From Campus Trash To Tycoon

Chapter 5

Chapter Five

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

Her head snapped up. “Sir, the transaction already went through and it was certain that it's a stolen card.”

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

A murmur rippled through the store.

“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 lips curled in disgust. “This is embarrassing. How are you even entertaining this? Better find out now.”

Especia who had mocked Adrian earlier stood rigid behind the counter while ignoring the manager word, panic flickering behind her eyes had vanished, she had felt something was off with Adrian it was only a matter of time before they verify he's a fraud and she just couldn't wait for that moment but the manager believing Adrian made her blood boil. The younger salesgirl hovered near Adrian, visibly shaken, her hands clasped together as if bracing herself.

Adrian remained still.

Not because he was frozen.

Because he refused to move for them.

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

“Yes manager.”

Especia did not hesitate the second time. Her eyes darted to Jason, then back to the manager. She nodded before hurrying toward the back.

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

Adrian met his gaze calmly. “You should have minded your business.”

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,” she 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. “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 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 drained of color. “That is not possible.”

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

The manager threw a paper at her. “Get out of my way! You have never made important sales yet you think you can pursue my customers. You're fired!”

Especia didn't see that coming, she cralwed up to the manager. The manager slapped her and roared forcing her to retreat to the side on her knees with tears in her eyes. She stared at the floor, her face burning with regret. She clenched her fists, anger turning inward now.

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 peoplethey are, they were the kind of people that would stop at nothingbut 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!"

"This is unacceptable I'm from second generation wealth and you will insult…”

“Second generation wealth… not even first generation. Bunch of shit! I'm sure you haven't bought anything today yet humiliate someone like him. Leave at this instant both of you.” he snapped pointing towards the door.

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

The manager turned to Adrian. “Sir, on behalf of the store, I sincerely apologize for the treatment you received. This should not have happened.”

Adrian 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.”

Especia flinched.

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 doors closed behind them.

The store seemed to breathe again.

The manager gestured toward the counter. “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 at the gaze from the sales girl 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 dont 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 attuned with the pack, everyone will be thinking he's a delivery boy. So thought to tluse 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 then folded the receipt in his pocket.