From Teardrops To Billions

CHAPTER 8

“He’s a loser and a brokie, sir! He shouldn’t even be allowed in this college!” Dave shouted.

After a series of tough questioning, Mr. Donald finally let Nathan go.

Being a smart kid, he was able to answer all of the professors' questions. This made Dave heat up, but Nathan didn’t care. He was feeling on top of the world. At this point, he could literally buy the whole of Luxton university and it wouldn’t cost him anything.

From time to time, he would exchange glances with Amanda. He honestly loved her and he had always thought she felt the same. They never kissed, not even once. But Nathan was okay with it. The thought of just having one of the campus beauties as his girlfriend was more than enough for him.

But he learned in a painful way that she was just a gold digger who would follow any man with money.

If only she had stayed with him, her life would have been better.

He shut his eyes in slight pain for Amanda and disgust for Dave. He was going to make sure they paid dearly. Everyone in this school will pay dearly for making fun of a lowly boy with no parents.

They don’t know him, son. They’re about to. And when they do, it will be breathtaking and vengeful! It will be epic and Amanda will regret it dearly.

After Professor Donald’s class, all the senior year students were asked to meet in the announcement hall.

A charity organisation had just come to the school and gave a few inspiring speeches about how they are trying to save trees and plants from being completely destroyed from planet earth.

As a way of showing support and learning to give, all the students in Luxton university were asked to make contributions to support the program.

Many students were moved and made donations silently. Others used that as a means to show off what they own.

And Dave?

As soon as he stepped out, everyone cheered him. He was like a god in Luxton university. He was well respected –because he was a rich dude- and so everyone knew his donation would be worth more than all other donations put together.

“I am a nature lover and I do respect this movement.” Dave began speaking. He made sure his presence was felt as he raised his shoulder and motioned his arms as he spoke.

“My lovely girlfriend and I have decided to make a donation of $2 million!” At the call of that figure, the whole students burst into applause. Everyone stood up to show their respect for the school’s hottest dude!

“I know, I know, it’s a lot of money. But we come from nature. So, we have to give back to nature! So, I hope my donations would go a long way for your movement!” Dave said and got off the stage.

Nathan's eyes met Dave's confident gaze, and for a moment, he felt a surge of anger and resentment.

Dave's pompous display of wealth and popularity grated on his nerves, especially knowing that Amanda was by his side, basking in his glory.

But Nathan quickly pushed aside his negative emotions. He was no longer the same boy who was bullied and ridiculed. He was a billionaire now, with the power to make a real difference in the world.

As Dave stepped off the stage, Nathan rose from his seat, his jaw set with determination. Ignoring the whispers and chuckles from his classmates, he made his way to the front of the hall, where the charity organisers were waiting to receive donations.

"I would like to make a donation as well," Nathan announced, his voice steady and resolute.

He reached into his pocket and pulled out his Exclusive Bank Card, ready to transfer a significant sum to support the cause.

“What is he doing?”

“The poor boy wants to make a donation? When he can’t afford to buy proper clothes?”

“Is he crazy? He wants to embarrass himself even more?”

“Let’s see what happens!”

But as he tried to input the amount, a strange error message flashed on the screen.

“Card Error!”

Nathan frowned in confusion and tried again, but the same message appeared.

“Card Error!”

"What's going on?" Nathan muttered under his breath, feeling a knot of frustration forming in his stomach. He glanced up, and his heart sank as he saw the smirks and snickers of his classmates, including Dave and Amanda.

Marcus and Neil were the only ones who frowned as they also felt embarrassment for their friend.

"Looks like the poor boy's out of luck," Dave sneered, loud enough for everyone to hear. "Maybe he should stick to counting his pennies instead of pretending to be generous."

The taunts and laughter echoed in Nathan's ears, but he refused to back down. He quickly slid back his card into his pocket in shame before anyone would get to see that he was holding an exclusive card. It would have been worse.

Clenching his jaw, he turned to the charity organisers and spoke with quiet determination.

"Something seems to be wrong with my card, but I'll make sure to arrange the donation later. Please, let me know how I can contribute in other ways," Nathan said, his voice unwavering despite the humiliation burning in his chest.

As he walked away from the stage, Nathan felt a mixture of anger and embarrassment coursing through him. He didn’t understand what was going on!

He had intended on making a donation of up to 7 million dollars. Deep down, he loved nature and despised the idea of trees being cut down and not replaced.

But at this moment, he couldn’t even raise his head, for shame that everyone would laugh at him.

As the event ended, Nathan began to walk away. He was going to call Fred and ask him what the problem was and maybe even query him for deceiving him.

Was this all just some big joke? Was he being lied to? And if not, then what really happened?