Chapter 6: Rumors Begin
479 Words
The city of Gran Santiago had always been fueled by gossip — but now, the rumors had teeth.
Whispers echoed through campus halls, cafés, and business circles.
> “Did you hear about that internet café? Some ghost investor transformed it overnight.”
“A few small shops in West Market suddenly paid off their debts. Quiet help, no names.”
“Even the Villanuevas are losing ground. Someone’s playing the game… and playing it hard.”
Tredy heard the murmurs as he walked through campus.
He didn’t respond. He didn’t need to.
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At the student café, Leira Mendez sat with her best friend Janelle, scrolling through her phone.
“Look at this,” Janelle whispered, showing her a post from a local business blog:
> 'A mysterious investor known only through the offshore firm Salcor Holdings has begun acquiring properties and shares across Gran Santiago.'
Leira’s eyes narrowed. “Salcor…”
Her thoughts drifted back to Tredy. He’d been so calm lately. Confident. Almost… untouchable.
He still wore basic clothes, but the way he carried himself now? That wasn’t the old Tredy Sales.
“Hey,” Janelle nudged her. “Weren’t you laughing at him with Marco last month?”
Leira looked away. “That was… different.”
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Meanwhile, in Villaridge Tower, Marco stormed into his father’s office.
“We need to fight back! This Salcor thing is gutting us from the inside out!”
Vicente Villanueva shook his head. “I’ve tried everything. They’re too smart, too quiet. Every move they make is legal. It’s like chess… and we’re already five steps behind.”
Marco slammed his fists on the desk. “Then I’ll find out who it is myself.”
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That afternoon, Marco spotted Tredy walking near the main quad.
He stormed toward him, voice rising. “You think you’re clever, don’t you?”
Tredy looked at him, calm as ever. “What are you talking about?”
Marco’s face was red. “Don’t act innocent. You’ve been showing off. Pretending to be someone you’re not.”
Tredy tilted his head. “You mean… not pretending to be poor anymore?”
Students nearby stopped to watch.
Marco growled, “You’ll never be one of us.”
Tredy stepped closer, voice low. “You’re right. I’ll never be one of you… because I don’t need to insult others to feel big.”
The crowd murmured. Marco clenched his jaw, fists shaking.
Tredy leaned in one last time. “Watch your back, Marco. Not everyone shows their power with gold watches.”
He walked away, leaving Marco frozen in place — again.
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Later that night, Leira stared out the window of her condo.
She remembered the way Tredy looked at Marco. Calm, unbothered… dangerous.
For the first time, she wondered:
> “What if I was wrong about him?”
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© Treloce Amaris
- Writer
