Chapter 13 By the time the last Visual Identity Design class wrapped up , it was nearly 5:00 pm . Luciana grabbed a sandwich from the campus convenience store and rushed over to her shift at The Fable Fox . The moment she stepped through the door , Ben walked over , looking a little uneasy . " Hey , Luciana . You made it . " " Sorry , traffic was a nightmare , " she said , heading straight for the locker room . " I'll change real quick . " But Ben didn't sound in a hurry . His tone was awkward , like he was trying to find the right words . " Luciana … I'm really sorry , but the owner told me business hasn't been great lately . We've got to start cutting hours , so … you don't need to come in anymore . Your last paycheck will hit your account on schedule . " Luciana froze . It took a few seconds for the words to sink in . She glanced back at the front door , where a long line of customers was already forming . " Business is bad ? But we've got people lining up every day … " She had been working here for over a year , back when the place was still a hidden gem . Now , it was all over social media , with people flocking in non - stop . There was no way business had dropped . Ben had gotten to know Luciana pretty well by now , and he genuinely liked her . Luciana was hardworking and polite , never causing any trouble . So , he hesitated for a moment , then leaned in and asked quietly , " Luciana , be honest with me - did you piss someone off recently ? " Luciana blinked . " L .. I don't think so ? " Ben sighed . " Look , I'm just being honest with you . Mr. Hudson said someone made it clear they don't want you working here anymore . Someone with influence . So … we're kinda stuck . " It felt like someone had dropped a brick on Luciana's chest . She stood there , stunned , for a long moment before finally nodding . " I get it , " she said quietly , slinging her canvas backpack over her shoulder . " Thanks for telling me . If you ever need someone again , I'd really appreciate a call " Ben looked genuinely guilty . Jobs weren't easy to come by these days , and he knew Luciana wasn't just working for fun . At 20 , most women were out on dates , buying new outfits , and living carefree lives . But Luciana ? She was just trying to stay afloat . Still , orders were orders . Ben could only nod . " Yeah … Of course . " Luciana stepped out of The Fable Fox with no real idea where to go . Losing that job meant losing her biggest paycheck . Without it , she didn't even know if she could make rent or keep paying tuition . She wandered to the nearest bus stop and sat down on the bench . Night had quietly fallen over Jaxwell , and the city lit up in a dazzling glow . Streets and alleyways shimmered under neon signs and twinkling lights like stars scattered across the skyline . The wide roads were packed with honking cars and bustling crowds . Luciana sat there , staring blankly at the endless flow of people . Her chest ached like someone had driven a blade straight through her, the wound so deep she couldn't even find the words for the pain . Ben said someone had it out for her . But who ? She had worked at The Fable Fox for over a year without a single complaint . In fact , she had gotten compliments - people even mentioned her name in their reviews . She didn't know how long she sat there on the bench . Eventually , her stomach rumbled , reminding her she hadn't eaten all day . She pulled out the sandwich she had bought earlier and started taking small , slow bites . Meanwhile , back at the biomedical science department , Thiago had just represented Altigo Group to sign a collaboration agreement with Kevin's research team . He slid the signed contract across the desk , tapping the page lightly with a long finger . " Professor Dibble , here's to a good collaboration . " Kevin smiled at him . " Back when we were in Ubrurg , I knew you had something special . I mean , what kind of high school kid practically lived in the lab , messing around with CRISPR tech and trying to fix genetic disorders ? " Kevin had been a visiting professor at Meadows University for a few years . Thiago , when he was back in high school , used to sneak into his lectures all the time . They had known each other for years now . " Yeats , that was me , " Thiago said with a lazy grin , leaning back in his chair . " Too bad I wasn't good enough and ended up blowing up a whole lab with the wrong reagent . The cops nearly hauled me off , and my dad had to swoop in to bail me out . " Kevin signed his name on the last page , then handed the folder back to Thiago . " With your talent , you don't need to study under me for grad school . Tell me the truth - why are you here at Jorendale University ? " Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!