It was the day of the exhibit for the architecture major. There were architects from top firms coming and checking out each work, or at least the ones that were closest to their style, while the students explained their designs. Parents, friends, and also their professors were there to give their support like it was a science fair.

On the other hand, Oddey was at the campus garden with her best friend as they watched people getting inside the school to be in the events hall. "This must be big for Gage," Rita said.

"Yeah, it is. My Dad told me that he went through this when he was a student, and he told me how nervous he was," Oddey replied. "But lucky for him, he got an internship in China."

"That's so cool, I wish I could get an offer that big someday. But wait. Today, architects in the city will be coming. Hold on. Does that mean that your Dad will, too, since he is one?"

"Yup, but Mom is coming here to pick me up to drive home instead."

"Oh, thank goodness," Rita sighed in relief. "Right...?"

"Yup, I don't want Gage to find out my connection with the CEO of Magnum Tradings."

Little did they know, Courtney was behind them and heard their conversation. She gloated that Gage's little female friend had something to hide.

----

It was taken in the events hall of CarmU, and everyone was getting ready before the real architects came in. They placed their building model on a pedestal stand, even cleaned it up a bit, and practiced what they were going to say in front of their future bosses.

Gage was fixing a crooked tip of his Avant-garde design that he made. He even presented himself well by wearing a business casual outfit since that was the required attire for the exhibit.

"Alright, Students," a professor said to them as he stood in the middle to get their attention. "Firms from all over the city will be coming in thirty minutes, so make sure that you are ready with everything because this is where your future lies in this exhibit. Good luck, relax, and also enjoy while you're at it."

"Wow, that looks great, Gage," one of his classmates complimented.

"Thanks, you too," Gage replied and glanced at his fellow architect student's design. "Neo-Brutalism?"

"You got it."

"I knew it. Cool."

"Thanks. By the way, I heard Edgar Co Design is coming, I hope I can impress them," expressed the classmate. "Having an internship there would be a dream come true."

"Don't worry, you'll get it," Gage assured him.

"I heard Leon Magnum is coming. I hope I get an internship from him. His designs are so fantastic," another one interjected.

"Me too, I saw his website one time, but working with CASAS is still my number one firm to intern in."

Suddenly, his parents came in with all the other architect student's supportive families to see their kids jump-start their journey toward their goals. "Look, there's Gage," Marie said to her husband as they stood by the main entrance.

"Come on," Adrian said to her.

Not long after, the aspiring young architect student saw his folks among the crowd, "Mom! Dad!" he called out to them.

"Gage." Marie ran towards her son and hugged him.

"Hey, Dad, how are you?"

"Proud," his father replied with a big smile on his face. "How are you feeling?"

"I got to admit, I'm pretty nervous," Gage panted like he did when he was auditioning for Romeo with his palms getting all sweaty as well. "I hope those architects like my design."

His mother held her anxious child's face. "They will. Your model is amazing."

"Your mother is right. They'll be a fool not to think so," Adrian told him.

"Thanks, guys." Gage felt a little at ease.

About an hour into the exhibit, there were panels of architects who approached Gage to observe his design while his parents went around to check out other student's work and let him be. That was when Leon arrived in his best suit with his lovely executive assistant to accompany him.

"Ahem... they're here." Eva spotted the Munro couple from the distance. The CEO trembled in fury, seeing the two people who betrayed him. "Their son is an architect major. Are you going to be okay? You can go if you want."

Not long did Leon collect himself once he took a few deep breaths. "No. I'm good. You can go."

"Alright. Call me if you need anything." Eva left him to find his daughter.

"Mr. Magnum." The Dean approached him. "What a wonderful surprise that you're here. I'm Mr. Lance Somers, I am the dean of architecture here at Carmela University."

"I wasn't planning to, but I want to see the creativity and talent in this school with my own eyes," Leon replied.

"I assure you that there are a lot of that here."

"I can see that."

"But before looking around, is it alright with you to come up to the stage, and give these aspiring young architects here a few words of encouragement from one of the best Architects in the world?" 

"Gladly," Leon agreed.

The Dean went up the stage first and took a microphone. "Everyone, sorry for the interruption. We have a special guest with us tonight. I would like to welcome Leon Magnum!"

The students were thrilled to hear his name and applauded especially the Munro couple. Everyone had been talking about him while Leon walked towards the stage as the crowd made way for him until he got there.

Once the couple saw his face, it was like they were frozen in utter shock. Both of them gulped, became pale, and petrified to see the man they stabbed behind his back. "Oh my God, he looks just like him," Marie whispered to her husband as she clung tightly to his arms.

"He does. This can't be possible, I thought he should be dead, " Adrian mumbled in disbelief.

"What?" His wife strangely looked at him.

"Uhm... nothing." The frightened man pulled away from his wife to get away from being in the same room with that look-alike.

"Is that him...? Is that... Hal?" Marie asked with her voice shaking in fear.

"I don't know," Adrian stammered.

Seeing their stunned faces, Leon's anxiety washed away as if he was feeding from the Munro's horror instead. He wanted so badly to savour the moment longer, but he had a speech to say from the future architects in the expo.

"When I look around this room, I see a lot of talents here. Made me remember my days when I was in your position." Leon started talking. "But you know, it's not easy being where I am now. Along the way, I was stabbed in the back by the two people I trusted with my life."

Marie became uncomfortable with the speech. "Figuratively, of course," the man of the hour added. "That itself did not stop me. I worked very hard to build my company, while those two are history. So if I could get through all that, the you could get through anything what life throws at you. You know what they say, that success is the best revenge."

Everyone clapped their hands since they found his speech very inspirational, especially Gage. As for Adrian, hearing those good comments from other people about Leon made his blood boil.

----

Later, Leon wandered around the exhibit and would stop by each one to see the student's work as they impressed him. Meanwhile, Adrian quickly went to his son. "Gage," he said in a serious tone.

The guy noticed his father's odd behavior. "Dad, are you okay?"

"I'm fine. I'm fine... Listen to me. Don't apply for an internship with that man."

"Why?"

"Because that man is Hal Jacoby."

"What?" Gage was bowled over. "Are you sure?"

"Yes. Whatever you do, don't fall into his hand," Adrian warned him.

Marie scowled at her husband for giving such advice for their child. "Adrian," she grunted. "Stop it. You can't tell Gage what to do."

"I'm trying to protect him, Marie." The man turned to his son once again."Do as I say, son. He's no good."

The architect student gazed towards Leon who was busy looking at other student's work, then nodded in response to his father because he believed what he told him. "Okay, Dad. I won't," Gage said.

"Good."

"Sorry for interrupting." Speaking of the devil, who was standing in front of them that made the Munro family flinch. The CEO glanced at the young man, the product of his ex-wife's infidelity. "May I take a closer look at your model?"

Gage got all choked up while his father signaled him with his eyes to tell him to say no. "I uhm..."

"Is there a problem?" Leon questioned. He could tell that the family were tense from his presence.

"Mr. Magnum, I see you've met one of our most creative architect students." Mr. Somers appeared to them. "Have you seen his model up close?"

"I was about to," Leon replied, then turned to Gage. "May I?"

"I'm sure, Mr. Munro wouldn't mind, won't you?" The Dean said as he looked at Gage to signal him to present his model to Leon.

"No, of course not. Go right ahead," Gage answered reluctantly since he did not have a choice.

Adrian gestured to him that it was alright to let the man he loathed observe the design. "Your mother and I will be over there while you two talk."

"Sure, Dad."

Once the Gage's parents left, leaving their son with Leon. "Your parents seem supportive, aren't they?" the CEO remarked as he watched his ex-wife and her new husband left ubruptly.

Gage plastered a smile on his face. "They are."

"So, let's move on. Can you tell me about your design? It looks very promising."

"Sure," the architect student replied. "It is a neo-futurism tower inspired from fortified tower from the medieval ages."

Leon listened to the young man's explanation while began studying the model carefully. Once Gage finished his presentation, it was his turn to give some words. "Your design is very astounding," the man commented. "And, I can see that it is practical. You like to be contemporary and, at the same time, functional."

The architect student was stunned that Leon could read him like a book through his building model. "I do," he stuttered.

"Impressive. You are a talented architect."

"Well, I got it from my dad," Gage responded confidently.

The CEO's eyes dart towards him. "Is that so? Is he an architect?"

"He's an engineer."

"So, no. Personally, I don't rely on talent. Especially to those who believe it's in their genes," Leon remarked, which wiped off the young man's smirk on his face.  "I believe in hard work and that's you did with this model. Can I ask what firm you intend to apply to?"

"CASAS," Gage answered.

"That's a good one. What if I ask you to apply to my firm?"

"You want me to apply to your firm?" Gage lifted a brow.

"Certainly. If that's what you want?" Leon knew why the boy sounded so hesitant and confused."I can understand if you don't, but let me give you a piece of advice."

"Okay."

"Personal matters should not get involved. How will you pursue these paths if this is your mindset? I can see you have what it takes. It would be ashame when pride got in the way."

While the dean's became puzzled from the CEO's words of wisdom, the architect student knew what he meant.

Leon walked away to see what another student's created for the exhibit. "I hope you consider his offer. Great job, Mr. Munro," Mr. Somers said to his student.

"Thanks, Mr. Somers," Gage replied. He watched his professor follow Mr. Magnum, and he thought how kind he was to give him great feedback about his model than what his father portrayed him to be.