One class after another went by, and Ethan kept his full focus on the lessons.
"Even if I have more money than I can spend, and I don't ever need a job, I still won't let anyone take my place," he thought.
Ethan was actually the top student of his class. This was his second year in university, and across the last three semesters, he had always held the first position.
If it had been someone else with the same grades and the same looks, just backed by a little money or family influence, they would already be treated like a campus celebrity. But Ethan was different. Because of his poor background and his part-time job as a pizza delivery boy, no one cared about him. Especially the girls.
Sarah's harsh words kept coming back to him. But deep down, he knew she wasn't that different from most of the people. "If you have money, you exist. If you don't, you're nothing but a shadow... like you don't even exist."
These thoughts swirled in his head as the classes continued.
Finally, after three lectures, the bell rang. Break time.
At once, the classroom came alive. Everyone started packing up their desks. Laughter and chatter filled the air as students hurried out. Some went straight to the cafeteria. Some couples slipped away to quiet places where others wouldn't go.
Ethan also gathered his things and got ready to leave with Foggy. But just then...
A peon walked over and called out, "Ethan, the VC has called you. He's waiting in his office."
The sudden message startled Ethan. Foggy too was surprised.
"Why? Do you know the reason?" Ethan asked.
The peon gave a tired smile. "Come on, boys. Do you think I'm that important to know such things?"
"Maybe something happened? Or maybe he just wants to give you a scholarship or something," Foggy guessed.
"Who knows? Let's see," Ethan muttered and followed the peon.
"I'll wait for you in the café," Foggy called from behind.
Ethan raised his hand in reply, letting him know he understood.
The two of them walked down the corridor and soon reached the Vice-Chancellor's office.
Ethan knocked lightly on the door. "Sir, it's Ethan Wolfe. May I come in?"
"Come in," came the calm voice of an elderly man from inside.
Ethan pushed the door open and stepped in.
The office was neatly arranged. Four lights stood in the corners, though they weren't needed with the daylight already brightening the room. Bookshelves lined both sides of the door. A flower pot sat by the window. A soft carpet covered the floor, and a medium-sized desk stacked with files stood at the center, all neatly placed.
A man in his mid-fifties sat behind the desk.
As soon as Ethan entered, the man pointed at a chair. "Sit down, Ethan."
Ethan pulled a chair back and sat down carefully. After all, he was in front of the Vice-Chancellor.
A few moments passed, but the VC said nothing. His face looked troubled. Finally he took a long breath and asked, "How are your mother and sister? Are they doing okay?" The VC knew Ethan well because of his strong grades.
"They're fine, sir. My sister is all right. My mother is still in a coma, but the hospital is looking after her," Ethan replied politely.
"Good," the VC said. He wanted to say more but hesitated. Ethan could clearly see the worry in his eyes.
After a while VC spoke again. "Ethan, you're a bright student. You'll do great things in the future, but…" He stopped.
Ethan felt the tension in the room. He kept quiet and waited.
"I know this will sound harsh, Ethan, but I have to dismiss you from the university."
The words hit Ethan like a bomb.
"What? Why, sir? Did I do something wrong?" Ethan asked, panicked.
"Have you somehow angered the Wyke family?" the VC asked.
That name jolted Ethan. He knew exactly what it meant. Lucas Wyke, Sarah's new bf.
"I had some trouble with Lucas Wyke, sir," Ethan said.
"So that's it," the VC sighed. "You may not know, but Lucas's father is one of the university's major trustees. He just called me a hour ago and demanded your suspension. My hands are tied, Ethan. This university runs on donations like Wyke's. If I go against him, my own chair will shake. Maybe you can speak to Lucas and fix this? If he drops it, I won't have to do this." The VC's voice was full of pain.
"That bastard again!" Ethan cursed inside. Anger boiled up, but then an idea struck him.
"Sir, how much money do you need to be a trustee? How much did Lucas's father give?" Suddenly Ethan asked.
"Why are you asking?" the VC replied, surprised. He didn't expect that question.
"It's important sir." Ethan replied calmly.
"At least a billion, I think. Lucas's father donated ten billion and he is one of the major ones" the VC said.
"So if someone pays more than that, their word would carry more weight, right?" Ethan asked.
"Of course," the VC answered, still puzzled. He didn't know why Ethan was asking these irrelevant things. "Shouldn't he be more concerned about his career?" He thought.
Then Ethan dropped his own bomb. "Sir, I want to become a trustee too. I'll pay twenty billion. If I do that, I won't have any problem staying here, right?"
For a moment there was a silence.
And then...
The VC jumped in his chair. "Ethan, are you joking? I thought you were a serious young man. How can you take your VC so lightly to say such silly things in front him?"
Ethan stood up and faced him. "I'm serious, sir. My father left us a large inheritance. I invested some of it and it grew. You don't need to worry."
Ethan was lying. He couldn't explain such wealth; that would bring trouble later.
"Your father left wealth? You can pay twenty billion? Do you even hear yourself? You work as a pizza delivery boy!" the VC said, disbelieving.
But when he looked into Ethan's eyes, something made him hesitate. Ethan did not look like he was joking. Inside, Ethan burned with rage. He wanted that degree and he wanted revenge. "I'll teach that shameless bastard a serious lesson," he promised himself quietly.
The VC still looked confused. But pushing his doubts aside, he asked, "When would you like to transfer the money?" He wanted to see if Ethan was playing a prank.
"Now," Ethan answered firmly.
"What? Now?" The VC swallowed hard, surprised.
"Yes," Ethan said again.
The VC opened his laptop and logged into the university's bank account. He went to the deposit page and typed in twenty billion. Then he pushed the laptop toward Ethan, watching him closely. He was curious. He wanted to know if Ethan was serious.
Ethan pulled a card from his wallet. He read the engraved number once, then typed it into the card field on the laptop. He pressed Enter.
Two sounds rang at the same time.
The laptop beeped, "Payment complete."
And a small panel appeared in Ethan's mind with a soft ding.
[Host: Ethan Wolf]
[Used Amount: 20,000,000,000]
[Balance: $9999979899995160]
[Body: 15
Mind: 28
Skill: None
EP: 201]