The Pauper Who Ruled the Campus

Chapter 8: The Crown Revealed

After they threw Marcus out of the gate, he stood still for a moment, his chest rising and falling slowly. The laughter from the security and Frank still echoed faintly in his ears, but his expression did not change. Calmly, he reached into his pocket and brought out his phone.

He scrolled through his contacts and placed a call.

The line connected almost immediately.

“Yes, this is Marcus,” he said quietly. “I am outside the Galaxy Corporation.”

There was a sharp intake of breath on the other end.

“Outside?” the woman asked anxiously. “Please stay where you are.”

The call ended abruptly.

Within a few minutes, the sound of speeding cars broke the calm outside the gate. A sleek black car pulled up sharply, followed closely by another vehicle filled with private security. The car door opened, and a woman stepped out in a rush.

She was the manager of the Galaxy Corporation.

Ignoring the shocked looks of passersby, she ran toward Marcus as fast as her heels would allow. Her security struggled to keep up with her pace. She did not care that she was running on polished concrete in expensive shoes.

When she reached Marcus, she bent slightly forward, catching her breath.

“I am so sorry,” she said immediately, her voice filled with panic and respect. “This should never have happened.”

Before Marcus could respond, she opened the door of her car herself. “Please,” she said gently. “Get in.”

Marcus nodded and entered the car without a word.

She shut the door, walked around, and took the driver’s seat. Without wasting another second, she drove straight back into the Galaxy Corporation compound. This time, the gate opened instantly.

As they arrived, the private security stepped out first and opened the doors for both of them. The manager stepped out, composed herself, and led Marcus toward the main building.

Inside, everything was quiet.

As they approached the security area, the security personnel standing there immediately bowed deeply the moment they saw the manager. Their heads were lowered in respect.

Marcus walked past them, then suddenly stopped.

He turned to the manager. “I want the two security guards who threw me out fired immediately,” he said calmly. “No severance pay. No compensation.”

The words hit the air like thunder.

For a second, the security guards did not react. Then they laughed, thinking it was a joke.

The manager did not smile.

She reached into her folder, pulled out two documents, and handed them to the guards.

“You are both dismissed,” she said firmly. “Effective immediately.”

The laughter died instantly.

The guards stared at the papers, their faces turning pale. They began to tremble.

“Ma’am, please,” one of them begged. “There must be a mistake.”

“There is no mistake,” the manager replied coldly. “The order came from the new CEO himself.”

The moment the words left her mouth, the two guards collapsed to the ground.

“The new CEO?” one whispered in horror.

They turned their heads slowly and looked at Marcus.

Realization struck them like a hammer.

They fell flat on their faces, begging and apologizing repeatedly.

“Please forgive us.”

“We were blind.”

“We did not know.”

Marcus did not even look at them.

He turned and followed the manager toward her office.

Inside the office, everything was prepared. The documents were already laid out neatly on the desk. The manager explained briefly, her tone respectful and careful. Marcus listened quietly and signed where necessary.

After everything was done, the manager stood up.

“I will escort you out,” she said.

Marcus shook his head. “That will not be necessary.”

He walked out of the office alone.

As he descended the staircase, footsteps rushed toward him.

“Marcus!”

Frank’s voice rang out sharply.

Before Marcus could react, Frank grabbed him by the collar and yanked him backward.

“You dare come back here?” Frank shouted furiously. “You think you can fool everyone?”

He dragged Marcus down the stairs roughly, his face twisted with rage. With his free hand, he pulled out his phone and dialed a number.

“Police,” Frank said loudly. “I need officers at the Galaxy Corporation immediately. There is an impersonator here.”

Marcus tried to break free, but Frank’s grip was tight.

The commotion echoed through the building.

Inside her office, the manager heard the noise. She turned toward the security monitor and froze when she saw Frank dragging Marcus down the stairs.

Her eyes widened in shock.

She ran out of her office immediately.

When she reached them, she did not ask a single question.

She raised her hand and slapped Frank hard across the face.

Once.

Twice.

Three times.

The sound was loud and clear.

Frank staggered back in disbelief.

“I am so sorry,” the manager said quickly, turning to Marcus. “This is unacceptable.”

Frank clutched his cheek, staring at her. “Are you out of your mind?”

The manager’s expression hardened. “This man is the new CEO of the Galaxy Corporation. You will show him respect.”

Frank laughed nervously. “That is impossible. I know him. He is a poor student. He is on a scholarship.”

“If you continue speaking,” the manager said coldly, “every contract your father has with this corporation will be terminated. Including the ones about to be signed.”

Frank’s laughter faded.

“You will be bankrupt,” she added calmly.

Frank opened his mouth to argue again, but sirens echoed outside.

The police arrived.

Frank immediately pointed at Marcus. “Arrest him. He is impersonating a CEO.”

The officers stepped forward.

Before they could touch Marcus, the manager raised her hand.

She pulled out the signed documents and showed them clearly.

“This man is the CEO,” she said firmly. “Arrest him instead.”

The officers froze.

She continued, her voice sharp and authoritative. “Terminate all contracts connected to Frank Collins and his father. Freeze all assets immediately.”

The officers received confirmation through their radios within minutes.

Frank’s phone began vibrating nonstop.

Emails.

Notifications.

Alerts.

His face drained of color as he read each message.

Accounts frozen.

Assets seized.

Contracts terminated.

Frank dropped to his knees.

“I am sorry,” he cried, crawling toward Marcus. “Please forgive me.”

Marcus did not even glance at him.

He turned and walked away, a small smile forming on his face.

Behind him, the manager spoke to the police quietly. “Ensure he never sees the light of day again.”

The officers nodded and lifted Frank to his feet, dragging him away as he continued begging.

Outside the building, Marcus stepped into the sunlight.

He walked toward the road and raised his hand to call a taxi.

Just then, his phone rang.

He checked the screen.

It was Emmanuel.

“Marcus, where are you?” Emmanuel asked urgently. “Professor Frost is looking for you. You need to come to class immediately.”