Chapter 24: The Mayor Bows Low

Chapter 24: The Mayor Bows Low
To the outside world, Brandon Fuller was just a powerful lawyer with a sharp tongue.

He was known for his cold, calculating logic in the courtroom. A man who spoke with precision, always two steps ahead. Most people thought of him as the kind of elite professional who charged a fortune just to say hello.

But behind the polished suit and spotless record, Brandon lived a very different life—one the public never saw.

Because Brandon didn’t just work in law. He moved between both light and shadow.

He handled the dirtiest cases—the ones that would ruin any other lawyer’s reputation. Kidnappings. Contract murders. Multi-billion dollar blackmail. Those were the types of clients Brandon took.

And no one questioned him.

Because even the most dangerous criminals in Southeast Ardon bowed their heads when he entered a room.

They didn’t call him “Brandon.” They called him Mr. Fuller.

They sent gifts during holidays, even when they were behind bars.

They sent favors just to stay on his good side.

Because one rumor about Brandon was enough to make the strongest man sweat.

Some whispered that Brandon was the son of Southeast Ardon’s most feared underworld boss—a man whose name had vanished from public records but whose empire still ran deep behind closed doors.

Others said Brandon had never been part of any law firm. That he’d been raised in the shadows, trained not just as a lawyer—but as a weapon. A sharp-edged sword, meant to defend the darkest empires from ever seeing the light of court.

No one knew the truth.

But no one dared to investigate either.

Not after what happened to the last person who tried.

A journalist once questioned Brandon’s background—right after he won a controversial murder trial that shocked the nation. He asked too many questions. Dug too deep.

That reporter disappeared two days later.

So did his entire team.

And their files.

Vanished.

Like they never existed.

After that, Brandon’s name became a quiet warning. You didn’t speak it unless you had to. You didn’t challenge him unless you had a death wish.

So when Brandon received a call that afternoon and the girl on the other end said calmly that she was a friend of Lucian—

Everything in his world stopped.

His hand, which had been signing a document, froze mid-stroke.

His eyes sharpened.

That name. That one name was enough to silence a room full of killers.

Lucian.

It wasn’t even his real name. No one knew that.

Lucian was more like a myth. A ghost that walked in daylight. Untouchable. Invisible. And terrifyingly powerful.

In their world, if someone said they were tied to Lucian, it meant just one thing.

They were protected.

Protected in ways no law could guarantee. They were untouchable by the system, by power, by fear.

Brandon sat up straighter.

“Where are you?” he asked sharply.

The girl—Elira—answered, “In the country. Helios District. Sundrift City.”

“I’m on a short trip here,” she added, her tone light, “But I was about to leave.”

Brandon’s voice was already firm. “Text me your location. I’m on my way.”

That was all he needed.

Elira continued, “I’m at Sundrift High. I don’t have any evidence. I’m with the defendants.”

Brandon blinked once.

Sundrift High?

A high school?

Defendants?

This was strange.

He had handled cases against senators, CEOs, mafia leaders. But a high school?

Still, his instincts told him to listen.

“If you’re not safe,” Brandon offered, “I’ll send backup.”

But Elira’s voice was calm, almost indifferent. “It’s fine.”

Brandon leaned forward, his voice lowering. “What’s the charge?”

“Slander. Defamation. Threats. Personal reputation damage. I’m the plaintiff. The school leaders are the accused.”

Brandon had never taken a case like this in his life.

It was small.

Petty.

Not worth his time.

But Lucian’s name had changed everything.

Brandon gave one short breath. “Don’t speak to them anymore. You have the right to remain silent. I’ll be there in 45 minutes.”

He hung up.

Then turned to his driver, already stepping toward the door. “Step on it.”



Back at Sundrift High, Elira stood in the cramped school office, her expression unreadable.

She faced the teachers with quiet steel in her eyes.

“You’ve completely lost it,” her homeroom teacher snapped, voice rising in disbelief. “What do you think this is? A gangster film?”

There was tension in her voice. Panic masked as authority.

“You even brought a phone to school. That already shows your attitude! I’m calling your parents right now!”

She stepped forward, hand outstretched.

But before she could touch Elira, the girl moved.

Quick. Precise.

Elira caught her wrist mid-air and twisted it sharply.

“Ah—!” the teacher shrieked in pain.

Gasps echoed around the office.

Everyone froze in place.

The math teacher stepped forward in shock. “Elira, are you crazy?! You just assaulted a teacher!”

“Let go this instant!”

But Elira didn’t flinch.

She released the woman and took a measured step back.

Her voice was cold, steady.

“From this moment on, this is no longer a school matter. It’s a legal dispute. You are the defendants. So stop acting like teachers. Sit down. Be quiet. And wait for the lawyer. Or you’ll be the ones in real trouble.”

The room fell silent.

No one had ever heard a student speak like that.

It wasn’t disrespectful.

It was terrifyingly professional.

The homeroom teacher backed away slowly, clutching her wrist.

“Elira… you’ve lost your mind…”

The rest of the staff looked around in confusion, unsure whether to interfere or stay still.

Elira didn’t care.

She calmly pulled out her phone again.

“You can call the police. Or I can do it for you.”

She tapped the screen.

Dialed 911.

This time, no one laughed.

The phone rang.

She calmly explained her report to the emergency dispatcher, her tone level.

Across the room, the principal turned white.

This wasn’t a tantrum anymore.

This was an official record.

And if the police came…

It would explode beyond school walls.

A scandal. A lawsuit. News headlines.

He slammed his palm on the desk. “One more word, and I’ll expel you!”

Then barked, “Wheeler! Call her parents now!”

But before Wheeler could grab her phone…

The office door burst open.

Footsteps echoed against the tile.

“Why are there so many people?” a deep male voice asked. “Is this a courtroom?”

The room went dead silent.

Everyone turned at once.

A tall man in a navy blue suit stepped inside. His hair was neatly styled. His face was composed. But his eyes—

They owned the room.

The principal gasped.

He leapt from his chair and rushed forward.

“Mayor Carter! What an honor, sir!”

He extended both hands eagerly.

But Jackson Carter didn’t look at him.

He walked straight past the principal.

Didn’t stop.

Didn’t greet.

Didn’t acknowledge.

He made his way across the room until he stood directly in front of Elira.

“Miss Kane,” he said warmly.

There was familiarity in his voice.

Respect in his tone.

Then he did something no one expected.

He reached out both hands to her.

A gesture of welcome. Of deep honor.

Elira didn’t take them.

She simply looked at him, expression unreadable.

Jackson gave a small chuckle and politely withdrew his hands. He wasn’t offended.

“My name is Jackson Carter,” he said gently. “I’m the mayor of Sundrift City.”

Elira didn’t speak.

She didn’t need to.

Her calmness said enough.

Everyone else in the room stood frozen.

The mayor?

Talking to her?

Smiling at her like that?

The teachers exchanged silent, stunned glances.

The principal finally found his voice. “Mayor Carter… do you know this student?”

Jackson nodded without hesitation. “Miss Kane is a very special guest of the Carter family.”

Silence.

Stifling.

The principal blinked. “What?”

The homeroom teacher tried to speak. “Elira Kane? Her? She’s from the old town. Her parents are farmers—”

Jackson’s smile vanished.

His gaze turned icy.

“Are you saying I don’t know my own guest?” he asked coldly. “Are you saying I’m senile?”

“No! Not at all!” Wheeler backtracked in panic. “We just… we didn’t know…”

The principal cut in fast. “Mayor Carter, we’re deeply honored by your visit. Is there anything the school can do for you?”

Jackson calmly adjusted his jacket.

“The college entrance exams are approaching. I’m here to show support for the students.”

The principal nodded eagerly. “That’s very noble of you. Our students will be honored.”

But Jackson wasn’t finished.

“I overheard something,” he said quietly. “Sounded like you were threatening to expel Miss Kane.”

He turned slightly, his expression unreadable.

“What crime did she commit?”

No one answered.

The teachers stared at their shoes.

“It was… a misunderstanding,” the principal muttered.

“Yes, just a misunderstanding,” the math teacher echoed quickly.

Elira gave a small, cold breath.

“Hmph.”

Jackson turned his head toward her.

And just like that, the warmth in his expression vanished.