Investment System: Rise to the Top

CHAPTER 006

Noah frowned, then shifted his gaze to the screen. He clicked the notification and examined it.

It was an investment opportunity. The description was tempting, but in times like these, scams were everywhere, especially from such unclear notifications.

He didn’t trust it and was about to close the page. But before he could act further, the system’s voice sounded again.

[Opportunity detected.]

[Recommendation: take it.]

Noah raised an eyebrow slightly and asked, “Why?”

There was no long explanation or complex analysis. The system replied:

[This is initial assistance provided to a new host. Please take it and it will show good results within a few hours.]

Noah stared at the screen for a few seconds. There was a countdown there, he knew that once it reached zero, there would be no second chance.

The money he had now was around one hundred thousand dollars.

The capital given by the system, currently in his bank card. If it failed, he would have nothing left except a few dollars from before.

The room remained silent. Only the soft breathing of his roommates who had begun to fall asleep could be heard.

Noah’s fingers moved slightly over the touchpad, paused for a moment, then he took a short breath.

“If not now… then when?”

Without further hesitation, he clicked. All the funds he had were invested into it.

…

The next morning, Noah woke up a little later than usual. His body still ached; the remnants of last night’s beating hadn’t completely disappeared despite the system’s recovery ability, but it was far better than before.

Even so, some parts of his body still bore marks that looked quite alarming.

Without much thought, Noah tidied himself up as best as he could and headed out toward the campus cafeteria.

The cafeteria was already quite crowded. The sound of chatter mixed with the clinking of spoons and plates. Noah bought a few simple dishes and found a seat in the corner.

He sat alone, but that didn’t mean people would let him eat in peace.

“Hey, that’s him, right? The one who caused a scene in the dorm yesterday.”

A low voice came from a nearby table. Noah didn’t even turn his head; he kept eating, his spoon moving steadily.

“Yeah, the one who supposedly beat up his roommate.”

“Tsk, not just that. I heard he even talked back to Mr. Hogan. So disrespectful.”

A few people chuckled softly, whispering and sharing gossip they had heard.

“Well, I’m not surprised. He’s always been arrogant. He used to be rich, after all. What could possibly scare him? Mr. Hogan is nothing to him.”

“Huh? Rich? Didn’t he get kicked out of the Bennett family? He’s not even their biological son.”

“Yeah, yeah. Now he’s just an orphan. Poor too. Probably poorer than us.”

“You know what’s worse? I heard he’s jealous of the real son the Bennett family found, so he keeps trying to frame him.”

The spoon in Noah’s hand paused for a moment, then moved again as if nothing had happened. Even though anger burned inside him, because it was clearly Brian who had framed him, he had no evidence to show anyone.

And even if he did, it wouldn’t change anything right now. At this moment, he was just a poor nobody with no one backing him.

“Seriously, what can he even do without the Bennett family? He’ll probably get expelled soon anyway.”

“Of course. Tuition here is expensive. How’s he going to pay? He doesn’t even have achievements. Scholarship? Dream on.”

This time, Noah stopped. Slowly, he lifted his head and looked at them. His food was finished. He stood up, carrying his tray and the leftover wrappers.

His steps were calm as he walked toward their table. Several people fell silent the moment they noticed him. Just as he was about to pass them, Noah paused briefly.

Without turning his head, he said shortly, “I can.”

His voice was flat, but clear enough to be heard, creating a few seconds of silence.

One of them turned quickly.

“Huh? Was that… him?”

Noah had already turned to leave, but the voice came again, louder this time, filled with mockery.

“Hey! Know your place! What can you do? Without the Bennett family, you’re nothing!”

Others began to chime in.

“Still acting high and mighty. You’ve already fallen, and you still don’t realize it.”

The atmosphere began to heat up. Judgmental gazes focused on a single point.

But suddenly, hurried footsteps were heard. A student ran over, slightly out of breath. Everyone’s attention immediately shifted to him.

“No—Noah!”

He stopped in front of Noah.

“The Dean… the Dean is calling you to his office right now.”

Several people exchanged looks, then faint smiles appeared.

Noah only looked at him briefly.

“Alright,” he replied shortly. “I’ll go now.”

Without waiting for any reaction, he walked away without hesitation.

But as his back disappeared, whispers rose again.

“See? The Dean’s calling him. He’s definitely getting punished. Might even get expelled.”

“Serves him right.”

Mocking laughter followed, but Noah didn’t stop until he reached the dean’s office door.

He raised his hand and knocked.

“Come in.” The voice from inside was calm, yet authoritative.

Noah opened the door and stepped inside. As the door closed behind him, his gaze swept across the room.

Behind a large desk, the dean sat with a neutral expression. To the side stood Mr. Hogan. Not far from him, Rico and his two roommates stood with barely concealed satisfaction on their faces.

But Noah’s eyes paused for a moment on Todd. The man leaned casually against the wall, both hands in his pockets.

When their gazes met, the corner of Todd’s lips lifted into a faint, meaningful smirk.

Noah took a quiet breath.

“You’re here.”

The dean’s voice broke the silence. Noah shifted his gaze.

“Sit.”

Noah gave a short nod, walked to the chair in front of the desk, and sat down with a straight back.

The dean opened a file in front of him and spoke without preamble. His tone was calm, but every word carried weight.

“I have received reports regarding your actions last night. Causing a disturbance in the dormitory, fighting with fellow students, and showing disrespect toward the supervisor.”

He lifted his gaze and looked directly at Noah.

“The reports didn’t come from just one or two people. There are many.”

At the side, Rico curled his lips into a faint smile. Mr. Hogan’s expression was stern, as if everything said was absolute truth.

“Based on that, I have decided that you are to be expelled from the dormitory starting today. And temporarily, you are suspended from academic activities.”

Noah’s fingers resting on his thigh tightened slightly. A faint tremor ran through them, but his face remained calm.

A few seconds passed before he spoke.

“I don’t mind.”

The reaction in the room shifted the moment they heard his calm response.

Rico raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised. One of his friends smiled broadly, as if thinking Noah had already given up. Meanwhile, Mr. Hogan looked satisfied.

Todd merely narrowed his eyes, his smile deepening.

Even the dean frowned slightly.

But before anyone could speak again, Noah lifted his gaze, looking at each person in the room one by one, then continued,

“I don’t mind the punishment… as long as there is evidence.”

Their expressions changed.

“Evidence that what they reported is true… or false.”

The words fell like a stone into still water, and the ripples spread instantly.