The Gaming Master

Chapter 6

The moment the ATM displayed “INSUFFICIENT FUNDS,” my heart nearly stopped. My breath hitched as cold sweat formed on my back.

“No… No, that can’t be right,” I muttered under my breath, quickly pulling out the ATM card and reinserting it. My hands trembled as I navigated through the options again. This time, the balance displayed the same jaw-dropping number: $2,000,000.

I let out a shaky breath. “What the hell is going on?”

Still doubting, I pressed the withdrawal option again, this time selecting a smaller amount—$10,000. The machine hummed, processing my request. I braced myself, half-expecting another error message, but to my shock, the cash began to slide out in crisp hundred-dollar bills.

I snatched the money up, glancing around nervously. The idea of holding this much cash made me paranoid. Hastily stuffing it into my pocket, I took a deep breath and stepped away from the ATM. My mind raced, but one thought stood out clearly—I needed to pay my tuition fees.

Felix’s laughter echoed in my head, fueling my steps as I made my way toward the grand hall. The campus buzzed with whispers and murmurs the moment I entered. Students parted to make way for me, some sneering, others curious.

“Klaus is probably going to beg the Dean,” one student whispered.

“Maybe he’s here to throw himself at Felix’s mercy,” another chuckled.

I ignored them all and walked straight to the admin office. The Dean, Mr. Jason, looked up from his desk, surprise flickering in his eyes. Felix and his cronies stood nearby, watching me with smug expressions.

“Klaus.” Mr. Jason’s voice was laced with disapproval. “What brings you here?”

I didn’t waste time. “I want to pay my tuition fees. What’s the school’s account number?”

The entire office went silent. The students in the hallway gasped audibly. Felix’s smirk faltered for a split second before he scoffed.

“You’re joking, right?” Celine arched a brow, arms crossed.

I remained unfazed. “The account number, please.”

Mr. Jason hesitated before slowly reciting the details. I took out my phone and made the transaction right in front of everyone. Moments later, his phone beeped.

Mr. Jason’s eyes widened as he checked the alert. A murmur rippled through the hallway.

“He really paid?” one student whispered.

“Is he richer now? All of a sudden?”

“ Or has Kluas been faking it for sometime now?” 

“ Who is he really?” 

The hallway was in a frenzy mode when Felix suddenly clapped, a slow, mocking applause. “Wow, Klaus! So, you finally decided to stop being a broke loser?”

The hall went silent with each of the students' gaze fixed on Felix. “ Did you rob a bank or what?” 

I said nothing but simply clutched my phone in my hands. It as time I show them who I really was. It was time I let Felix know he had out played his cards. This was my turn and the wheel of time was now spinning in my favour. 

Celine smirked as her gaze bored into me. “Let me guess, you took out a loan?”

I turned to them, an amused smile curling my lips. “What does it matter to you? Do you think I was going to grovel again at your knees and beg for mercy?” 

Felix’s smirk grew. “Since you’re suddenly feeling rich, don’t forget—you still owe me those hospital bills.”

The crowd gasped again. A few students chuckled, nodding in agreement. Felix was still trying to assert control. Many of them know how Felix takes charge of one's life on the campus. All you need was to be indebted to him and you aarhus servant for life. Just like what he was doing to me. 

I tilted my head, feigning innocence. “How much?”

Felix blinked, caught off guard. “What?”

“I said, how much do I owe you?” I repeated, folding my arms. “Since I have to spend money anyway, I might as well start with that.”

Felix’s confident facade cracked slightly, but he quickly masked it with an arrogant grin. “$50,000,” he said smoothly, watching for my reaction.

A collective gasp ran through the crowd. Even Celine’s eyes widened slightly. That was an outrageous sum for hospital bills.

But instead of reacting with shock or anger, I smiled. A genuine, amused smile.

Felix narrowed his eyes. “What’s so funny?”

“Oh, nothing,” I said lightly. “I just didn’t realize you were so cheap.”

The students erupted into murmurs again. Felix’s jaw tightened. Celine frowned, sensing the shift in atmosphere.

I pulled out my phone again. “Give me your account number.”

Felix hesitated. He wasn’t expecting me to agree so easily. “What, you don’t have cash?”

I chuckled. “I do, but handling that much cash is inconvenient. Unless you’d rather I make it rain in the hallway?”

Laughter rippled through the crowd. Felix’s face turned red. He muttered his account details, and within moments, his phone dinged. His eyes widened slightly, confirming the payment.

Everyone looked at me as the dial of my phone was the only sound that was audible at the moment. I looked at Celine who was having a disbelieving look on her face and of course Felix who had a look of anger in his face. 

I was no longer his prey but I was slowly becoming the predator. 

[ SENT ] 

The message popped up on my phone and I stared at him. “ Looks like I don't owe you a cent anymore.” 

For the first time since I had met him, Felix looked genuinely unsettled. The power dynamic between us had shifted.

I turned away, leaving the office with an air of confidence I hadn’t known I possessed before. The students whispered among themselves, trying to process what had just happened.

Felix clenched his fists. “What the hell just happened?” he muttered, glaring at his phone.

Celine watched me walk away, curiosity flickering in her eyes. “He’s different.”

Felix’s lips curled in irritation. “I don’t care how much money he suddenly has. He’ll always be beneath me.”

But even as he said it, doubt crept into his voice.

And for the first time in a long while, I felt like I was finally in control.