THE ORPHAN WHO INHERITED BILLIONS

CHAPTER 8

Alexander walked across campus toward the sports complex, his mind still processing the events with Daniel. The afternoon sun cast long shadows across the manicured lawns as students hurried between classes, most giving him curious glances after the morning's library incident.

The sports complex was buzzing with activity. Tennis courts, outdoor fitness areas, and jogging tracks were filled with students taking advantage of the perfect weather. Alexander spotted Sophia near the outdoor gymnasium, but something else caught his attention first.

Three middle-aged men in casual clothing were positioned strategically around the women's fitness area, each holding professional cameras with telephoto lenses. They were being incredibly discrete, hiding behind trees and equipment, but Alexander's angle gave him a clear view of their activities.

His stomach churned as he watched them zoom in on female students doing yoga stretches and cardio exercises. The women had no idea they were being photographed in their athletic wear.

Alexander approached the closest photographer, a balding man in his forties wearing a baseball cap and sunglasses.

"Excuse me," Alexander said firmly. "What exactly are you doing?"

The man nearly dropped his camera in surprise. "Oh, uh, just taking some nature photos. You know, campus scenery."

"Campus scenery that involves zooming in on women's bodies?" Alexander's voice carried clearly, and several students nearby turned to look.

The photographer's face flushed red. "I don't know what you're talking about, kid."

"I know exactly what you're talking about," Alexander said loudly enough for others to hear. "You're taking inappropriate photos of female students without their consent."

The other two photographers heard the commotion and began packing up their equipment quickly. Students started gathering around to see what was happening.

"Look, kid," the first photographer said nervously, "mind your own business. We're not doing anything illegal."

"Maybe not illegal, but definitely disgusting," Alexander replied. "How much?"

"How much what?"

"How much for your cameras and all the photos you've taken today?" Alexander pulled out his phone and opened his banking app. "I'll buy everything right now."

The three men exchanged glances. The second photographer, a heavyset man with a beard, laughed nervously.

"Kid, these cameras cost thousands of dollars each. You can't afford—"

"$30,000," Alexander interrupted. "For all three cameras and every single photo and video file you've taken. Right now."

The men stared at him in shock. Students who had gathered to watch were equally amazed.

"You're serious?" the bearded man asked.

"Dead serious." Alexander showed them his phone screen with his account balance. "Transfer the money right now, or I call campus security and show them exactly what you've been photographing."

The threat of exposure combined with the substantial payout was too tempting. Within minutes, the transaction was complete, and Alexander had possession of all three cameras and watched as the men deleted their cloud backups.

"Delete everything," Alexander commanded. "Every file, every backup, every copy."

The men complied, clearly eager to take their money and leave. As they walked away, several female students approached Alexander.

"Oh my God, thank you so much," said a girl from his economics class. "I had no idea those creeps were taking pictures."

"That was amazing," another student added. "I can't believe you spent your own money to protect us."

Sophia appeared beside him, her eyes shining with admiration. "Alexander, that was incredibly brave. And generous."

Alexander felt genuinely good for the first time in days. Finally, his newfound wealth had been used for something truly worthwhile.

"It was the right thing to do," he said simply.

But his satisfaction was short-lived.

The next morning, Alexander woke to his roommate Joseph shaking him urgently.

"Dude, you need to see this," Joseph said, his face pale. "Someone put up posters all over campus."

Alexander sat up groggily. "Posters about what?"

Joseph handed him a printed flyer that made Alexander's blood run cold. The poster featured a grainy photo of Alexander holding one of the cameras, with bold text that read:

WARNING: PERVERT ON CAMPUS Alexander Rivera has been caught secretly photographing female students during exercise. He spent $30,000 on professional equipment to take inappropriate photos. STAY AWAY from this dangerous individual. Report any suspicious behavior to campus security immediately.

"This is insane," Alexander whispered, staring at the poster in disbelief. "This makes it look like I was the one taking the photos."

"I know, man," Joseph said sympathetically. "But they're everywhere. The whole campus has seen them."

Alexander threw on clothes and rushed outside. Indeed, the malicious posters were taped to every bulletin board, lamp post, and building entrance. Students were gathering around them, reading with disgust and pointing at Alexander when they saw him.

"That's him," he heard someone whisper. "The pervert with the cameras."

"Disgusting. How is he even allowed on campus?"

Alexander's phone buzzed with a text from Frank Collins: Tennis court. NOW. We need to talk.

When Alexander arrived at the tennis courts, he found Frank surrounded by at least twenty students, both male and female. Their expressions ranged from disgust to outright hostility.

"There he is," Frank announced loudly. "The campus photographer."

"Frank, this is all a lie," Alexander said desperately. "I was protecting those girls, not photographing them."

"Right," Frank scoffed. "That's why you spent $30,000 on camera equipment?"

"I bought the cameras from the real perverts to protect the photos from being distributed!" Alexander protested.

A girl named Rebecca Martinez stepped forward, her face twisted with revulsion. "You're absolutely disgusting, Alexander. Taking secret photos of women exercising? What kind of sick pervert does that?"

"I didn't take any photos!" Alexander shouted. "I stopped the guys who were taking photos!"

"Then why do you have the cameras?" demanded another student. "Why would you spend that much money unless you wanted the photos for yourself?"

"Because I was protecting you!" Alexander's voice cracked with frustration.

Frank shook his head dismissively. "Dude, nobody believes that bullshit story. Rich perverts always have elaborate excuses when they get caught."

"Rich perverts?" Rebecca laughed harshly. "This loser isn't rich. He probably stole that money or borrowed it from loan sharks just to feed his disgusting fetish."

The crowd murmured agreement. Alexander felt like he was drowning in their accusations and hatred.

"You make me sick," said another female student, Jessica Wong. "Women can't even exercise safely because of creeps like you. You should be expelled and arrested."

"Please," Alexander begged, "just listen to me. I was trying to help—"

"Help yourself to private photos, you mean," Frank interrupted. "God, Alexander, I always knew you were weird, but this is a new low even for you."

That's when Alexander saw Sophia approaching with a group of her friends. His heart leaped with hope – surely she would defend him, tell everyone what really happened.

"Sophia!" Alexander called out. "Tell them the truth! You saw what really happened yesterday!"

Sophia stopped walking, her face conflicted. Her friends immediately began whispering urgently in her ear.

"Sophia, don't go near him," one of her friends said loudly. "He's dangerous."

"Yeah," another added. "Who knows what kind of photos he has of you?"

Sophia looked at Alexander with something that broke his heart – not disgust, but fear and social pressure.

"Alexander," she said quietly, "I... I think you should stay away from me for a while."

The words hit him like a physical blow. "Sophia, you know I would never—"

"I don't know anything anymore," Sophia said, her voice barely audible. "The evidence is pretty clear, and my friends are scared."

"Your friends are idiots!" Alexander shouted, his composure finally cracking. "And you're a coward for listening to them instead of thinking for yourself!"

The crowd gasped at his outburst. Frank stepped forward aggressively.

"Don't you dare talk to her like that, you perverted freak," Frank snarled. "Maybe spending a few days in the hospital will teach you some respect."

But before Frank could make good on his threat, Alexander was already walking away, his shoulders shaking with rage and heartbreak.

Behind him, he could hear the continued whispers and accusations.

"He's completely unhinged."

"Dangerous and perverted."

"Someone should call the police."

As Alexander disappeared around the corner of the sports complex, he realized that his act of heroism had been twisted into his greatest humiliation yet. Whoever had created those posters knew exactly how to weaponize his good deed against him.

The isolation was complete now. Even Sophia, the one person who had shown him genuine kindness, had abandoned him under social pressure.

For the first time since inheriting Lorenzo's fortune, Alexander wondered if all the money in the world could ever repair the damage that had been done to his reputation and his heart.