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THE REJECTED GENIUS 27
Chapter 27The silence that followed the Dean’s collapse was unlike anything I had ever experienced. It was like time froze, the world paused, and all you could hear was the thump of the Dean’s body hitting the ground and the collective gasp of everyone around. Damien charged towards us. I could see him fuming angrily, and I knew he was coming straight at Park. I stood in the middle before he got to us, and then without minding, his blow connected to my jaw. The students gasped again, making me stagger backward. “ This is going to be a great show.” One of the students murmured.“Dean!” a female student screamed, her voice cracking through the tension like lightning. Without being told, I knew we were in a mess, but first I needed to calm Damien down.As much as the blow hurt, I knew I could not claim to be in the right spot. Park was my guard, and he was just trying to protect me, but then it was now a messy show. “ I am going to make sure you are expelled, Park. If anything happen
THE REJECTED GENIUS 28
Chapter 28The room was silent for a few minutes. I don't want to believe Park was a burden. He was doing his best to have me protected. “ I think you need to ease up a little, Leo. Park was just trying to protect me. I am sure he did it out of his will to make sure nothing happened to me. Isn't that right, Park?” He looked at me, and I gave him a gaze that meant to tell him to plead. “ I was only trying to look out for Mr Hayes. I must have gone too far.” Park said, looking at Leo, whose face was still showing how pissed he was. “ We don't need any distractions right now. We need to hit Nathan and his father when things are still hot. All of these aren't school jokes anymore. It is going to become real, and this, your mistake with the Dean, might be the one thing that would ignite the spark.” Leo coughed again walking to his seat. “ You both need to be careful now, Master Hayes. If we are going to win this, then we need to be smart about our moves.” “ Thanks, Leo. I am sure I wou
THE REJECTED GENIUS 29
Chapter 29“ Why don't we just talk about this, you and me?” I looked at Damien's face. “ Talk? Did you just talk about this when my father was caught in the crossfire?” “ That is why I am here, Damien. I come bearing candy. I am not asking you to just let go of this.” I said again, waving the bag containing some dollar notes. “ What is that? Is that some cash?” Damien asked. “ Sure. And it would be all yours if you could ask them to leave the room for me. I want to speak to your father.” I said, walking closer to him. I looked through the transparent glass, and I could see Nathan talking with Damien’s father and a man seated beside him. His figure excluded wealth, power, and wealth. I don't need to be told who he was. I knew already. He was Nathan's father, and one thing was certain. He had come to strike a deal with the Dean. Damien’s eyes narrowed at me. For a moment, I thought he might take the envelope and step aside. Instead, he crossed his arms and leaned back in the cha
THE REJECTED GENIUS 30
Chapter 30 I dropped the brown envelope I had carried with me on the table right in front of the Dean. “ Take that as a gesture of good things to come,” I said, looking at him with a smile on my face. Nathan walked in immediately; I was out with a satisfactory smile on my face. I could hear his father's loud noise threatening the Dean. “ You are going to regret this. I am going to make you regret ever double-crossing me!” He said in anger. My gaze locked with his as he walked by me. I could hear him asking his son who I was. “ That is Adrian Hayes,” Nathan said, and he stopped abruptly. “ What did you say? Did you just call him, Hayes?” He asked again, staring at his son's face. “ Yes, Father. He is beginning to get on my nerves. I wonder what he told the Dean. He was going to sue them for assault, and then he came in with some brown envelope.” Nathan said with his hand clenched in anger. “ Hayes. Always a pain in the ass.” Nathan's father said yet again before walking away. I
THE REJECTED GENIUS 31
Chapter 31Power is power, if you ask me.I was a nobody before all of this. Everything changed with a single name. With a title, I became someone to be reckoned with. Someone to be feared.My name was on the lips of every student, and every stunning female student wanted to be friends with me. I can't say no.Tessa was a bit jealous. We agreed on a contract date, but then I wasn't going to show her I was lesser. I needed to show everyone that I was not a pauper anymore.I walked into the school campus with Park right by my side. Everything had been forgotten. The fight between Nathan and me was the only topic in the school, and who was going to come out on top was a question that no one knew the answer to.“ I told you, Adrian is capable.”“ I know he would silence those damn bloggers!”“ I can't believe he kicked Nathan's and Jack's asses.”The male students said right behind my back as I walked past them.“ He is so hot!”“ I want him!”“ I don't understand why Sophia would leave h
THE REJECTED GENIUS 32
Chapter 32 The Davenport estate was the kind of place you only saw in glossy magazines or real estate shows—marble floors, gold-trimmed archways, a chandelier so large it could crush a man, and servants moving about in the large mansion.Every inch of it whispered wealth, power, and meticulous control. Tonight would be the stage for a battle not of fists—but of dominance, wits, and charm.I adjusted the cuffs of my charcoal suit, my reflection glaring back at me from the mirrored wall. Park had insisted I wear something that screamed wealth but whispered power. I took his advice. There was no room for second-guessing tonight.“Ready?” Park asked from behind, leaning casually against the oak door frame of my suite.“No,” I replied truthfully. “But I have no intention of losing.” I looked at Park who seemed to be uncomfortable in his own suit. “ Can you stop doing that?” “ Doing what?” Park asked, staring at me. “ You know what you are doing. You look good and dashing. Who knows, y
THE REJECTED GENIUS 33
Chapter 33“ Boys, why don't we calm down? We are here for the party. Why don't we make this show a little lively?” Tessa’s father said, looking at both of them. “ How?” Nathan asked, staring at Tessa's face. The fact that I had to share Tessa with him again was very insulting to me. He had Sophia taken for me, and now this too. I know I had approached Tessa with a mission, but then Tessa is mine, and I won't allow him to take her.Not this time. “ Does she know about this?” I asked, my eyes darting towards Nathan. “ Does anyone know? And why do I have to tell her? Do you know how many women and ladies lust after me? I don't need to tell someone like you because you will never understand. You will never belong to our world.” Nathan taunted. My gaze darted towards Clifton, who looked at me. I was going to make him change his decision. I was going to make Nathan lose the arrangement he had with the Davenports, and I was going to win again tonight. “ Well, I believe I know what is r
THE REJECTED GENIUS 34
Chapter 34The night air was cool. The gentle breeze clashed against my face as I stared into the night. My hands are in my pocket with a lot on my mind.I had lots on my mind. I needed to prove myself and also show Nathan he was way beneath me. But then, my mind drifted back to Damien and his father.I knew Damien, he wouldn't take things lightly with me if he got to know the truth. I had managed to calm him down but what thing got out of hand?What if he knew I had played him and his father all along?I needed to think fast and plan ahead. My eyes darted through the crowd and it landed on Park. I let out a smile seeing that he was enjoying himself.He was with a lady I had seen earlier. She was in a velvet gown and she was stunning. I knew she was a woman of caliber too. No one was invited casually except you were rich and worth it. It was a circle of elites and people with power.I was a little taken aback because I don't know much about Park aside from the fact that he holds grud
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Chapter 46“ Did she give you anything?” Park asked, staring at me. “ Yes, she did make me an offer. She gave me a tape I didn't bother to check.” I said truthfully. “ Where is it?” Park asked “ Back home but first I need to be sure Jessica is with me on this.” “ And Zee, is she cool with whatever you are doing? I mean, you are going against Nathan not to mention the fact that you just caught Tessa red-handed. What are you going to do about the video?” Park asked I needed to think that the video shouldn't get into the wrong hands, and also I needed to show Tessa's father. “ What about showing it to Clinton? I am sure all will be forgiven.” I said assuringly “ And what if he doesn't believe you?” Park asked I pause, “ you mean he won't believe what is right in front of him? Don't make me laugh.” “ Touche! Videos can be edited, Adrian. What if Nathan claims you have something to do with it? What are you going to do then?” There was a long pause between the both of us. If I was n
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Chapter 45“ What do you want?” I asked, staring at Tessa coldly. “ You won't talk to me or defend me when I need you, but then you want to talk to me now?” “ Can we talk?” Tessa said gently, walking closer to me. I kept my distance, and she immediately stopped. “ I know I messed up, but can you give me time to fix this?” Tessa begged. “ Time? Time to fix what exactly, Tessa? The fact that you made me a rapist or the fact that your father had to slap me. I thought you were different. I can't even believe it…” I squeezed my hands trying to control the rage I was feeling. “ I should have defended you; I should have spoken up. I was shocked. I thought…” Tessa paused trying to blackmail me emotionally. “ What are you doing?” I said I found her acting weird. “ Don't even think of it. You did this on purpose. Nathan was going to rape you, and I stepped in. I stopped it. I expect more gratitude than what I got.” I said angrily.“ Then let me fix it. I can tell my father what really happe
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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
