After the intense events of the modelling competition, the atmosphere in the auditorium remained charged for a long time. Students were still whispering about Alicia, about the contracts, about the celebrities, about the humiliation Clara had suffered. It was the only thing anyone could talk about.Eventually, Dr. Maurice returned to the stage and adjusted the microphone.“Alright, everyone,” he announced, clapping his hands once. “We will take a two-hour break. Use the time to rest, eat, and prepare yourselves. When we return, we will continue with the next competition.”The students slowly began to file out of the auditorium in groups, still talking excitedly.After two hours, when the students returned, the atmosphere in the auditorium had changed again.This time, a thick, heavy table had been placed at the center of the stage. Its legs were wide and solid, clearly built to withstand serious force. Two sturdy chairs were placed on opposite sides of it.The moment Adrian and the bo

The next morning at exactly 8 a.m., the school field was already buzzing with energyStudents gathered around the field in groups, some stretching, some laughing, some already arguing about which team would win.Both teams were dressed in sportswear. Jerseys, shorts, boots. Some looked like professional players. Others looked like they had never kicked a ball in their lives.Adrian’s group stood together on one side of the field. Most of them were tall, muscular, and athletic. They looked like a real team. Adrian stood in the middle of them, dressed in a goalkeeper’s outfit, his gloves hanging from one hand. He leaned in slightly and began whispering to them. His teammates formed a tight circle around him.From a distance, Darren watched them.He couldn’t hear what Adrian was saying, but judging from their expressions, it was either strategy… or he was bragging as usual, telling them they were going to win. What he spoke aloud was that, “I promise you we are going to win this match w

Eddie slowly shook his head, leaning back in his chair with a calm but firm expression.“It’s not me,” he said, his tone steady. “I already donated. Everyone here knows that.”His words caused a ripple through the group. Several students exchanged glances, confusion spreading across their faces.Eddie folded his arms and continued, his brows knitting slightly. “In fact… only four people in our group didn’t donate at all. So if anything, it should be one of them.”Jacob, who had been staring at him with a confused frown, suddenly scoffed. He straightened up and ran a hand through his hair in disbelief.“One of them?” he repeated, his voice rising slightly. “Are you serious right now?”He let out a short, humorless laugh and shook his head.“There’s no way,” Jacob said firmly. “I can swear on it. Those four are the poorest students in this class. They can’t afford two thousand dollars… talk less of one hundred and sixty thousand.”As he spoke, his tone became sharper, more contemptuous.

The students were already leaving the hall in small groups, their voices echoing across the corridor as they discussed the quiz, possible questions, and who would win.Darren was just about to step out of the hall when someone blocked his path.Adrian.Adrian stood there with his hands in his pockets, his posture relaxed, but the smirk on his face said otherwise. His expensive wristwatch glinted under the hallway lights as he tilted his head slightly and looked at Darren.“So,” Adrian said casually, “I heard you’re one of the people representing Jacob’s group.”Darren looked at him quietly but didn’t respond.Adrian leaned slightly closer and lowered his voice. “Just make sure you don’t go doing your delivery work tomorrow morning and forget about the quiz by 9 a.m.”Darren’s eyes narrowed slightly, but his face remained calm.Adrian continued, his tone now cunning, his eyes glinting with something dark. “You remember what Dr. Maurice said, right? If someone comes late… even one minut

Hearing him, Eddie frowned and said in an annoyed tone, “Why are you speaking like you are certain Jacob will not show up? There are still five minutes left before 9 a.m.”“Oh really?” Adrian tucked his hands into his pockets and let out a low laugh. He tilted his head slightly, looking at Eddie like he had just heard something amusing.“Five minutes?” Adrian repeated, then chuckled again. “You really think he’s going to show up?”Eddie knitted his brows.Adrian’s lips curled into a confident smirk.“I’ll tell you what,” Adrian said, stepping closer. “If Jacob shows up before 9 a.m…” He paused, then smiled wider. “I’ll give you one hundred thousand dollars.”The students close enough to hear them gasped.“Did he just say 100k?”“Is he serious?”Adrian nodded confidently, the smugness on his face almost unbearable.“Yes. One hundred thousand dollars,” he said. “That’s how sure I am.”Darren, who had been quietly listening and observing Adrian, narrowed his eyes slightly. Unlike everyon