THE REJECTED GENIUS

5

Chapter 5: Back to the Lions' Den

The next morning, I arrived at Northvale University differently.

No more cheap hoodies and second-hand sneakers. No more avoiding the rich or avoiding eye contact.

I stepped out of the sleek black Bentley dressed in a tailored suit—nothing too expensive, but enough to make the students talk and definitely enough to make people look twice.

And they did.

Students paused on-going conversation as they saw me walk into the school compound. Some stared outright, others whispered, confused.

The school’s rich and elite students—the ones who had laughed at me, walked past me in hallways and treated me like I was nothing -- were suddenly interested in me.

I smirked.

I knew they were all surprised not to see me in my poverty-stricken clothes.

I walked through the halls, with my head high.

The shift was immediate. Where people once ignored me, they now made space. The same students who had mocked me just yesterday suddenly avoids eye contact, as if sensing something had changed.

But not everyone.

Some, like Nathan Sterling, weren’t so quick to accept a new reality.

“Look who suddenly thinks he belongs here,” I heard a familiar voice right behind me making me turn.

Nathan stood by his usual friends—Ryan, Damien, Zach, and a few other rich boys who gain joy by making others feel small. Melissa was beside him, her manicured fingers wrapped around his arm.

Her eyes flickered over me, surprise flashing across her face before she masked it with disdain. I knew most of them were wondering where I got the makeover.

“Nice suit, Adrian,” she said, voice dripping with sarcasm. “Let me guess—stole it from the drama department?”

The students nearby burst into laughter.

But I didn’t react.

Nathan stepped forward, his arms crossed. “Trying to play dress-up, loser? Think putting on a suit makes you one of us?”

I tilted my head. “And what exactly are you?”

Nathan's smirk faltered for half a second.

I took a step closer, lowering my voice just enough so only he could hear what I had to say.

“You walk around here like a king, Nathan. But remind me—who actually owns Sterling Enterprises? Because it’s not you.”

His gaze flicked towards me and I laughed. I could see the reactions and the gaze in his eyes.

I had done my research last night. Sterling Enterprises was still under his father’s control. Nathan was just an entitled brat riding on a family name.

His fists tightened, but before he could respond, Sophia tugged his sleeve.

“Nathan, let’s go. He’s just trying to get under your skin.”

Nathan exhaled sharply and shot me a look. “You’ll regret this.”

I smiled as I watched them walk away.

By lunchtime, rumors had spread.

The once ‘pathetic scholarship kid’ had shown up in a Bentley. He was dressed in a suit that cost more than some students’ entire wardrobes.

Whispers followed me everywhere I went but it wasn't the one of ridicule but gossip. Most of the students were fazed and at the same time eager to know what was going on.

“Did his mom win the lottery?”

“No way—he must be scamming someone.”

“Maybe he sold an organ?”

I ignored them. Let them speculate. Let them talk.

Because soon, I would give them something real to talk about.

I grabbed a tray and scanned the cafeteria. My usual corner seat by the trash bins was occupied—by some freshman who clearly had no idea that was where ‘people like me’ usually sat.

Good. I wouldn’t be sitting there today.

Instead, I walked straight to the center, where the most exclusive table sat—the one dominated by Nathan, Sophia, and their clique.

They stopped talking immediately when they saw me walking towards them.

Nathan looked up, an annoyed frown creasing his forehead. “You’re in the wrong place, Hayes.”

I placed my tray on the table and sat down.

Sophia gaped.

Ryan choked on his drink.

Nathan's expression changed, wondering what gave me the audacity to sit at the table with them.

“You’re seriously trying to pull this?” he said, voice low.

I picked up my fork, stabbing a piece of chicken. “I don’t see your name on the table.”

Ryan scoffed. “Dude, this isn’t for—you know—your kind.”

I chewed slowly, then set my fork down. “My kind?”

Nathan faltered, realizing too late how that sounded. “I mean, like, the scholarship—”

“Careful, Nathan,” I interrupted, voice calm. “You don’t want to say something… offensive.”

His face turned pale.

Sophia, always eager to stir trouble, leaned forward. “Seriously, Adrian. What’s gotten into you? You’ve been acting weird all day.”

I met her gaze. “Maybe I just got tired of playing the role you all assigned me.”

She blinked.

Nathan slammed his drink down. “Alright, enough. Get up, Hayes. Now.”

I leaned back. “Make me.”

The cafeteria immediately went silent with lots of eyes now staring at the both of us.

The challenge hung between us.

Nathan couldn’t just drag me out—not in front of the entire cafeteria. That would look desperate.

Weak.

And Nathan Sterling couldn’t afford to look weak.

His jaw tightened. “You’re going to regret this.”

I smirked.

I looked at my drumstick and munched on it. It was glaring that I was clearly enjoying myself.

The moment I left the cafeteria, I knew Nathan wouldn’t let this slide.

And I was right.

Because by the time I reached my locker, I was suddenly yanked backward.

Pain shot through my back as I slammed into the cold metal.

Nathan stood over me, eyes blazing.

“You think this is a game, Hayes?” he hissed.

Ryan and Zach flanked him, blocking any escape.

I clenched my jaw. I expected this. Nathan didn’t just let things go—especially not challenges to his authority.

He grabbed my shirt. “I don’t know what stunt you’re pulling, but I’m done playing.”

I smirked. “Funny. Because I’ve only just started.”

His grip tightened. “You’re nothing, Hayes. No amount of fake confidence changes that.”

He shoved me. Hard. I stumbled, barely catching myself before hitting the floor.

“Stay in your place,” Nathan growled. “Or I’ll put you there.”

Ryan and Zach chuckled as they followed him down the hall.

I exhaled slowly, adjusting my collar.

I looked at them as they walked out of sight. I knew it was about time I put Nathan in his place but first I needed to make a good plan.

That night, I sat on the edge of my massive new bed, scrolling through my phone.

I had access to more money than I had ever dreamed of. More power than I had ever hoped for.

But I needed more than wealth to destroy Nathan Sterling.

I needed a strategy.

A notification popped up on my phone.

Leonard Whitmore: "I’ve arranged a meeting with some key investors tomorrow. You’ll want to attend. These are people who can elevate your status beyond just being ‘rich.’"

I tapped out a reply.

Me: "Set it up. It’s time I start making moves.”