From Campus Pauper To Billionaire King

Chapter 5

Daniel picked up his phone from the table and dialed a number.

“Hello. This is Daniel Wilson speaking. Revoke Ethan Carter’s expulsion immediately. He is to remain enrolled with full privileges. Effective now.”

There was silence on the other end.

“Yes. I expect confirmation within minutes.”

He ended the call calmly and placed the phone back on the table.

Few minutes later, Ethan’s phone buzzed.

He picked it up casually and froze.

The email reads “Expulsion Notice Revoked. We sincerely apologize for the administrative error. Your expulsion has been canceled. You are hereby reinstated with full academic privileges effective immediately.

Ethan blinked. His lips parted slightly.

His hands trembled just a little.

He read it again and again.

His eyes slowly lifted to Daniel.

“You… did this?”

Daniel’s expression softened.

“Yes. And I am sorry I was not there to protect you from everything you suffered all these years,” he said quietly. “But I am here now. And I will make things right. You don’t need to worry anymore.”

Ethan swallowed hard. He felt like something heavy was lifted off his chest.

He stood up and embraced him.

It felt strange but safe.

Yet behind that relief, he hasn't forgotten Ryan and Laura who did him dirty.

The next day, a sleek black car pulled up in front of Westbridge University.

Students turned. Whispers followed immediately.

“Isn’t that the errand boy?”

“I thought he was expelled?”

“Why did he come out of such car?”

Ethan stepped out calmly, adjusted his sleeve slightly and walked past them without a glance.

When he got to his hostel building, the door wasn't locked and his items were still intact.

James and Michael rushed toward him.

“Bro! You got us worried!” Michael exclaimed. “We've been trying to reach you but to no avail.”

James added quickly, “They threw your stuff out after twenty-four hours of momentum they gave you. We’re shocked your room is this arranged.”

Ethan gave them a small, knowing smile.

“I’m fine.”

They exchanged glances. To them, Ethan was acting so strange.

“By the way,” Michael said excitedly, “Zara invited us to her birthday party tonight. She said you can come, that no bullies are coming. So it’s safe.”

Ethan let out a small laugh.

“Bullies or no bullies… I’m showing up for her.”

They both blinked, surprised by the confidence in his tone. “Wow” that's all that could fall off their mouths.

When it was time, they drove to the location in James' car.

The venue was an upscale rooftop lounge called The Velvet Garden — dim golden lights, soft music playing in the background, city skyline glowing beyond the glass panels.

Zara had reserved a semi-private corner section for close friends.

A long buffet table stood at one side filled with grilled steak, herb chicken, creamy pasta, shrimp Alfredo, Jollof rice and spicy wings. On the table, there were different kinds of drink and wine. Everything looked perfect. 

Ethan, James and Michael hugged Zara warmly. “Happy birthday.”

She air-kissed him and smiled brightly. “Thank you! Food is over there. Take whatever you like and come sit.”

They served themselves and joined the table. Waving to the other people seated.

Conversations were going. People ate, drank and laughed. Then the entrance door opened.

Celeb, Ryan and Laura walked in with their usual group of friends trailing behind. Heads turned. Whispers followed. Ethan kept his eyes on his plate, fork moving steadily. He did not look up. They came straight to the table.

Ryan grabbed Ethan’s glass of wine and poured the drink directly over his shirt.

“Oops,” he said mockingly. “Didn’t see you there, errand boy.”

Laughter erupted. Phones came out instantly, ready to capture the humiliation.

Laura folded her arms, amused.

Zara stood up immediately. “Ryan, this is not the place for this foolish act of yours. Apologize to him now.”

Ryan scoffed loudly. “Apologize? To this loser? You must be joking.”

“Then get out!” Zara snapped. “This is my birthday.”

Laura rolled her eyes. “You’re getting angry over him? Seriously?”

“Yes,” Zara replied firmly. “And it’s time you all go.”

The room fell silent.

Celeb tried to calm things down. “Come on, Zara. It’s your birthday. Don’t cause drama over trash.”

Ryan laughed again. “Let’s celebrate!”

All eyes shifted to Ethan.

He slowly placed his fork down, picked up a napkin and wiped the drink from his face calmly.

No anger. No shouting. Just silence.

Then he stood up. Zara hurried after him.

“Ethan! Wait! Are you leaving?” He didn’t answer immediately.

Instead, he stepped outside the lounge.

He pulled out his phone and dialed a number. It was picked up instantly.

“Young Master.”

“Lukas,” Ethan said calmly, “bring me a new outfit to the Velvet Garden. Something sharp.”

“Yes, sir.”

“And stop by Cartier. Get a twenty four karat gold necklace. The finest piece available. It’s a birthday gift.”

“Understood. I’ll be there in fifteen minutes.”

Ethan ended the call. But Zara was still standing by the door side.

“I thought you were leaving.”

He turned slowly. “Why would I leave my friend’s birthday because of people who don’t matter? Just go inside, I will join you shortly.”

Her eyes widened slightly.

Inside the lounge, Ryan laughed loudly again. “See? He ran away as usual.”

A few minutes later, Lukas arrived exactly as promised.

He handed Ethan the clothes bag and the small box of jewelry.

Ethan nodded once. “Wait here.”

He walked toward the restroom close to the outer hallway. The music inside was still loud, laughter spilling through the doors.

He stared at his reflection in the mirror for a brief second.

The soaked shirt. The humiliation.

Then he calmly took it off.

From the bag, he pulled out a perfectly tailored charcoal suit. The fabric alone spoke wealth. He changed unhurriedly, adjusting the cuffs, smoothing the jacket over his shoulders.

He picked up the gift bag and walked back inside.

The moment he stepped in, conversations paused.

Ryan’s laughter died halfway.

Laura blinked. James almost dropped his fork.

“Wait… he changed?” someone whispered.

Ryan smirked again, trying to recover. “Oh wow. He came with spare clothes. Guess you were expecting us.” His group laughed.

Ethan walked back to the table as if nothing had happened. He adjusted his watch slightly and looked at Ryan with mild amusement.

“If I expected you,” he said calmly, “I would have prepared something better.”

The laughter around them faded.

Then Ethan turned to Zara and handed her the gift bag.

“Happy birthday. I hope you like it.”

She opened it slowly.

Gasps filled the table when she saw the velvet jewelry box.

Her hands trembled as she opened it fully.

Inside lay a stunning twenty four karat gold necklace, shimmering under the golden lights of the lounge.

“Oh my God…” She whispered, her eyes widening. “This is beautiful.

She held it up carefully and placed it around her neck, lifting her phone camera to admire it from different angles.

For a moment, there was silence.

“Wow, that looks expensive.” James said, glancing at Micheal.

Laura rolled her eyes and folded her arms. “Oh come off it. That’s obviously fake.

Even if he saved for two years, he still wouldn’t be able to afford something like that.”

A low murmur spread across the table.

Someone from the far end spoke up. 

“Actually, I came with a gold tester. That will settle the doubt.” He stretched out his hand. “Let me see it, Zara.”

Zara hesitated, touching the necklace on her neck instinctively.

“I honestly don’t care whether it’s fake or real,” she said, “It’s the thought that counts. So you guys should just—”

“Just give it to him,” Ethan cut in calmly. “It’s fine.”

Zara slowly turned to look at him, searching his face as if asking him if he's sure.

Ethan simply nodded.

Ryan leaned back in his chair with a smirk forming on his lips. Laura’s eyes glittered with anticipation. Several phones quietly came out again, ready to capture whatever humiliation they expected next.

Zara swallowed.

After a moment of hesitation, she carefully unclasped the necklace and handed it over.

Alex took it, already pulling out the small gold testing device from his pocket.

Everyone leaned in.

The tension in the air was so thick it felt like the entire room had stopped breathing.

But Ethan looked completely relaxed and unbothered.