His father, spineless as ever, never once spoke up in his defense.

Family gatherings were just as bad. His cousins swarmed around the wealthier relatives like bees around honey, always hunting for favors and fortunes. Nobody talked to Alex—except for Maria, the family’s cook. She would slip him a big slice of chocolate cake and remind him that he mattered.

But there was one person who truly saw Alex: his grandfather. A self-made man who valued honesty over status, Grandpa never judged Alex for his thrift store jeans or messy ponytail. They’d sit on the porch drinking lemonade, talking about life, stars, and practical jokes. Grandpa had a favorite saying: “The best revenge is living well… and maybe playing a smart trick now and then.”

When Grandpa