From Bullets To Billions

Looking at the woman and the way she was dressed, Max could instantly tell she was most likely connected to some kind of group, probably not a good one.

But what he didn't expect was the way she called out to him, using his real name. It wasn't subtle. It was a threat. And it made Max wonder, how did someone like her even know that kind of information?

Seriously? What's with people showing up at my school? Max thought. Is my information really that easy to find?

The only reason the Rejected Corps even knew about this place was because Dipter had been here. So how did this woman know?

Regardless of how she knew, her revealing his real name could spell big trouble. If it got out to the wrong people, or even just the wrong students, Max might be forced to leave the school. And that would ruin everything he had planned.

"I see you want to talk, then," Max said, steadying himself. "I'll follow you, wherever you want to go."

"Max!" Joe called out, stepping forward. "Let me come with you!"

Max shook his head and leaned in close so only Joe could hear.

"I might be walking into something serious," he whispered. "Something that'll take a lot more than just the two of us to deal with. Call Aron. Tell him to follow me as soon as possible. He'll know what to do from there."

Max had no idea who this woman was. She wasn't someone he recognized from the Rejected Corps. Could she be from the Chalkline Boys instead? But weren't all of them supposed to be men?

Then again, maybe "Chalkline Boys" was just a name, not a description of the members themselves.

Still, another possibility crept into his mind. Could someone from the Stern family have sent her?

I'm starting to realize I've made more enemies in this new body than I ever had before, Max thought. This might be even worse than when I was leading the White Tiger Group.

Regardless, Max followed the woman, and the rest of the students were left behind, stunned and confused, watching him go.

"No… it can't be!" Abby gasped, her hand covering her mouth. "Is that… is that Max's lover?!"

"What?!" The others all turned sharply, their eyes practically popping out of their heads.

"Don't be silly! What would make you say something like that?" Cindy asked.

"Because… because…" Abby's face had already turned bright red from the thought alone, but she couldn't stop herself. She blurted it out anyway. "Max said he likes older women!"

The others were silenced by her words. Cindy smacked her own forehead, finally connecting the dots. That's why Abby had asked that strange question earlier in the day.

"I don't think it's that," Sheri replied, trying to calm things down. "That woman… she called out his name like she wasn't even sure it was really him. Like she was working off a description or something. Don't worry."

Sheri wanted to say more, but something held her back. So she kept it to herself and just thought it instead.

If I know Max... he only has eyes for one person. And it's the one who's worrying about him the most right now.

"You know what I want to know?" Cindy said, raising her brow. "It's what that woman said. You all heard it, right? She mentioned his real name. Max didn't even deny it. So what gives? Is 'Max' short for something? Why would saying his real name be such a big deal? It was like when a parent uses your full name to scold you."

Sheri was starting to think more deeply about it too. The phrase "real name" put her on high alert for a second.

"Ah, don't worry about it," Sheri said after a pause. "They were probably just talking in code. Come on, let's go get some milk tea. My treat."

"Joe, you coming too?" she asked.

"Yeah, sure," Joe answered, though he was clearly distracted.

He had already pulled out his phone and sent a message to Aron, giving him the quick rundown. Aron immediately asked which direction they had gone in and told Joe to leave the rest to him.

He didn't want Joe getting into any more trouble, especially not after everything that had happened recently.

At the same time, while Max was being led away by the mysterious woman, someone else had been keeping a routine watch, someone who'd been doing laps around the area every morning and afternoon when school let out.

"What the…?" Dud muttered from inside his car, peering through the window. "Isn't that… Vivian Kross? From the Black Hounds?"

As a member of the Rejected Corps, Dud was well-versed in knowing the identities of high-ranking members of rival groups. It was crucial to know who to be cautious of.

And Vivian Kross? She was unmistakably one of them.

But the Black Hounds had nothing to do with Max. There was no known connection. No reason for them to get involved with him. Just like Dipter, Max was supposed to be outside their radar.

So why was Vivian Kross talking to Max? Why were they walking together?

"This doesn't make any sense," Dud muttered. "Why would the Black Hounds be involved in all this? Should I report this to Chrono? Or... maybe I should just stay out of it?"

Dud stayed parked for a moment, watching, trying to make a decision.

Back near the school gates, Joe was still feeling unsettled. Even though Aron had responded quickly and said he'd handle it, it had only slightly eased the tight knot in Joe's chest.

Aron was reliable, that much was true. But it hadn't been that long since they'd lost Jay. The memory was still raw.

If Max was walking into danger, and something happened to him too, what would happen to the Bloodline group?

Joe couldn't lead them. He didn't want to. It wasn't his group, or his role to fill. The very thought made his stomach turn.

He just felt… helpless.

I guess I just need to get stronger, Joe thought. So I can help out in other ways, not just stand around.

His phone was still in his hand when another thought crept in. Something Cindy had asked had sparked it.

Right… real name. Didn't I hear Max use another name before? At the hospital or something… What was it? Bern? No, that doesn't sound right. Ah! Stern. That was it, Stern.

The name sounded familiar… but not familiar enough. It bugged him. So, on impulse, he opened his browser and typed it into the search bar.

He hit the search button, scanned the first few lines, and then his phone slipped out of his hands and clattered to the floor.

"What the…" Joe whispered, eyes wide.

Something big had just clicked.

And it changed everything.