As Aiden wandered the corridors after lunch, he overheard a group of boys conversing loudly in a corner. Initially, he paid little attention, but his ears perked up when he caught his own name being mentioned.

"So what if his father is rich? He acts like a king, thinking he's above everyone else, Hmph!" remarked a tall, bulky boy with a tone dripping with disdain.

"You're spot on, Jason. My dad says the Grey family is involved in shady business, and that's why they're wealthy," added another boy, his disapproval evident.

"Exactly! A boy from a family like that doesn't belong in our school," another boy said in condescending tone

More and more students joined the discussion, criticizing Aiden for his assertive personality. 

"You all know my father said he got the approval for the collaboration with the big company and he said he will take me to outer states for the summer vacation" Jason boasted proudly as he received a he group of cheers and aww's from his fellow students

"The company you're talking about is Stellar, isn't it?" Aiden's calm voice cut through the conversation as he stepped out from the corner, hands casually tucked into his pockets.

The students who had previously mocked and blamed him fell silent in his presence. They were quick to speak ill of him behind his back, but lacked the courage to do so face-to-face. After all, their parents had often admonished them to get along with Aiden, recognizing his status as the sole grandson of the Grey family, the most influential business conglomerate in Worcester City with holdings across the states.

Over time, jealousy had festered among his peers, fueled by Aiden's wealth and power. With his striking black hair and piercing green eyes, he surpassed them in looks as well. And with his aloof demeanor, he seemed almost like an immortal deity traversing the grounds of the Imperial Academy.

As if adding fuel to the fire, the girls in their school always swooned over him, worshipping the ground he walked on.

"Stellar is just a small sub-branch of the Altron Group. Your father couldn't manage a collaboration with the main branch, so he settled for the smaller sub-branch. How pitiful," Aiden remarked, arching an eyebrow in mockery.

Jason clenched his teeth in frustration. "Don't spout nonsense. This company has nothing to do with you, Greys."

"Tch... Wasn't your father behind the proposed amusement park in the city center? But alas, his plans were so lacking that they were rejected by the Altron Group seven times. Only after altering his plans and budget did he manage to secure approval from Stellar, a mere sub-branch of Altron. What's there to be proud of?" Aiden's words were calm, but they stung with undeniable truth.

The boy seethed with fury, itching to beat Aiden, but his friends intervened, preventing any altercation. Fighting was strictly forbidden at the Imperial Academy, and those caught engaging in such behavior faced immediate expulsion without exception.

As Jason's anger simmered down, he smirked and loudly taunted, "Do you think you have everything? You don't even have a mother."

Aiden clenched his teeth, but he maintained his composure. His father's teachings echoed in his mind: a true fighter knows how to control their emotions, refusing to let them dictate their actions. With a defiant glare, Aiden turned to leave for his class.

"What, are you too scared to respond now?" Jason jeered, happy to see Aiden retreat. "I have a mother who loves me, cooks for me, and spoils me rotten."

"Do you even have a mother who loves you?" he continued, his words laced with mockery. "Of course, a motherless child like you doesn't know what love is."

The boys erupted in laughter at Aiden's expense, but their mirth was short-lived. Suddenly, a loud thud echoed through the corridor as Aiden pinned Jason to the ground, delivering a powerful punch. In the blink of an eye, a brawl erupted between them, halting only when teachers intervened.

As both Aiden and Jason were summoned to the principal's office, the principal's heart sank at the sight of Aiden's bruise, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. He promptly instructed their homeroom teacher to notify Jason's parents of the incident. Regarding Aiden, he assured him that he would personally inform Mr. Raven Grey.

Siren's expression darkened as she listened to Aiden recount the events. Her intuition told her that Raven hadn't been informed about the fight, as evidenced by his curt response. Aiden remained seated, his head bowed in distress. Unsure of what to say, Siren opted to offer comfort in the form of a gentle ruffle of his hair.

After a moment of silence, she spoke softly. "You know your father loves you, right?"

Aiden's voice was barely a whisper as he responded, "But it's also true that I'm a motherless child," burying his head in her arms.