Leave Me Alone, Big Brothers! [BL]-Chapter 165: A Victory that Hurt

Alexander paced into his study. The morning sun streamed through the mansion’s tall windows, but he didn’t notice the view. He still couldn’t believe he had been defeated. He hadn’t even joined the others for breakfast.

Huan, who appeared to be organizing some documents, looked at Alexander, who seemed agitated. He watched him with an expression that shifted between amusement and genuine surprise.

"What is it?"

"I still don’t believe this," Alexander said, stopping to look at Huan. Then he walked to his chair.

"What happened?" Huan asked, tilting his head. He knew they had tried to patch things up with Nathan. "Is he still angry?"

Alexander let out a sharp, frustrated breath. "He made us kneel down. Imagine that. All of us."

Huan’s eyes widened. He shifted his position on the desk, leaning forward with sudden interest. "Really? And then? What did you do?"

Alexander looked annoyed. "What could I do?"

Huan went silent for a moment, his mouth hanging open. "You knelt down?"

"I’ve never been so afraid of someone before, but he really, really scares me," Alexander admitted. He sat down heavily in his leather office chair.

"Not because he’s a physical threat, but I’m seriously worried he’ll try to run away again. After everything that’s happened, the fact that he’s still willing to stay in this house at all is a miracle."

Huan softened his expression. He walked over and stood behind Alexander, placing his hands on Alexander’s shoulders. "Anyway, you did your best. I’m really proud of you. It takes a lot of strength to humble yourself for your family like that."

Alexander leaned back into Huan’s touch. "It didn’t stop there. He wants land, apartments. He even wants a car. I already regret saying yes. Damn."

"Well, why is that such a problem?" Huan asked. "He was going to get those things sooner or later. Why does he want them now?"

"Who knows why he wants them now," Alexander muttered. "I think he was just preparing to leave. Well... anyway, I gave him my word. I have to give him what he wants. But at least I hope this matter is settled."

Alexander looked up at Huan. "I need your help with this. Help Jack do it. I know I said I didn’t want you to work, but..."

Huan cut him off immediately. "Did I ever say I wanted to stop working? I’ll do it."

"No, listen," Alexander said, grabbing Huan’s hand. "Help Jack. Don’t do the whole thing yourself. I want Jack to learn the administrative side. You act as the advisor."

Huan let out a small huff. "I’m bored at home, Alex. I need something to keep my mind occupied."

"Find some hobbies," Alexander suggested with a small smile. "Or you can start coming with me to my meetings. Do you want to meet the board members?"

Huan made a face. "You know I hate that. I only go to those things if I have to protect you. I’m not a social butterfly."

"But it’s different now," Alexander said. "You wouldn’t be coming as my assistant. You’d be coming as my lover. People will look at you differently."

Huan pouted slightly. "It’s so boring. Give me back my jobs."

Alexander looked at Huan for a long moment, then smiled. "If you work for me, you have to come with me anyway. What’s the difference?"

Huan sighed.

Alexander chuckled and pulled Huan closer. "You’re stuck with me. So you better enjoy your life, find hobbies, and have fun."

"I have no objections."

Alexander smiled, then looked at his phone. "I need to ask Jack to come in. I want to see the reports from the forest. I want to know exactly what happened out there."

***

Monday arrived.

The atmosphere at the school was different. The hallways weren’t filled with the usual shouting and laughter. Students walked quickly to their assigned classrooms, clutching notebooks and pens. It was the start of the final exams.

Nathan arrived early. He had spent the entire Sunday locked in his room, studying until his eyes burned. He felt like a zombie now.

When he entered the classroom, he saw Zane and immediately looked away.

Zane was already at his desk. The moment Nathan walked inside, Zane stood up. He looked pale, and there were dark circles under his eyes. He started walking toward Nathan, his expression desperate.

Nathan didn’t slow down. He walked to his desk and pulled out his laptop, acting as if the room were empty.

"Nath, why did you block me?" Zane asked. His voice was low, and it sounded cracked.

"Good morning," Nathan said. He didn’t look up. He opened his textbook.

"Nath, seriously? You’re driving me crazy," Zane whispered, leaning over Nathan’s desk.

"Focus on your test," Nathan said. His voice was cold. "I’m not going to talk to you until after the exams are finished. I have to graduate."

"Nath, seriously?" Zane asked again. He looked as if he’d been slapped.

"I’m serious," Nathan said.

Zane stood there for a few seconds, looking deeply hurt. Nathan felt a small pang of sympathy, but he pushed it down.

He told himself that Zane was a playboy. He told himself that Zane would get over it soon and find someone new to flirt with.

That was how people like Zane operated—they moved from one heart to the next without looking back.

The week was grueling. Nathan poured every ounce of his anger and frustration into his studies. He didn’t look at Zane during breaks. He ate his lunch alone. He truly avoided Zane’s presence.

And over time, he realized Zane had stopped approaching him.

He felt something clench in his heart, but he tried to ignore it. Their relationship was over.

On Friday afternoon, the results were posted on the school’s internal website. Nathan sat in class. Everyone was so quiet and tense; only the sound of keyboard clicks could be heard.

Nathan opened his account. His heart was pounding against his ribs. He logged in and navigated to the score list.

He prayed he would get second place.

But the result truly shocked him.

His name, Nathan Salazar, was displayed at the top of the class, with the highest score.

No way.

Nathan stared at the screen. He couldn’t believe it. He had beaten everyone. He was a transfer student who had missed a lot of lessons, yet he was at the top of the class.

A surge of genuine happiness and pride washed over him. He felt a sense of power. He had proven to himself that he didn’t need the Salazar name to be successful; he had his own brain.

But then his curiosity got the better of him. He scrolled down the list, looking for Zane’s name. Zane was usually a permanent fixture in first place.

He felt a little proud of beating that kid.

Zane... His eyes fixed on the screen.

In second place?

No. Second place was taken by Sarah Jenkins.

Then another name in third place.

No Zane.

Nathan scrolled past the top ten. Then the top twenty. He kept scrolling until his blood ran cold.

Rank 28: Zane Leinster

Nathan froze. Zane, the top student of the year, the boy who had tutored Nathan, had dropped almost to the bottom of the class. It was a disaster. In a school this competitive, a drop like that was unheard of.

Nathan looked across the classroom. Zane was sitting in the corner. He wasn’t looking up. He wasn’t even looking at his screen. He looked physically ill; his skin was pale.

Nathan felt a wave of worry he couldn’t suppress. Why? Why had Zane failed so badly?

Before Nathan could decide whether to approach him, the classroom door opened. Their homeroom teacher walked in.

"Zane Leinster? Please come with me," she said.

Zane stood up slowly. He didn’t look at anyone. He didn’t even look at Nathan. He followed the teacher out of the room.

Nathan stared at the screen in front of him. The perfect scores, the number one ranking, it all felt like a mockery now. He felt a heavy knot of guilt in his stomach. He remembered Zane’s apology that night, waiting for him patiently.

Nathan took a deep breath. He tried to tell himself it wasn’t his fault. He tried to tell himself that Zane was a grown man who should be able to manage his own life. But the image of Zane’s pale, defeated face wouldn’t leave his mind.

Nathan closed his laptop. He didn’t feel like celebrating. He felt like he had won a prize that cost too much. He walked out of the room, his mind already racing. He needed to know if Zane was okay, but his pride was still standing in the way like a wall.

He saw Zane walk into the classroom that afternoon. Whatever they had discussed in the teachers’ room, Zane didn’t look okay.

Nathan only glanced over when he saw Zane grab his bag and walk out.

So cold.