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THE REJECTED GENIUS 12
Chapter 12 Everywhere was quiet.Then another sound—a soft shuffle of feet, deliberate but hesitant, like someone unsure if they should be there. My heart threatened to burst from my chest."Who's there?" I asked again, my voice raspier now, weaker. I felt cold and clammy, and I wasn’t sure if it was from fear or blood loss.My body ached, and my eyes felt sore too. There was another pause, followed by a whisper. “Adrian?”I blinked, trying to focus through the darkness. That voice—familiar but distorted.“Tessa?” I croaked.A soft hand touched my arm, and I recoiled instantly, but then she knelt beside me, cupping my face with trembling fingers. “God, Adrian, what did they do to you?” Her voice broke.I didn’t know if I was hallucinating or if she was truly there, but at that moment, I didn’t care. “You… you came. Were you here all this while?” Tessa gulped down the saliva at the back of her throat. “I told you not to go to the manor alone,” she muttered, her voice sharp with ang
THE REJECTED GENIUS 13
Chapter 13I stared back at Nathan and looked at Tessa. “ Let me handle this,” I said slowly moving her backward.“ You can walk away, Nathan, or this can go south,” I said, clenching my fist in anger.Nathan looked at me and let out a shriek of laughter. “I don't think a man in your state should be giving empty threats,” he said, looking at me. I could feel my knees shaking, hitting each other, and my heart thumping. I said a silent prayer wishing and hoping someone would sweep in and save the day. “ Grab them!” Nathan shouted at his minions. Jack and some of the students ran towards us, but then I heard the pathway door open frantically. “ I would step back if I were you,” the voice said with anger. I raised my hand slowly, trying to block the flashlight that was making my eyes burn. “ And who the hell are you?” Nathan said back with a smirk on his face. “ Someone who is going to teach you a lesson that you will never forget.” The voice said back. Before I knew what was happ
THE REJECTED GENIUS 14
Chapter 14 “ You have what most of the guys at Northvale University wanted,” Leonard said, adjusting his glasses. I stirred gently on the bed I was seated on. “ And what do I have that most guys want?” I furrowed my eyebrows. “ Tessa Davenport. She is the key to taking Nathan down. All you have to do is know how to use it.” Leonard said again. “ I don't understand. I dated Tessa because she was Nathan's ex-girlfriend. He stole my girl, and I stole his too. That was the plan.” I said back. “ Well, I think you have envisioned well, but you don't understand what power she holds. Her family is well-to-do, and not only that but there is also a connection between both families. Tessa is meant to marry Nathan no matter how many suitors are lined up at her back.” There was silence in the room. I had never thought of getting married to Tessa. We struck an agreement mainly to take down Nathan. Why would she join hands with me when she knew this? Or was she trying to play me too?“ No,
THE REJECTED GENIUS 15
Chapter 15The school went on with their daily activities like nothing had happened. No one knew about what happened at the manor. I don't even think anyone knows of its existence aside from Nathan and some well-off kids. “ Are you ready to do this?” Park looked at my face. “ You know you can actually listen to Leo and stay for some days at the mansion till your wounds are healed.” “Aren't you here to protect me?” I looked up to meet Park's gaze. “ Don't tell me you are also scared of him,” I added “ I am only concerned about your safety, Master Hayes. I think it would be best if you took things slow and let Mr Leonard do the digging for Nathan and his family. You need something concrete to fight him if you are going to win. I think it is high time we move past this boyish fight.” Park said, grabbing me by my wheelchair. “ Did you just call my fight with Nathan? Boyish?” I said with an irritated voice. “ I would have lectured you about what happened to me, but since you were in t
THE REJECTED GENIUS 16
Chapter 16 Immediately after we left the class, I noticed Nathan was nowhere to be found. My mind was finally at peace, but then I looked up to see Tessa walking towards me. I frowned at her seeing the smile she was putting on. This was the girl I had believed was different from Sophia. I remembered what Leonard had told me. She was the one holding the key to all of this. I knew she was a necessary evil that I needed by my side. “ How are you feeling now?” Tessa asked with a smile. “ I am fine. I woke up, and you were gone?” I said, wheeling myself through the hallway. It was not new anymore. Many of the students knew about us already. “ Yes, I needed to get home fast. I don't want my homies to be worried about me.” Tessa said immediately, avoiding my gaze. “ So, what now?” I asked, trying to open a new conversation. “ You should be the one telling me that is the next course of action because the main reason I said yes to the arrangement is simply that you are going to take do
THE REJECTED GENIUS 17
Chapter 17 “ You don't stand a chance against Nathan; I would advise you to give up and just know your place,” Jessica said, looking at me again. “ I don't need you to tell me what to do, Jessica. The last time I remembered, you were in cahoots with Nathan about killing me. Isn't it?” I stared into her eyes. “ Did she tell you I told her that you were getting your ass kicked? I saved you for your information, Adrian. You wouldn't be here if not for me.” Jessica said boldly, shaking her figure-eight round buttocks before Adrian. “ Yeah, she did. After you waited to see my ass being kicked to the ground a lot of times. Remind me why you are doing this again if you think I was completely useless.” I stared at her. “ I don't know what you have in mind, but I am advising you to give up, Adrian Hayes. Give up while you still can. And maybe, just maybe, I would be glad to give you a chance and a bite at this.” Jessica said, smirking, at her fleshy buttocks. “ You can leave, Jessica. I h
THE REJECTED GENIUS 18
Chapter 18The smell of sweat and worn-out leather filled the underground gym as I stared at the punching bag in front of me. I could feel myself getting better by the day, but then I needed a real fight. I need someone to vent my anger on. It had been three days since my conversation with Park, and every muscle in my body screamed with the effort he was putting me through."You call that a punch?" Park's voice rang out like a whip crack behind me. "Again, Adrian! And mean it this time! Get it right, bro!” He yelled from the back. Sometimes, the way he shouts at me lashes at me. I wonder if we were mates, that I forget myself and sometimes call him master. I clenched my fists, drew in a sharp breath, and launched a right hook into the bag hard enough to send it swinging. My knuckles throbbed through the wraps, but I didn’t stop. I was learning not just to fight, but to dominate.My knuckles were sore from the continuous training and I didn't even have time to rest. Park circled m
THE REJECTED GENIUS 19
CHAPTER 19The following day was a whirlwind of noise, coupled with the fact that the students were anticipating the fight of the semester. I felt nervous, and it felt like I was walking on eggshells around the whole school. Everywhere I turned, I could see their gaze, their stares and it was getting to me. “ You need to focus more on yourself and stop bothering what they think of you.” I looked back and I saw Tessa. I let out a sigh. “ Do you think I can win?” I stood still looking at her. “Don't think before you tell me the answer,” I added. “ I must say, Adrian. I was quite surprised when you took down Carlos Deaton. You didn't only smash him but you created a new record for yourself and I think Nathan should be scared of you. I think you should believe more in yourself.” The word was comforting, but then, I had never seen him fight. Head had the upper hand. He had seen my move and how I had knocked Carlos out. I knew I needed to be quick on my feet if I was going to win.“ Yo
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Chapter 44The morning sun flutters through the curtain. I stirred lazily on the bed. I remembered what happened and immediately signed towards my cell phone.The call rang for a few minutes before one of the guards picked it up. “ Where the hell are you? Did you not hear that I called?” I barked. “ Tell me Leo is alright?” I asked. My heart slammed hard against my chest.The line remained static and then I heard him. His croaky gentle voice. “ Ain't you supposed to be at school, Mr Hayes?” Leonard said from the end of the phone.I sigh, a wave of relief washing over me. “ I needed to make sure you were safe. Do I need to come down to the hospital?” I said immediately hitting the shower.“ Of course not, I believe the men here are more than capable of their duties. Get to school and study.” Leo replied. I was about to hang up the call when I remembered what Leonard said the other night. I decided to ask him. “ What do you mean by what you said the other night?”“ What I said? What did
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Chapter 43I still don't understand what Leo meant by what he said. I don't have any enemies. Nathan was the only one who I had my eyes on, and I was going to make him pay for what he did. But what did Leo mean by what he said? I got outside the hospital with a look of anxiety clearly visible to me. “ Are you alright?” Park asked. “ Is Leo good too?” I wasn't myself. I nodded and took a seat. My mind replays what happened earlier. “ We need to be alert now. I don't know what my father had gotten himself into, but I think they might be coming for me.” “ Who? Is there something you are not telling me?” Park asked, his gaze landing on me. “ I don't know, buddy. I think Leo is not showing all the chess boards to me. I believe he is hiding something.” I replied. “ Well, we have time to prepare for whatever is coming, and you, my friend, need to stay focused,” Park said, hitting my chest with his hands. His phone rang, making me wonder who was talking to him. “ I will be back,” Park s
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Chapter 42It was taking forever, I looked at Park who was fast asleep. He was looking tired so I decided not to wake him. I have a lot I wanted to ask Leo, a lot to tell him and probably ask him if it was a good idea to fall in love with Zee. I watched and was surprised to see so many of the doctors busy with one patient or the other. I marveled at the work they did and wondered if I could ever find myself working as a doctor to save lives. The fluorescent hummed each time I paced up and down. I have never prayed for anything in my entire life. I don't believe in the existence of God.But tonight, I prayed. Clenching my hands in a prayer mode. I knelt down on the tiles and closed my eyes. I said just one word which I believe God was going to listen to. “ Oh God heal him. I know I don't believe in you but please.” I said, opening my eyes at the loud noise I heard coming from the theatre room. I saw one of the nurses coming out. “ Talk to me. Is he alright?” I asked anxiously. Par
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Chapter 41 I got home feeling tired and worn out. I met most of the staff busy with their duties when I noticed Leo was nowhere to be found. My footsteps echoed gently as I walked towards the last room in the building. Leonard liked being alone after working late into the night. I remember he had asked me to come down to the organization to meet a few staff members, but he suddenly stopped talking about it. I wondered if everything was fine with him, but as I got closer to his room, I could hear his shallow breathing. “ Leo?” I called out slowly. The room was dark, so I tried to find the switch. The light illuminated the dark room, and I met Leo unconsciously lying on the bed with his eyes shut. “ Leo!” I shouted, rushing to the bed. I yanked his body a few times, but then I saw blood sputtering out of his mouth. I yelled for help while most of the guards rushed into the room. “ Call me an ambulance! Call me 911!” I yelled, grabbing Leo. I don't know where I got the adrenaline
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Chapter 40The words hit me like tidal waves and I couldn't believe I was falling for Zee. It was just a strategy. Something to keep me distracted. I looked at the tape Jessica gave to me and wondered if it was the real stuff.I haven't checked it for quite some time now but I need to know if it was what I needed. I tossed it into my drawer with the thought of looking it up when I came back.My mind drifted back to Leo’s question for a moment.Did I like Zee?It sounded absurd when said aloud, but I couldn't shake off the lingering feeling that clung to me like a second skin. Maybe it wasn’t love. Maybe it was just the thrill—the temptation of being wanted, especially after how much rejection I had tasted lately.I adjusted my shirt collar in the mirror, trying not to overthink it. Tonight wasn’t about love. It was about strategy. About winning back my dignity and making Tessa see what she had thrown away.It was about control.Grabbing my car keys off the table, I gave Leo a wink. “D
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Chapter 39I lay back on my bed, staring at the ceiling. I had tried calling Tessa a few times, but she was not picking up. I knew I had created a bad impression of myself. It was obvious the Davenports hated me by now, but I needed to create another chance for myself.Another opportunity to redeem myself. I remember Mr. Clinton had talked about sponsoring a group of students at the university. If I could help him with the sponsor, then I knew it was a start.I looked at the video I was holding, and I knew it could change a lot of things for me. But first I was going to make a fool out of Nathan and Tessa; I was going to make her jealous, and she would wish she would come back to me.First, I need to make my move. I got up from the bed, entered into the bathroom, and had a clean shave. I was going to call Zee and take her out for dinner.That was a brilliant plan. I didn't even care if it was reckless or if I wasn't thinking it through. I needed to show Tessa it was all about the cont
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Chapter 38“ And what is this that you are trying to do?” Nathan snapped at me, stopping me halfway.“ Back off. You know by now that Sophia is mine!” Nathan said angrily. I let out a laugh that made many of the students wonder if I was going nuts.“ Really? Why don't you tell the whole students how you tried to have Tessa raped and how you have been double dating. I guess Sophia is a fool if she decides to stick with someone like you.”Sophia looked at Nathan, “ I saw what happened. One thing is certain, Adrian would never try to have anyone raped. He has never done it when we were together and I don't think he is going to try now.”“Oh really, I can see that you are now defending the idiot.” Nathan scowled at her. “ Why don't you go back to being his girlfriend? You both are going to make a fine couple.” Nathan jested.“ Did he hurt you?” I asked, staring at her neck. I could see that her neck was bruised the minute Nathan tried to hold my hands. “ Can you leave? I am going to come
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Chapter 37The school bubbled over with what happened at Davenport's home. I needed to save face, but Tessa did not give me the listening ears that I needed.“ Do you think she is avoiding me?” I asked, staring at Park. “ I don't know, Adrian. I think you both need to sort that out again. Why don't you use this opportunity to bring Sophia back into the game? Tell her she was a side chick all along and Nathan has eyes on the ultimate prize.”“ And what is the ultimate price?” I asked with my eyebrows arched a bit. “ Do I need to spell it out for you, Adrian? Honestly, you need to start leveling games with Nathan. He thinks he is smart, but he is not. You need to let him see that.”“ Did you hear that Adrian tried to rape Tessa?” One of the students asked.“ What? I thought they were dating. Why?”“ I guess Tessa had been playing games with him all along. If I were Adrian, I would be angry as well.”I clenched my fist in anger as the whispering started getting louder. “ We need to do so
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Chapter 36Nathan fell to the ground with a loud thud, his head hitting the marble floor with a crack that echoed through the hall. Tessa was backed into the wall, her eyes wide with shock and fear, her dress slightly torn at the shoulder.“Adrian?” Her voice trembled.I turned to her immediately, my eyes scanning her face, and her arms, searching for any more signs of harm. “Are you okay?” I asked, my voice barely concealing the rage boiling inside me.Tessa nodded shakily, but I could tell she was anything but fine.Park rushed in just a second later, his eyes flicking from Nathan’s crumpled body to Tessa and then to me. “What the hell happened here?” he asked.Nathan groaned, trying to sit up, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.“He tried to hurt her,” I spat. “He pushed her. Cornered her. I heard her scream.”“You’ve lost your damn mind,” Nathan snarled, wiping the blood with his sleeve. “She was the one being dramatic.”Tessa stepped forward then, her voice stronger tha
