Investment System: Rise to the Top

CHAPTER 007

The brief silence did not last long because Todd was the first to speak. He straightened his body from the wall, both hands still in his pockets, his gaze relaxed yet sharp.

“Then,” he said lightly, as if merely offering a casual suggestion, “why don’t you be the one to show the evidence that you’re not guilty?”

His tone was calm, but it was clearly directed straight at Noah.

Instantly, Rico broke into a wide smile as if he had gained strong support, and quickly added, “That’s right. You said the same thing last night, didn’t you? You said you’d present evidence? Fine then, show it now if you’re telling the truth.”

He crossed his arms over his chest, his chin slightly raised in challenge.

“Don’t just talk.”

On the other side, Mr. Hogan let out a long sigh, then looked at the dean with an expression as if he were tired of dealing with Noah.

“Look, Dean,” he said in a pressing tone, “this is exactly how he is. He doesn’t respect others, he’s stubborn, and he still behaves like this even when he is clearly in the wrong.”

Rico chimed in, “Exactly, sir. He’s been like this since last night. Instead of admitting his mistake, he keeps blaming others and twisting things.”

“Someone like this really needs a clear punishment,” one of the roommates added.

Their voices overlapped, each reinforcing the same narrative, pressing Noah and shaping him as the one completely at fault in front of the dean.

Meanwhile, Todd fell silent again. He simply stood there with a faint expression, as if enjoying the direction the situation was taking.

Noah did not answer immediately. He listened to each of them, letting their words finish before finally speaking.

“I’m the one being accused,” he said quietly, but clearly. He lifted his gaze, looking directly at the dean.

“It is not my responsibility to prove that I’m innocent. The one who should present evidence is the accusing party.”

That statement caused several expressions to change, including the dean’s.

Without giving them a chance to interrupt, Noah continued, “Isn’t that right, Dean?”

His tone shifted slightly, becoming softer and more measured.

“You are in this position because of your wisdom. You must understand such a basic principle. A decision of this magnitude should be based on clear evidence, not just one-sided reports.”

His words were not loud, but they were enough to shake the atmosphere.

The dean narrowed his eyes slightly, looking at Noah with a complicated expression, but mostly irritation. When had his integrity been questioned like this? And by a second-year student who wasn’t even liked by many. Tsk.

Before he could respond, Todd spoke again.

“Then why don’t you just admit it? Rather than dragging this out. At least you still have a chance not to be expelled from campus.”

It sounded like advice, but it was clearly filled with pressure, forcing Noah to follow their will.

For a moment, Noah’s body tensed. The memory of last night in the small forest flashed in his mind, the pain, the insults, and Todd’s gaze, just like now.

But the system’s voice in his mind felt like an anchor, keeping him steady. Slowly, Noah’s expression returned to calm as he looked straight at Todd without avoiding him.

“If I were really wrong, I wouldn’t hesitate to admit it. But the problem is, I didn’t do anything.”

Their gazes met. For the first time, Noah did not look pressured.

“So why should I admit it?”

The atmosphere between them instantly tightened, something everyone could clearly feel.

“That’s enough! There’s no need to argue further.”

The dean’s voice cut through everything. He looked at them one by one with a cold expression. Closing the file in front of him slowly, he said firmly, “My decision is final. Noah, you will still receive the punishment.”

“I refuse.”

The words came out without hesitation. Noah’s fingers clenched on his knees as he slightly lifted his head.

Several people immediately showed different expressions, Rico smirked, one of his friends looked satisfied, while Mr. Hogan appeared annoyed.

Noah continued, his voice steady, “If evidence is required, I will present it. But not here, in front of all of you.”

“I will present it before the police.”

The words fell like thunder in the room. The dean’s eyebrows lifted slightly, and he immediately shouted in anger, “That’s not necessary!”

“This is an internal campus matter. There is no reason to involve the police. If you have evidence, then show it here. Now.”

“I still want to contact the police.”

Noah did not waver. His voice wasn’t loud, but it was firm.

The dean stared at him for a few seconds before his expression hardened. His voice lowered, but the anger within it was unmistakable.

“You are truly stubborn. Don’t make this situation worse!”

On the other side, Rico curled his lips into a satisfied smile, the more Noah angered the dean, the harsher his punishment would be. One of his friends looked at Noah with disgust.

Mr. Hogan shook his head slowly, as if disappointed. Todd remained silent, but his faint smile was meaningful.

Various gazes were directed at Noah, mocking, belittling, satisfied at seeing him cornered.

Yet Noah remained seated upright in his chair.

The dean’s gaze grew colder as he stared at Noah.

“If you continue to insist like this,” he said slowly, emphasizing each word, “then don’t blame me if the decision becomes even harsher.”

Mr. Hogan immediately added, “That’s right. You’ve been given a chance to resolve this properly, Noah. But if you remain stubborn, you won’t just be expelled from the dormitory.”

He paused briefly, looking Noah up and down.

“You will be completely expelled from the campus. Dishonorably.”

Noah lifted his gaze and looked directly at the dean.

“Then are you truly certain about this decision, Dean? Because if this matter spreads…”

He paused briefly, creating a deliberate gap.

“…that a dean does not give his student a chance to defend himself, and makes a decision based solely on one-sided reports… I don’t think that would be good for the campus’s reputation.”

The room froze instantly. But only for a moment.

“Enough! You do not need to teach me how to do my job.”

The dean’s face hardened, clearly displeased. He tapped his fingers on the desk.

“And don’t think threats like that will change my decision.”

Mr. Hogan immediately added, reinforcing the pressure.

“Dean, there have been too many reports about him. Not just last night. This has happened repeatedly.”

“Yes, Dean,” Rico added quickly. “Everyone knows what he’s like. Other students are already disturbed.”

Their voices overlapped again, building the same pressure as before. The dean let out a slow breath, then looked at Noah with a clear decision.

“My decision stands. If you do not accept it, then you may leave this campus entirely.”

Rico smiled in satisfaction. Mr. Hogan looked relieved. Even his two friends exchanged glances, as if everything was already settled.

Noah remained seated, unmoving, without any sign of anxiety.

Seconds passed slowly. Then a knock on the door suddenly broke the atmosphere, making everyone turn their heads.

“Come in,” the dean said shortly, his tone still cold.

The door opened, and a man entered quickly—the vice dean. His expression was serious, even slightly tense. He stopped near the desk and, without preamble, said,

“Dean… the police are here.”