From Campus Trash To Tycoon

Chapter 5

Chapter Five

The manager turned to the salesgirl. “Especia,” he said evenly. “Bring the card validator.”

Especia’s head snapped up, a smirk twitching on her lips. “Sir, why waste the energy? The transaction already went through and it was certain that it's a stolen card.”

“I am aware of your opinion,” the manager replied. “I want internal verification.”

A murmur rippled through the store. The wealthy clients moved closer, sensing the drama.

“He stole it,” Jason said again, pointing openly at Adrian. “There is no way that card belongs to him. Look at him,” he spoke to Mira loud enough for everyone to hear.

Mira folded her arms tightly, her eyes scanning Adrian with a look of profound nausea. “This is embarrassing. Honestly, Adrian, did you think a stolen card would make me come crawling back? All it’s doing is making you look like a low-life, a criminal, and a fool. Let’s just end this now.”

“Bring me the card validator.” the manager looked at Especia who was impatient to get to the root of everything.

“Yes manager.”

Especia didn't wait for a third command. She was impatient to see the handcuffs click. As she hurried toward the back, she shot a look at the younger salesgirl that said: Prepare your resignation.

Jason leaned closer to Adrian, lowering his voice just enough to feel intimate. “Now you're embarrassing yourself in this fancy store.”

He pulled back and said loud enough for everyone to hear. “Last chance, rat,” he hissed. “Kneel. Beg. Give me back the card and maybe I’ll tell the police you found it in the trash. Otherwise, you’re looking at ten years of a revoked scholarship, and a lifetime of misery.”

Adrian met his gaze with a terrifying calmness. “You should have minded your own business, Jason. Now, you’ve made it mine.”

Mira’s breath hitched. She had never heard Adrian speak like that before.

The younger salesgirl shifted beside him. “Sir,” she said quietly, “I am sorry for what happened earlier.”

Adrian glanced at her briefly. “It is not your fault.”

Her eyes widened slightly, as if she had not expected kindness.

Especia returned carrying a sleek device encased in black metal. The manager took it from her and turned to Adrian.

“Sir,” He said respectfully, “may I have the card again?” The manager was polite at first if Adrian was a default then he was definitely going to face the consequences.

Adrian sighed, pulled out the card and handed it over without hesitation.

Jason laughed sharply and gestured to Mark. “This is a waste of time. Why don’t we call the security and report the issue to the college authority.”

The manager ignored him. He inserted the card into the validator and tapped in a series of commands. The device hummed softly. Seconds stretched.

Everyone watched.

Mira’s nails dug into her palms.

Jason crossed his arms tighter, jaw clenched.

The device beeped.

The manager’s eyes scanned the screen. “What is your name sir?”

“Adrian Vale.” Adrian said.

Then his posture changed.

He straightened slightly and looked up at Adrian with new clarity.

“This card is valid,” the manager said. “Ownership confirmed.” Immediately he pulled out the black card and handed it over with both hands to Adrian.

Jason’s laugh came out harsh. “That proves nothing.”

The manager shook his head. “It proves everything. This card is registered to Adrian Vale. Biometric confirmation is attached. There is no record of fraud or theft.”

Mira’s face was drained of color. “That is not possible.”

Especia blinked her eyes in dismay. “Sir, are you sure you didn't make a mistake that this… person owns a black card.”

The manager looked at Jason, then at Especia. The realization of what he had almost allowed to happen hit him like a physical blow.

“Especia,” the manager said, his voice a low growl.

“Yes, sir? We’re calling the cops, right?” She was still smiling, still blind.

“Get out of my way! You have never made important sales yet you think you can pursue my customers. You’re fired,” the manager said. “And blacklisted. You will never sell so much as a toothpick in this city again.”

Especia didn't see that coming, she immediately fell to her knees and crawled up to the manager shattered. “Sir? But Jason said—”

SMACK.

The manager’s palm connected with Especia’s cheek with the force of a thunderclap. Her head snapped back as she hit the marble floor with tears in her eyes. She stared at the floor, her face burning with regret. She clenched her fists, anger turning inward now.

“You blind, arrogant, useless creature!” the manager roared. “You tried to insult a man who could buy this entire street and turn it into a parking lot for his boredom!”

The room fell silent.

Jason and Mira were caught in shock, unable to piece the puzzle together.

Jason shook his head, still not accepting the truth. From how they acted, the manager could tell the kind of people they are, they were the kind of people that would stop at nothing but to bully someone and put them into trouble they had ridiculed Adrian who was an esteemed customer of their store.

“You are wrong.” Jason said.

The manager met his gaze evenly. “I am not.”

The manager’s phone didn't just dial; he received an immediate callback from the Bank's Regional Director.

"Yes... yes, I'm looking at him," the manager whispered, his face turning ghostly white. He dropped the phone.

Jason smirked, thinking Adrian was caught. "Well? Is security taking him to the station, or should I call my father's lawyers to handle this thief?"

The manager didn't look at Jason. He walked toward Adrian and bowed ninety degrees, his forehead nearly touching the counter.

"Mr. Vale! Please forgive our blindness!" the manager cried. Then, he turned to the security guards, his voice trembling with rage. "Don't just stand there! Throw these two out! They are banned from every Cartier store in the country!"

Mira’s jaw dropped. "What? Do you know who Jason is?"

"I don't care if he's the Prince of England!" the manager shouted. "He just insulted the man who owns the very ground this store is built on!"

“You... you can’t talk to me like that. My father is Robert Whitmore. I am second-generation wealth!”

The manager turned on him, his eyes burning. “Second-generation? You’re not even first-generation! You’re a leech, a parasite, a spoiled brat living on your father’s crumbs! Mr. Vale just paid 2.8 million dollars like he was buying a candy bar. You haven't spent a cent today, yet you dare humiliate a Sovereign client? Get out!”

He gestured to the security guards. “Mark! Throw this trash into the street! If they ever step foot near a Cartier entrance again, use your weapon!”

For the first time, uncertainty crept into his expression as the direct customer eviction was issued.

The manager turned to Adrian. “Mr. Vale, on behalf of the store, I sincerely apologize for the treatment you received. I will accept any punishment. I was blind.”

Adrian picked up the box and nodded once. “Noted.”

The simplicity of his response carried more weight than anger ever could.

The manager turned to the sales staff. “This is unacceptable behavior,” he said firmly. “We will discuss this later.”

Outside Jason grabbed Mira’s arm. “We are leaving.”

Mira hesitated, eyes flicking toward Adrian one last time, searching for something she could not name. Then she let Jason pull her toward the door.

As they passed, the salesgirl who had mocked Adrian could not lift her head.

The manager gestured toward the counter. “Mr. Vale, your purchase will be completed immediately.”

The younger salesgirl moved quickly, hands steady now as she retrieved the velvet box. “Here you are,” she said softly. “Again, I am sorry.”

Adrian accepted the box and glanced at the time.

He was tired of the gaze from all the sales girls on him. He did not plan to flaunt his wealth like this, he only wished to become an ordinary man who did not have to worry about the huge sum in his account.

Outside the fancy store his phone vibrated.

He pulled it out and checked the call that came in, a smile curled up his lip as he quickly answered the call.

“You are late,” Lina said the moment he answered. “Did you get lost? Or is it because of what happened at Lukas' event the other time. That is why I decided not to invite him to my birthday. I promise him that I will deal with him. You don't have to care about any of that. You're my friend and never should you miss my birthday.” Adrian smiled softly, assuring her that he would be there.

“I was delayed,” Adrian replied. “I am on my way.”

“We are all waiting,” she teased. “Do not forget my gift.”

“I did not,” he said.

He killed the call and looked at the elegant box in his hand. It was flawless. Perfectly wrapped. Too loud in its luxury.

Adrian stepped out of the store and walked a short distance down the street. He stared at the fancy Cartier packaging from the store. He did not want all eyes to be gawking at him and besides his dressing doesn't match with the pack, everyone will be thinking he's a delivery boy. So he thought to use his common sense. He entered a small shop, bought a simple gift bag, and transferred the necklace himself.

He folded the receipt neatly. “I will be there in a moment.” he texted Lina, then folded the receipt in his pocket.