should be with someone like me. I’ll make you a deal—ditch her, and I’ll give you a thousand bucks. Deal?”

Adrian stared at him like he’d grown a second head. Did Ricardo really think he could just pay him to go away? He hadn’t even offered that much.

“No thanks.” Adrian turned away, not bothering to meet Ricardo’s eyes or react to his pack.

The cashier handed back his card with a quiet “Thank you for shopping with us.”

Ricardo’s gang started up again, “Shopping, he says! He probably grabbed the cheapest thing in the whole store. Look at that ratty box—how do you even stay in business with customers like him?”

Adrian walked right past them, refusing to give them the satisfaction of a scene. He knew how this would play out—the poor kid always took the fall, the rich kid walked free. Not worth it.

He’d ignored people like that his whole life. He could keep doing it, for as long as he had Teresa.

With the box tucked under his arm, Adrian headed home. He needed to clean up and change—tonight was a big deal. He wanted everything to be perfect. For her. For them.

He paid the ride and looked up at the party venue. For a second, he just stood there, a little stunned. It was beautiful, nothing like any student party he’d ever been to. The student body had put it all together. Really, Ricardo had put it together—he was, after all, the son of Federico Rodriguez, who was practically made of money. Guys like Ricardo had it all handed to them; Adrian had to juggle part-time jobs on top of class just to scrape together enough for a half-decent necklace for Teresa.

Adrian glanced down at his gift—he’d picked it out so carefully, saved every penny, wrapped it himself. Tonight, in front of everyone, he’d make it official. Sure, all their friends probably guessed they were together after three years, but tonight, he’d say it out loud. No hiding. No pretending.

He checked his phone. Nothing from Teresa yet, not even a read receipt. Maybe she was just caught up with something. He tried calling—straight to voicemail.

Fine. He’d find her inside.

Scanning the party, Adrian searched for a familiar face. He spotted Lily, one of Teresa’s friends.

“Hey, do you know where Teresa is?”

Lily barely looked at him. “I think she went through that door.” She pointed vaguely, barely even making eye contact. Adrian could feel her contempt; Lily had always thought he wasn’t good enough and that Teresa could do better.

“Thanks,” he muttered, following her directions through the glowing doorway, not even pausing to read whatever sign was posted there.

This new room was gorgeous—so much fancier than the last—but the moment Adrian stepped inside, he felt it: every judgmental look, every whispered slur.

“Is that the loser?”

“Who let him in?”

“He looks worse than the janitors. Bet his girlfriend paid for his ticket.”

Even dressed in his best, he stood out. Everyone else sparkled—he came off plain, just one more nobody. Still, he scanned the room, eyes moving quickly… and there she was. His heart thumped as he spotted hair the shade of autumn leaves: Teresa.

She was sitting with a guy—someone he didn’t recognize at first. Adrian took a step forward, but someone stopped him. “Excuse me, sir, this area’s for VIP guests only.” He didn’t even stop walking.

“Just a minute,” he said, the words catching before he could finish. He froze.

Ricardo Rodriguez. Sitting beside Teresa. Right there, kissing her while she held onto him, not pulling away as he

touched her like they were alone.

Adrian’s world just… stopped.