From Campus Pauper To Billionaire King

Chapter 6

“Look! This is twenty four karat gold, and it weighs one hundred grams.”

A gasp moved across the table.

Someone quickly pulled out their phone and began tapping on the calculator.

“At today’s gold price… that’s over sixteen thousand dollars.”

Another wave of murmurs followed.

Ryan’s face hardened immediately.

“That’s impossible!” he snapped. “Where would a poor scholarship boy like Ethan that can't even afford three square meals see money to buy a sixteen-thousand-dollar jewelry?”

“But results don’t lie,” Alex said calmly, lifting the gold tester slightly.

Ryan scoffed loudly. “Your gold tester is fake. This loser here has nothing to offer.”

“Can you all just stop?” Zara said quickly, her voice firm now. “Whether it's fake or not, it's my gift and I love it like that. It's high time everyone minds their business. And hey, I didn’t invite you here, so don’t come here causing trouble.”

Ryan’s eyes darkened.

“Are you talking to me like this because of this loser? You should be happy I'm protecting you from collecting contentious things. Fake gifts from this pauper who is trying so hard to belong,” he continued mockingly. “Someone like you, from a prestigious home, deserves things of standard.”

Laura folded her arms and stepped forward.

“Even if this is real, I believe he stole it,” she said coldly. “We have been together before. Trust me when I say he can't afford this.”

She glanced at Ethan with open contempt.

“So you better check well before he lands you in prison.”

Everyone slowly looked at Ethan.

But Ethan simply sat there, leaning back slightly in his chair as if none of this concerned him.

James leaned closer to him and whispered under his breath.

“Bro… what is happening? Where did you even get something like that?”

Michael nodded quickly.

“Yeah man. We are on your side but this is getting serious.”

Ethan smiled faintly and spoke in a low tone. “I won a lottery.” 

They gasped in shock, “What?!”

“Keep it low guys.” Ethan added calmly. “I will explain later.”

Ryan suddenly laughed loudly.

“Oh! Now I see what’s happening.”

He clapped his hands slowly, drawing everyone's attention. “You stole it.”

Ryan pointed directly at Ethan.

“That’s the only explanation. A poor orphan suddenly showing up with a sixteen thousand dollars gold necklace? Don’t make me laugh.”

Laura nodded immediately.“That’s exactly what I said.”

 She turned to the crowd around the table.

“You people don't know him like I do.” 

Her lips curled with disgust. “He probably stole that necklace from one of the rich clients he runs errands for and is trying to act rich.”

Zara frowned deeply. “That’s enough Laura.”

But Laura ignored her.

She pulled out her phone.

“Maybe we should just call the police now before he escapes.”

The room instantly became tense.

Some students began whispering nervously.

James quickly stood up. “Hey! That’s going too far!”

Michael stood beside him.

“Yeah! You can't just accuse someone like that without proof.”

Ryan laughed again. “Oh please. You two are just defending your poor friend because you share the same miserable hostel.”

He leaned forward toward Ethan.

“So tell us, errand boy…”

His voice dropped into a mocking whisper.

“Where did you steal it from?”

Silence fell across the table again.

Everyone waited for Ethan to react.

But Ethan slowly picked up his glass of water and took a calm sip.

Then he placed the glass back on the table.

Ryan’s brows furrowed.“You think this is funny?”

Ethan finally looked up at him. His eyes were calm.

“Are you done?” Ethan asked quietly.

Ryan blinked. “What?”

“Are you done talking?”

Ryan slammed his hand hard on the table.

“You dare talk to me like that?”

Laura scoffed. “Look at him acting bold after stealing jewelry.”

But Ethan ignored both of them.

Instead, he turned his gaze to Alex.

“Are you done testing it?”

Alex nodded slowly.

“Yes. The result is clear. It’s authentic.”

Ryan’s face darkened again.“No. I still don't believe it.”

Laura stepped forward again. “Neither do I.”

She pointed at Ethan.

“Call the police. Let them investigate where he got it from.”

Zara shook her head immediately.

“This is my birthday party! Not a courtroom! I'm still taking things lightly with you Ryan because of our families’ relationship, if not I would have had you thrown out already.”

But Ryan had already pulled out his phone. “Relax Zara. If he didn’t steal it, then he has nothing to fear.”

James turned to Ethan nervously.

“Bro… say something.”

But Ethan simply leaned back in his chair again.

A small smile appeared on his lips.

Ryan dialed the number and put the phone to his ear.

“Yes… hello. I want to report a stolen item.”

The noise had begun drawing attention from other tables.

Some customers looked uncomfortable.

One of the attendants quietly walked away and reported the disturbance to the manager.

A few moments later, a well-dressed woman approached their table.

“What's going on here?” She asked.

Zara stood up immediately “Oh we are very sorry, ma'am. It's just a little misunderstanding.”

Ryan cut in immediately. “We are handling the case of a thief here, not a misunderstanding.”

The manager’s eyes moved between them. “And who is the thief?”

Ryan and Laura pointed at the same time. “That's him right there. He stole a very expensive piece of jewelry and claims he bought it.”

The manager turned to Ethan. “Sir, is that true?” 

Ethan calmly slipped his hand into his pocket and brought something out. It was a folded receipt. He stretched his hand toward the manager.

“This is the receipt of the item they claim I stole.”

The manager took it.

But before she could examine it properly, Celeb spoke.

“Ma’am, don’t be deceived by that.”

He folded his arms.

“In as much as I hate to admit it, that boy right there…” He pointed at Ethan.

“Is very smart. Smart enough to forge a receipt.”

Some people nodded uncertainly. Celeb smirked.

“His intelligence couldn't make him rich, so he chose stealing instead.”

The manager studied the receipt carefully.

Then she looked up.

“Before we conclude anything,” she said slowly, “we will need to verify this with the store the jewelry was purchased from.”

Ryan smiled proudly. “Good. He folded his arms. “Let's see how he will escape this time around.”

“Would you like to tell us anything Mr Ethan or should we go ahead and verify it?”

“Go ahead please.” Ethan said with confidence.