The Return of the Campus Trillionaire

Chapter 5

Jared sat in the back seat of the taxi, his head lightly resting against the window as the city rolled by in soft blurs. It was unbelievable how fast life could shift. Just yesterday morning, he had been a broke, struggling student—counting pennies, praying Nana wouldn’t die before he could raise the money for her surgery. Yesterday evening, he had been tossed out of the university like filth. And now… a prince restored. The heir of the Diamond Empire. The rightful owner of fortunes larger than most nations’ GDPs.

All because he finally agreed to return home.

His fingers brushed against the sleek metal of his seven premium black cards—platinum, titanium, unlimited credit. Cards he hadn’t held for three years. Cards that could buy buildings, cities… or even the very institutions that had looked down on him.

Each card had at least $250 billion for his lavish spending. More money than he could ever spend in seven lifetimes. 

A small smile tugged at his lips. ‘Brad and Becky are going to freak out when they find out who I truly am.’

But first—he had unfinished business.

He had been expelled. Publicly. Unjustly. And that stain needed to be scrubbed off immediately.

And as for Professor Bernard… the old fool liked talking big. Today, he would learn who he challenged.

Jared pulled out his phone and dialed the direct number of Timothy Monrell—the COO and acting CEO of Atlantic Group, the parent company of LAU. The line rang once before the man answered.

“Hello? Who is this? How did you get this private num—”

“This is Jared Diamond,” Jared said calmly. “New owner of Atlantic Group.”

There was dead silence for two seconds.

Then Monrell spoke, suspicious but cautious: “Then please confirm your identity with the Diamond Executive Verification Code.”

Jared smirked. He knew the code by heart—he was the one who created it years back before walking out of the family.

“Verification code: A–LX–92–TRI–7.”

The phone nearly fell from Monrell’s hand.

“Y–Young Master Jared!” His voice immediately shifted into deep respect. “My deepest apologies. I didn’t know it was you. Sir, when will you be coming to the company? Should I assemble the board? Should—”

“No need for that right now,” Jared cut in. “I have a more urgent situation.”

“Yes, Young Master! Anything. Please instruct me.”

Jared leaned back in the taxi seat, voice steady, cold, and commanding.

“I was unjustly expelled from LAU yesterday.”

Timothy sucked in a sharp breath. “Expelled? By whom?”

“Director Martin Hill. Over a biased and baseless complaint. And more importantly—my grandmother needed surgery. The school’s golden boy, Sammy Jo, caused chaos and indirectly endangered her life. Now, Director Hill has sided with them again.”

“Young Master, this is unacceptable,” Monrell said, his tone now trembling. “Please, give me your orders.”

“Good,” Jared replied. “Here is what you will do:

“One, call Director Hill immediately. Give him one hour to revoke my expulsion and issue a public apology.

“Two, mandate that Sammy Jo and his family pay me—under the name ‘Jared Stevens’—a settlement of $25 million for the cost of Nana’s surgery.

“And lastly—remind Director Hill that Professor Bernard made a public bet with me. He must fulfill his end. I want that carried out today.”

Timothy answered instantly, “Consider it done, Young Master. I will not leave a single detail unattended.”

“Good,” Jared said. “Call me when it’s done.”

He ended the call.

A slow smile rose on his face.

‘Now… let’s go back and visit the university.’

***

LAU Campus—One Hour Later

Jared walked through the school’s large gates as though he had never left. Students turned their heads in shock—some whispering, some blinking rapidly like they were hallucinating.

“Is that… Jared?”

“But didn’t they expel him yesterday?”

“Did he sneak in again?”

No one dared approach him, but every pair of eyes followed him.

He went straight to the lunch lounge where he knew Brad and Becky would be. His friends had called him more than twenty-seven times since yesterday. Even now, three missed calls blinked on his phone.

As he entered the lounge, he spotted them immediately.

Brad Trodman—genius ICT student, quiet but brilliant.

Becky Hollins—fiery, confident, second-generation rich, loyal to a fault.

They were arguing about him, clearly distressed.

Jared walked up behind them and tapped Brad’s shoulder.

Both turned—and screamed.

“JARED!!!”

They jumped up and pulled him into a tight hug.

“Where have you been!?”

“Why did you switch off your phone!?”

“How’s Nana!?”

“Why are you back at school? I thought they expelled you!?”

Jared chuckled, sat down, and casually took Brad’s drink for a sip.

“I’ll tell you everything,” he said, “but first—”

The cafeteria door slammed open.

Kirby stormed in with her entourage, eyes wild.

“SO IT’S TRUE!” she shrieked. “You’re back! How? Did you sneak in? Do you think you’re funny? Jared, if you don’t explain right now, I swear I’ll call security and—”

Jared didn’t even look at her.

Kirby froze.

Being ignored was her biggest trigger.

“You—YOU PUNK!” she yelled. “I said LOOK AT ME when I’m talking!”

She rushed forward and reached to grab his shirt.

But before her hand landed—

SLAP!

Becky smacked Kirby’s wrist so hard Kirby yelped. Becky’s glare could slice steel.

“Touch him again,” Becky said coldly, “and I’ll break your fingers one by one. You think you can bully Jared after everything you caused? Nana is in the hospital because of you! And you feel no remorse?”

Kirby stumbled back, fear flickering in her eyes. Becky’s family wealth—and reputation—far outweighed hers. Ten times even.

Still, Kirby hissed, “I’m calling Professor Bernard. He’ll throw Jared out again. Just watch!”

Jared’s smile widened.

‘Perfect.’

Five minutes later, Professor Bernard barged into the lounge.

He froze the instant he saw Jared.

“You—you’re back!? How?! Director Hill never—”

Jared leaned back in his seat. “Professor, I believe you have a challenge to honor.”

Bernard’s face drained of color.

The challenge.

The one he never believed Jared could meet.

If Jared returned to school:

Bernard must replace Sammy Jo with Brad Trodman for Skyrun’s recruitment.

Or

Lick Jared’s boots and run around the campus naked.

Bernard swallowed hard.

“I—I am not obligated to do anything,” he stammered. “You sneaked in here! You must have! I’m calling the director right now! When he gets here, you’ll be thrown out again—and probably arrested for trespassing!”

He dialed Director Hill instantly.

“Director! Jared Stevens is here! He snuck into the faculty lounge. Please come immediately!”

The call ended.

Bernard puffed up proudly.

“Just wait, Jared. When Director Hill arrives, you’re finished.”

Jared only smiled.

Little did any of them know… Director Hill had exactly fourteen minutes left before Monrell’s deadline hit.