“Damn it!” The professor kicked his table frustratingly after the call ended.His breathing was so heavy that Darren could hear it from outside.“What should I do now? Where will I get the money to settle Paul and take my daughter to the hospital?” his voice cracked with emotion.Darren couldn’t help but feel a wave of sadness for his lecturer. He understood too well the quiet helplessness that comes with having no money—when urgent needs remain unmet, not for lack of will, but for lack of means.But now that his life had completely turned around, he wouldn’t just fold his hands and watch. He was going to help Professor Gerald out.With that, Darren knocked on the door lightly and entered the office.Inside, he saw Professor Gerald pacing back and forth, covered in cold sweat, his hands folded behind his back. His necktie was off his collar and carelessly lying on the floor.When the man saw him, he looked away, trying to hide the emotions in his eyes. “What do you want?” he asked in

As Clara drew closer, Darren noticed the confident expression on her face. Every thirty seconds, she glanced at the envelope clutched tightly in her hand and grinned darkly.Darren instantly knew what was inside the envelope, as well as her intentions for visiting Professor Gerald’s office. He could only hope the man would stick to his word and turn her down.Not wanting her to see him, Darren stepped aside and retreated into a corner. The arrogant young lady walked past him and into the office without noticing his presence.Inside, Professor Gerald had just hung up from a call with his wife. Both excitement and relief settled in his chest. He had paid the landlord everything he owed and sent his wife money for their daughter’s surgery—and he still had a balance of fifty thousand dollars in his account. All of it was thanks to Darren.Clara stepped in and greeted the man politely.In his good mood, the professor returned her greeting warmly and gestured toward the seat across his desk

As Darren and Eddie continued to walk around in school, they heard more gossips regarding Clara’s attempted bribery. The issue was on the lips of all the chit-chatty on campus.Darren couldn’t help but manage a secret, satisfactory smile. He didn’t know how the students had managed to find out about the situation but he was a hundred percent sure it wasn’t from Clara. She would be too embarrassed to disclose something so humiliating to anyone.Speaking of Clara, the arrogant young lady was walking towards the secluded area where Darren had earlier overheard her discussing her evil plan with her boyfriend over the phone. But as she walked down the corridor, some female students where pointing fingers at her and whispering amongst themselves. But the moment she would turn her gaze towards them; they would immediately look away or force a cough and lower their gaze. Clara clenched her sides trying so hard to maintain her composure knowing fully well she was being gossiped. She usually

The students froze for a moment. All eyes in the space slowly drifted toward Clara.She was already pushing her way through the crowd. After checking her result and discovering she had failed all three courses, embarrassment washed over her, and she tried to escape the gathering as quickly as possible before anyone else noticed. Unfortunately for her, the busybody student had already realized it.On campus, Clara always claimed to be very connected, constantly bragging about having all the lecturers in her pocket. No one had ever imagined she would be the type to fail a course—much less three courses at once.“I can’t believe this!” one student shook her head disdainfully. “Clara walks around with Hermès, Chanel, and other expensive designers. But her brain is fake and cheap,” she snorted.“Clara? But how?” another chimed in, disbelief etched across her face. “She’s Adrian Blake’s girlfriend. Why didn’t Adrian pull some strings?” the student asked in a confused tone.“…”Different com

At that moment, Clara and her supporters had arrived at the administrative unit, headed towards the small hall.Meanwhile, inside, Mr. Frank rose from his seat and walked towards Darren. His face was no longer blank as usual, he flashed Darren a smug smile as he placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. Turning to face his colleagues, Mr. Frank announced in a firm tone, “Allow me to present to you the best performing student of the year. Ladies and gentlemen meet Darren Wayne!”Darren’s eyes lit with surprise. Both relief and excitement crashing into him at the same time. All this while, he thought he had maybe committed an offense and he was summoned here to be punished, but it was the complete opposite.Following Mr. Frank's announcement, the room exploded in applause —everyone in the small hall clapped proudly. “Congratulations Darren. For someone who has taught you every semester since first year and knows your background; how you run errands before coming for lectures. I must say