Chapter 25
The crowd erupted in disbelief.
“Are you kidding me?”
“1.5 million dollars and guaranteed university admission? Am I dreaming?”
Dereck narrowed his eyes. He thought, “That smooth–talking pretty boy Isaac clearly comes prepared–with cash, no less!
‘So tacky.
‘What kind of future leader of society needs to flash money?‘
Dereck waddled up to Joanna, his oversized belly bumping Isaac out of the way as he squeezed in with a greasy smile.
“Nexcrest College? Please. They barely send a handful of students to Novaeon University every year–and they don’t even have guaranteed admissions. But at our school, the sky’s the limit. Top faculty, elite resources–whatever you need, we’ve got it.”
Isaac calmly held up the briefcase of cash, his expression serious.
“If you come to Nexcrest College, the entire school will prioritize your needs. Whatever you want, you’ll get. You think a genius like you needs support? We’ll become the support.
“No guaranteed admissions? If you join us, we’ll have them.
“Plus, our school is full of eye candy–handsome guys, beautiful girls. You’ll get to enjoy the sweet side of school love. Great for stress relief, great for your mental health.”
Dereck nearly exploded.
“You call that dump of a school ‘elite‘? And now you’re pushing teen romance? You absolute man–child!”
Isaac’s smile stiffened. He adjusted his cufflinks and shot back coldly, “You shady relic.”
Dereck grinned through his teeth.
“Pretty–boy scam artist.”
The two principals squared up, sleeves rolled, tension thick.
Dereck barked, “Let’s settle this with rock–paper–scissors. Loser backs off and leaves Joanna alone!”
Isaac rolled his sleeves methodically, his voice like ice.
“Rock–paper–scissors? What are you, five? Be a man–fight me.”
The crowd was stunned.
“Are we seriously watching this right now? The principals of two top schools–fighting over one student?”
These were respected men–usually polished and composed. Now they were yelling like fishwives in a market brawl. All over a girl.
1/2
Chapter 25
Even Aiden never caused this kind of chaos.
A single recommendation letter couldn’t have stirred all this. There had to be something more–something big–something they weren’t telling anyone.
But what?
Everyone’s eyes slowly shifted from the two feuding principals to the one girl in the center of it all: Joanna.
And what they saw only deepened the mystery. 1.5 million dollars in cash? A fast–track into top universities? Promises of full academic support?
She didn’t even blink. Joanna stood quietly, scrolling through her phone, as if everything happening around her had nothing to do with her. Her face was calm. Detached. Completely unbothered.
She stood in the middle of all the noise with an air of effortless grace–like she belonged in a different world.
Even Shannon felt something tighten in her chest. She thought, ‘Why hasn’t she looked up? What is she thinking?‘ Everyone was holding their breath.
“What does she want, then?”
“What will it take to impress her?”
“Who is she, really?”
“Is she texting Aiden? Maybe they’re talking about the offer… or even just trading notes on a research paper?”
“No way she’s this calm. She’s definitely bragging to her besties right now. Or flexing in her friend group.”
Finally, someone couldn’t take it anymore. Tiptoeing closer, they tried to sneak a peek at her phone screen.
And then–they saw it.
Joanna was texting someone.
Joanna: [I want a bitter coffee–flavored ice cream cone.]
She paused, then added: [Make it three.]
The student’s jaw dropped. His lips quivered.
He thought, ‘What… the hell? 1.5 million dollars and guaranteed admission, and she’s ordering ice cream?‘
Still frozen in disbelief, he looked up–only to meet Joanna’s gaze.
