Chapter 68

Pinecrest High's campus was huge. It had expanded significantly over the past decade with the construction of new buildings. Joshua had rarely returned since graduating, aside from a couple of appearances as a distinguished alumnus to motivate the senior class.

But only his graduating class knew the truth: Joshua's grades had been terrible. He had attended a local arts college in Northpine, an institution that cared less about test scores and more about the size of a family's donation. With his natural acting talent and his family's resources, he had quickly made a name for himself in the entertainment industry. The bar for academic achievement in that world was low, and his fans didn't care.

He ran from the school gate, but after a few hundred yards, he was completely turned around. He tried messaging and calling his brother, Joseph, but got no answer. He was frustrated but knew there was little he could do. His brother wouldn't have his phone on him during a game.

He had to stop and ask students for directions. Finally, he learned the game was in the gym and hurried in that direction. By the time he arrived, people were already streaming out.

He grabbed another student. "Is the game over?"

The student nodded. “Yeah, just finished."

A vein throbbed in Joshua's temple. He had arrived early this morning, with more than enough time to make it before the game started. But then he'd been hit by that car, and the lunatic driver had insisted on taking him to the hospital.

Suddenly, a thought struck him.

How was it that he had been hit by a car, and the driver just happened to be a fan, and that fan just happened to be so overly responsible? And then, that same fan had inexplicably left without even offering him a ride.

A suspicion formed in his mind.

George!

The security guard had mentioned that George was at Pinecrest today. Was this his doing?

It had to be!

He was a psycho, obsessed with Marguerite to a terrifying degree. Back then, George never would have dared to do something like this to him. But times had changed. George was no longer the pathetic weakling who would silently endure a broken leg before a game or let Joshua force-feed him hot sauce without a word.

While still a student at Crestview Academy, he founded a tech company, secured massive funding, and then pivoted to become an investor. With his genius-level intellect and sharp instincts, he was now one of Northpine's most formidable tycoons.

It was a reality Joshua had struggled to accept for years. That vile, shameless, low- life psycho had actually managed to claw his way to the top.

He hated it.

There had been a time when he lived in fear, terrified that George would seek revenge against him and the Green family. But George never did. He seemed to be exactly as the public perceived him: noble, magnanimous, a generous philanthropist. He was even devout man of faith, having funded the construction of a new church in Northpine. His faith preached forgiveness and letting go of hatred, and it seemed he had genuinely embraced it.

They had crossed paths a few times over the years. George never offered a warm greeting, but simply treated him as if he didn't exist. It was a better outcome than Joshua could have hoped for, at least there was në retribution. The Green family was: no match for him now. Thank God he'd found religion.

However, today's incident proved that George's benevolent facade was just that—a facade. When it came to Marguerite, he was still the same shameless, unhinged psycho.

What had Marguerite ever done to deserve being the object of his obsession?

The violent impact of the car crash seemed to rush back to him, and a chill crawled up his spine. If George had wanted to, he could have killed him today.