The first day at Alden College was a whirlwind of luxury and intimidation for Sid De. The sprawling campus, with its meticulously manicured lawns and imposing stone buildings, seemed almost unreal to him. Coming from a harsh background, the grandeur of Alden was overwhelming. Sid had secured a rare scholarship, a ticket to a life he had only dreamed of, but it also painted a target on his back in a world where lineage and wealth were the currency of power.

Walking beside him was Sara Ed, his girlfriend and the epitome of grace and power. Her family owned over a hundred companies, and their influence stretched far beyond the walls of Alden. Sara had entered Alden College already established, her reputation preceding her. She held Sid's hand tightly, a silent promise of support. Despite her presence, Sid couldn't shake the feeling of being an outsider.

They walked through the hallways, lined with portraits of distinguished alumni, each one a reminder of the high expectations placed on every student. Sid felt the weight of the stares and whispers following him. He knew that many saw his scholarship as an affront, a challenge to their carefully constructed hierarchy.

"Don't let them get to you, Sid," Sara said, her voice firm yet gentle. "You belong here just as much as any of them."

Sid nodded, trying to take comfort in her words. "I know, Sara. It's just... everything feels so overwhelming."

"You'll be fine. Trust me. And remember, anyone who messes with you will have to answer to me," Sara reassured him, squeezing his hand.

Despite Sara's protection, Sid felt the hostility from other students growing more palpable as the day went on. He was acutely aware of the disdainful looks and whispered comments. Determined to prove himself, Sid focused on his studies, immersing himself in the subjects he loved. His intellect quickly became apparent, earning him the attention of not only his peers but also the faculty.

However, this newfound recognition did not sit well with the upperclassmen. In the cutthroat environment of Alden College, power was everything, and Sid's potential threatened the established hierarchy. The fifth and sixth-year students, who had long held the reins of influence, began to take notice.

Alexander Drake, heir to Drake Enterprises, watched Sid with keen interest. His charismatic and ruthless nature had earned him respect and fear in equal measure. "So, that's the scholarship kid everyone's talking about," he remarked, leaning against a marble pillar.

Isabella Sterling, daughter of a prominent politician and renowned lawyer, sipped her latte with a cold, calculating gaze. "He's smart. Too smart for his own good."

This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

Marcus Blackwood, scion of a global real estate empire, smirked. "We can't have someone like him disrupting the balance. He's a threat."

Elena Hart, heiress to a vast media conglomerate, tilted her head thoughtfully. "But he's close to Sara Ed. She won't let anyone touch him."

Alexander narrowed his eyes. "Sara's power is formidable, but even she has her limits. We just need to be... strategic."

The dirty game of power began with subtle acts of intimidation. Sid found his locker vandalized, his belongings scattered, and anonymous notes filled with threats appearing in his textbooks. Despite these attempts to rattle him, Sid remained resolute, focusing on his studies and relying on Sara for support.

One evening, as they walked back to their dorms, Sid voiced his concerns. "Sara, things are getting worse. I found another note today."

Sara frowned. "What did it say?"

"Just more threats. They keep telling me I don't belong here," Sid replied, his voice tinged with frustration.

"This is unacceptable. I'll handle it, Sid. They won't dare cross me," Sara said, her anger evident.

But the upperclassmen were not easily deterred. They began to orchestrate more elaborate schemes, aiming to break Sid's spirit. Alexander Drake, with his cunning mind, devised a plan that involved using Sid's own intellect against him.

During a critical debate competition, Sid was set to represent the freshmen. It was an opportunity for him to showcase his brilliance. However, just before the event, he received a cryptic message on his phone.

"Sara, look at this," Sid said, showing her the message. His face was pale.

Sara's eyes widened as she read it. "Who sent this?"

"I don't know. It says if I compete, they'll make sure I regret it," Sid replied, anxiety creeping into his voice.

"You're still going to compete. They can't scare you into silence," Sara said, determined.

"But what if something happens? I don't want to make things worse," Sid hesitated.

"We face this head-on, Sid. Together," Sara insisted, her resolve unwavering.

The debate hall was filled with students and faculty. Sid stood at the podium, his heart pounding. As he began his speech, he noticed the upperclassmen in the audience, their eyes fixed on him with a predatory intensity.

Despite the threats, Sid delivered a flawless argument, his words resonating with the audience. For a moment, it seemed like he might triumph. But then, the lights flickered, and the room plunged into darkness. Chaos erupted as students scrambled in confusion.

In the midst of the pandemonium, Sid felt a hand grab his arm. He turned to see Alexander Drake, his face illuminated by the emergency lights.

"Impressive speech, Sid. Too bad it won't matter," Alexander smirked.

"What do you want?" Sid pulled away, his voice steady despite his fear.

"To remind you that no matter how smart you are, you're still an outsider. You can't win here," Alexander leaned in, his voice low and menacing.

"We'll see about that," Sid replied, defiance burning in his eyes.

As the lights came back on, Sid found himself more determined than ever. He knew the road ahead would be fraught with challenges, but with Sara by his side, he was ready to face whatever came his way. Little did he know, the worst was yet to come.