From Campus Trash To Tycoon

Chapter 8

Chapter Eight

“You don’t need to prove anything,” Lina said quickly, her voice sharp. “This is my birthday. I didn’t invite you here to start trouble.”

Lucas smiled lazily. “Relax. I’m just asking. If it’s real, there’s nothing to hide. Adrian should be ashamed to buy fake things, you're from a prestigious family and stuff like this ruins your reputation. Shouldn't you be thanking me for opening your eyes.”

Adrian looked at the necklace again. He had spent 2.5 million and all it earned him was ridicule, he had always prayed to be rich but now he's rich he didn't feel much different rather he was ridiculed and considered a moron. Thinking about it alone made him feel drowsy, he could prove it. Easily.

But that wasn’t the point.

The point was that Lucas wanted a show. Wanted him to perform. Wanted him to scramble, to overexplain, to beg credibility. Adrian pushed his chair back without saying much.

Erica’s sneer was practically permanent. "Show us the evidence, Adrian. Or are you going to tell us you found it on the street?"

Adrian didn't look angry. He looked bored. He slowly reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, high-quality envelope. He didn't throw it; he placed it gently on the table.

"The authenticity certificate. And the invoice," Adrian said.

Lukas snatched it up, laughing. "Let's see this high-quality printer paper—"

His voice died.

The paper wasn't standard. It was heavy, cream-colored vellum with the raised, holographic seal of the Cartier Flagship Store.

Erica leaned in, her eyes widening as she read the numbers. $2,800,000.00.

"This... this is a forgery," she whispered, her voice trembling. "It has to be."

"Call the store," Adrian suggested, his voice cold as ice. "Tell them Adrian Vale is holding the 'Star of the Ocean' sapphire. See what they say."

“I need some air,” he said calmly.

Lina turned immediately. “Adrian, wait. At least you should have a bite of the cake. You brought a gift and I value it.

”Since it’s a knockoff, why don’t we throw it away?” Erica said. “The cleaners might mistake it for something valuable. That would suit people who deserve such gifts.”

Lina's eyes flared, she had tolerated Erica because they had grown up together, because of years of friendship. She had never seen this side of her before, initially she thought it was because she was angry at her for not telling her everything about Adrian but the real reason she didn't tell her was because something is meant to get figured out along the way.

“Enough,” Lina snapped. “Give it back to me. Fake or not, it’s my gift, and I’ll do whatever I want with it.”

Adrian was already moving.

The lounge doors swung closed behind him, muffling the chatter. The hallway outside was quieter, lined with polished marble and soft lights. Adrian took a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding.

Footsteps rushed behind him.

“Adrian.”

Lina caught up, her heels clicking sharply. She stepped in front of him, eyes tight with frustration and guilt.

“I’m so sorry,” she said quickly. “I didn’t invite Lucas. I swear. I don’t know why he came. He always does this. He ruins things and then pretends it’s a joke.”

Adrian shook his head. “It’s fine. Enjoy yourself here. Seriously, I have something to do. I'm not deceiving you.”

“No, it’s not.” Her voice wavered. “He humiliated you. He always does. And I let him walk in like nothing.”

“You didn’t,” Adrian said. “You stood up for me.”

However Lina tried to persuade him but it was all to no avail.

She searched his face. “Then why did you leave?”

Before he could answer, his phone vibrated in his pocket. He quickly pulled it out to answer.

The name on the screen made his fingers still.

Sister.

“I need to take this,” he said.

Lina nodded, stepping aside. “I’ll wait.”

Adrian turned away and answered.

“Did you enjoy yourself?” his sister’s voice came through, light, teasing.

He smiled faintly. “You always call at the worst times.”

“That means it’s a good time,” she replied. “So. How did you spend the money, oh! well part of the money don't tell me you didn't get yourself fancy stuff?”

He exhaled slowly. “I bought Lina a necklace.”

“Of course you did.” A pause. “Did she like it?”

“She did.”

Another pause. Longer.

“And the people around her?”

Adrian leaned against the wall. “They think it’s fake.”

His sister laughed amused and Sharp.

“Let me guess. Someone said it out loud.”

“Lucas.”

“Ah.” Her tone changed. “The one who keeps poking you like it’s a game.”

“Yes.” Silence stretched between them.

“You know,” she said slowly, “people like that don’t stop because you ignore them. They stop when the game stops being funny.”

Adrian’s jaw tightened.

“He humiliated me,” he said quietly. “In public. Again. Like it was entertainment.”

Emily kept quite on the other end of the call Instead, she said, “Where are you right now?”

“I’m outside enjoying the fresh breeze.”

“Good,” she said. “Adrian, why don’t you help me with something?”

He straightened as he began wondering what it might be.

“I opened a new Vista Hotel,” she continued. “Not far from you. High end. Clean. Quiet. I need someone I trust to look over a few contracts. Make amendments. Sign off on renovations.”

Adrian frowned. “Why me?”

“Because you're my brother and I opened it on our names so it's basically our company since you're a co-owner,” she said simply.

Adrain hesitated. He can recall how many awesome things he had encountered today to top it he's not just inherited his family wealth but also a co-owner of the same luxury hotel he had stood and admired several times.

“Adrian are you even there?”

“You… I mean we owned Vista Hotel, the same luxury hotel that every elite flood into.” he quickly thought back. “Well I'm not even dressed.”

She laughed . “So am I most days. Go there. Tonight. Walk in like you belong. Because you do.”

He closed his eyes briefly. And after connecting the dots in his head he wondered if their family owned the city and the kind of influence they had.

“When you reach Vista hotel, look for Chase Goodman, he's the manager. I've informed him of your arrival beforehand. He's been on my neck at least once he sees you. I'd be able to swallow my food in peace.”

The call ended.

Adrian stared at his phone still processing what his sister had said.

Inside, laughter echoed faintly through the walls. Lucas was probably still talking. Still enjoying himself.

Adrian looked at the exit.

Then he walked towards the road and boarded a cab, some of Luka's friends who came out for fresh air saw Adrian boarding a cab and shouted towards him mocking him although he didn't even respond to their harsh words the shock his sister gave him was enough to numb his feelings.

"Look at him! Running away in a cheap cab!" one of Lukas's friends jeered from the balcony, tossing a cigarette butt toward the street. "Go back to your dorm, scholarship boy! The invoice was probably fake too!"

Adrian didn't even turn his head.

He leaned back against the worn seat of the taxi, his eyes fixed on the glowing neon sign of the Vista Hotel in the distance. He wasn't running away. He was going to claim his throne.

As the cab pulled away, a notification chirped on his phone: Transfer from Cruisers Tech Global: $50,000,000 (Corporate Expense Account).

Adrian smiled. The game was no longer funny. It was over.