Chapter 1The Billionaire's Anchor: Escaping the Heir's Obsession

Oliver Sterling suffered from severe anger management issues, and I was his anchor.

Everyone around him knew that he would only stay calm and not lash out if I was there.

He brought me into his elite social circle, introduced me to his parents, and told everyone I was his best friend.

But he didn't know I harbored an uncontrollable, secret crush on him.

However, I also knew he was straight.

So, after graduating from college, I quietly disappeared from his life.

* * *

I hit "decline" on Oliver's call again.

The semester had started a few days ago, and Oliver probably realized by now that I hadn't shown up for registration. He had been calling me incessantly, but I didn't dare answer.

I knew he must be furious on the other end.

After all, we had agreed to attend the same grad school—his alma mater.

But I had secretly changed my application, choosing a university all the way in California instead. With his connections, it was easy for him to find out I hadn't enrolled at his school.

Sure enough, right after I declined his call, a barrage of text messages and 60-second voice memos flooded my iMessage. I tapped the very last one.

Oliver's furious, violent voice blasted through the speaker:

"Leo, you actually dared to play me. You better tell me exactly where you are right now. I might just give you a chance to redeem yourself and make your death a little less painful. If you keep ignoring my calls and texts, you better pray I never find you. Because if I do, I will absolutely destroy you. Call me back immediately, do you hear me?!"

Oliver had never spoken to me with that kind of tone before. My hand instinctively trembled when I heard it, and I accidentally sent a thumbs-up emoji back to him.

Once I realized what I had sent, I frantically tried to unsend it, but it was too late.

The very next second, Oliver replied. He sounded like he was gritting his teeth, ready to skin me alive:

"Leo, you've got some nerve, provoking me like this. Fine, just wait and see."

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