The name 'Cameron Reed' felt like a borrowed suit. As he stood before the mirror, straightening the simple, slightly worn button-down shirt he'd chosen. The timeline has changed. He was on the path to what had led to his ruin, university selection. Today was the day he'd originally chosen Astor University, a prestigious, expensive school his adoptive father, Richard Reed, had chosen. It was there, in his second year, he'd meet Lucas Thorne at a business fraternity party.
He wouldn't make that mistake again.
The knock at his door had been a start on the storyline. The walk downstairs was a journey through a museum of his own past suffering. Every piece of cold, modern art, every gleaming surface, echoed with silent insults and dismissals. He entered the sun-drenched breakfast room, where the Reeds were already positioned like the perfect family... which is far from what they truly are... with him left aside like the outsider he is.
Richard Reed sat at the head of the table, looking at his tablet, reading a financial tabloid, his silvering hair perfectly styled. Victoria Reed sipped her espresso, her gaze sweeping over Cameron's arrival. And there she was, Chloe Reed, his adoptive sister. At twenty, she was the picture of an ambitious pampered heiress, scrolling through her phone, likely looking at images of Anastasia "Anna" Sterling, her idol. The sight of her sent a cold, deadly shock through him. His mind replaying the image of her face, twisted in panic and triumph as he fell.
"You're late," Richard stated without looking up. "Sit. We need to discuss Astor. I've finalized the recommendation from Senator Gable. Your mother has arranged a suitable dormitory for you."
Cameron slid into his usual seat, the one far from everyone, and kept his eyes on his empty plate. The old Cameron would have muttered thanks with his shoulders hunched. The new one calculated. He had to reject Astor, but a direct refusal would be a declaration of war he wasn't ready to fight yet. He needed a deflection, not a confrontation.
"Thank you," he said, his voice quiet but clear. He reached for the toast, forcing his hands not to shake. "I've been looking at the course structures."
Chloe snorted, not looking up from her phone. "As if you have a choice. Daddy's pulling strings for a reason. Don't embarrass him by failing out."
'She was always the trigger', Cameron thought, 'while our parents were the supporters'. He ignored her, focusing on Richard. "Astor's business program is top-tier, of course. But I've been going through the past graduates and what became off them and their career." He said, using what Richard will be interested in. "For someone without a… business network within the school alumni, the ROI* is surprisingly low compared to some state universities with stronger cooperative programs and opportunities."
Richard finally looked up, a flicker of surprise in his cold eyes. Cameron never talked back nor voice out his opinions, especially backed by something resembling research. "ROI? What sentimental nonsense is that? You go to Astor for the name, for the connections. The degree is a formality. You'll make connections you can't make elsewhere."
'Connections like the one where you sell your son', Cameron's mind screamed, but his face remained calm. "I understand. It's just… I've also been considering Crestview University."
A beat of silence. Crestview was an excellent school, but it was several tiers below Astor in the social-climbing hierarchy the Reeds worshipped. It was, however, in a different city, three hours away, and had a renowned, scholarship program for computer science.
Victoria set her cup down with a sharp click. "Crestview? Don't be foolish, Cameron. That's a school for commoners on scholarships, not for people like us."
'People like you', he corrected silently. 'I was never one of you'.
"Their Advanced Computational Analytics program has a direct line to the Blackwood Group's research division," Cameron said, the name leaving his lips carefully. He'd remembered it from some financial news he'd seen in his past life. Aaron Blackwood's empire. It was a gamble, using that name. "Attention the school would be a significant connection. No doubt more better and important than any Astor could give."
Richard's eyebrow twitched. The name 'Blackwood' was a powerful force in his world. A connection there was worth a hundred Senator Gables. "Blackwood? How do you know about their recruitment?"
"It was in a professional journal," Cameron lied smoothly. "The article highlighted Crestview's partnership. It's selective, but if I could secure a scholarship, it would reduce the financial output and increase the gain." He was selling his desire for freedom as a business proposal.
Richard studied him, trying to see if the once obedient and timid prey has grown a spine. "You think you can secure a full scholarship? Your grades are adequate, not exceptional."
'Because I was too busy surviving this house to put effort in my studies', Cameron thought. "My final semester grades will be exceptional," he stated, a quiet vow. "And I've already drafted my application essays for the Crestview STEM scholarship. I can have them for your review." Offering review was a plus mark, it shows he was still the docile, caged prey they knew.
"Let me see the data on this Blackwood link," Richard finally said, turning back to his tablet. It wasn't a yes, but it was a crack in the door. A temporary suspension of the Astor decree.
Chloe rolled her eyes. "Boring. Do what you want. Just don't come crawling back when you're drowning in loans." Her disinterest was his victory.
Breakfast continued in its usual stifling silence, but for Cameron, the air was different. He had moved his first piece on the board. The victory was very small, but it was real.
_____
*ROI: Return of investment. It's the loss or gain of an investment.