The storm had only just begun. I spent the entire morning battling urgent matters. Lunchtime arrived, and as I was leaving, my phone rang. It was Hayden.

"Cole, have you seen the news? Mom and Dad are furious," he said, his voice tight with anxiety.

I sighed. "I know. I'll help calm them down. I'll visit in a few days."

The call killed my appetite. The next few days wouldn't be easy.

That afternoon, I picked up Jonas from school. At the gate, a crowd of parents and students swarmed a luxury car. Jared emerged, causing a stir. Jonas spotted me and ran over.

"Was school okay?" I crouched, asking softly.

He mumbled, "It was okay, but… a lot of classmates kept asking Xavier about Jared."

"That's alright," I said. "They're just curious."

On the way home, Jonas said, "Daddy, I don't like Jared."

I glanced at his reflection in the mirror. "Why not?"

He mumbled, "Xavier keeps showing off how amazing Jared is… like we're nothing compared to them."

"Jonas," I said calmly, "you don't need to compare yourself. We have our own lives. Be the best version of yourself."

His eyes glistened. "But Daddy, the girls say Jared's a big star… they want to marry someone like him."

I ruffled his hair. "Jonas, a secret: I'm successful because I don't care what others think. I focus on my goals."

His eyes lit up. "You should do the same," I smiled. "Focus on what you love. Like drawing?"

"Yeah! My teacher said my new drawing was great!"

"See?" I laughed. "New art supplies this weekend?"

"Amazing! Thanks, Daddy!"

The next day, a call from Peyton Armando, a university classmate I hadn't spoken to in years.

"Cole! Long time no see! Heard you're having some trouble. Need help?"

"How do you know?" I asked, surprised.

He chuckled. "I'm the editor-in-chief of Business Weekly now. I'm pretty well-informed."

"Thanks, but I can handle it," I said.

"Don't be formal," Peyton replied. "Heard about your new project. Interested in collaborating?"

"Sure," I agreed. "Let's meet."

I hung up and started organizing my project files.