The camera flashes soared through the air, blinding the figures in cuffs. The FBI trailing behind them escorted both the former board member, who bowed his head in shame, and the couple, who also tried to hide their heads but couldn't hide their faces from the live footage. The journalist urging for answers shifted their microphones from the arrested figures to the men in uniform but were left with a professional silence."Mrs. Williams is here!” One of the journalists who noticed her exited the DSI with several men in black suits trailing in front and behind her, dragging the other journalist and cameramen away from the officers. The cameramen instantly took to their heels following the lead of the journalist.Meanwhile, Mason and Haley, who had used the private elevator to eat their various cars, and Mason, who had instructed for his car to be brought to the DSI, slid into the driver seat of the black Bugatti and drove past the press with ease as everyone's attention was focused on
As the two figures locked eyes, a brief silence hushed through the space, prolonging the tension in the room. While the lecturer's unwavering facial expression made it clear that he was resolute in upholding his decision, Mason, on the other hand, remained calm at Mr. Hasatin's unwillingness to grant him leniency for coming late. Despite his ability to manipulate the situation in his favor and coerce Mr. Hasatin into allowing him to take the test, Mason chose not to use his influence, as it would only draw more attention to him.“If I were to miss the test, would there be a make-up test?” Mason inquired, pulling his hand out of his pocket to glance at his watch. The lecturer's frown deepens at his confidence level, and apart from Mason being the student to break the record of coming to his test hall ten minutes late, no student was ever bold enough to request a makeup test since they already knew the outcome."Don't, brother Mason, go home and pray you score high in your exam; if not
Ms. Sonia examines Mason with a look of curiosity and disbelief. She couldn't imagine this student, who most students underestimate as a scholarship student, is the same person who was dripping with an intimidating aura and was ready to protect her from her psychiatrist brother. She knew Mason wasn't an ordinary student like his files claim, but she couldn't decipher who he was and what he was hiding behind his mask. Sonia knew the lecturer was waiting for her response, so she cleared her throat and said. “I don't really care why you haven't been attending Mr. Hasatin classes, but coming late to write his test is unacceptable!” She said, keeping a calm tone and yet holding enough seriousness, which assisted Mr. Hasatin ego.“I was a few minutes late, Ms. Sonia, and all I ask is to write the test not to be given an additional minute,” Momaaon defended calmly, but the lecturer daggers his eyes at him.Sonia noticed the expression on Mr. Hasatin's face at Mason's reply; she shook her an
As the seconds ticked by, Mason's figure blended with the hushed crowd of students diligently scratching their pens across their papers, trying to solve the questions. Focused on Mason, Mr. Hasatin resumed his invigilation, navigating through the students with his eyes constantly shifting between the wall clock and his direction. A wide smile illuminated his face when he saw that Mason was the only student solving the test questions without the aid of a calculator. ‘You think you're brilliant and can solve problems without a calculator? Let me see how you intend to pass without confirming your answers,’ Mr. Hasatin muttered to himself, shaking his head. Meanwhile, Sonia, who was also standing in front of the class, couldn't help but notice the lecturer's animated gestures. She followed his gaze and arrived at Mason's desk, which had no calculator. She knew Mr. Hadatin wouldn't allow borrowing a calculator, and solving the questions without one would be more difficult, as the expre
Shortly after Mr. Hasatin made the announcement, he quickly scurried through the classroom, collecting the answer sheets. While some students submitted their scripts with ease, others, who had already assumed their fate, submitted theirs with grimace itching on their faces.Mr. Hasatin, with a satisfied smile, finally approached Mason, who was pretending to be reviewing his work.“Your time is up smart ass,” he grinned, snatching the paper from his hands, and since he was confident Mason would fail, he didn't bother to go glance at his work and added it to the rest. “I guess you're not confident about your score, are you?” He added mockingly, and Mason, wearing an unreadable expression, glimpsed at him before turning to Jeremiah, who had also submitted his script and was ready to leave. “Let go, Mason,” Jeremiah muttered, hoping they could disappear from the classroom before Mr. Hasatin's cold gaze bore a hole in his best friend's head.Mason nodded and picked up his things; they wer
“Austin,” Mr. Hasatin's voice resonated through the classroom, causing all the students to turn their attention to the front. The air was thick with a mix of anticipation and dread as he scanned his list of names before looking up at the boy, who sat frozen in his seat. Austin's gaze flickered nervously around the room before finally settling on Mr. Hasatin, whose expression was stern yet tinged with disappointment as he continued, “Your test score is 10 out of 100!” The words hung in the air, punctuating the silence and eliciting a wave of murmurs and gasps from the other students. Austin, who was short of words, quickly forced a lump down his throat as the reality of his test score slapped his face. More whispers from other shocked students emerged as they lingered their gaze on the boy who had never missed a class and was regarded as not only Mr. Hasatin’s disciple but the best student of his course. “Oh my God, I can't believe this!” A girl sitting in front of Mason excla
After the test scores were announced and the dean of students exited the classroom, several chairs scraped against the floor as the students, still reeling from the shock of the results, slowly filed out in a somber group, reminiscing about the surprising twists of the test. At the back of the line, Mason and Jeremiah lingered, their expressions different from those of the others. Meanwhile, Mr. Hasatin stood at the front, his piercing gaze fixed on the two boys as if he could bore into their skulls with his eyes.In seconds, they confidently strode to the entrance of the faculty, capturing the attention of several pairs of watchful eyes. Rumors of their outstanding test score had rapidly spread throughout the university, creating an unmistakable buzz that refused to be ignored, and other students who didn't know who they were exchanged looks of curiosity.“Bro, I think I have become popular!” Jeremiah muttered, panning his eyes at the notifications popping up on his phone screen. Mas
“That's alright,” Mason replied with a casual smile, unfazed by the curious glances from those around them. With a fluid motion, he retrieved his phone from his pocket and tapped at the screen, which lit up, and exchanged numbers with them, sealing their brief conversation with a friendly nod. After a few warm goodbyes, he headed toward the administration building where his car was parked. Mason circled out of the parking lot and headed downtown Aleric City, navigating through the familiar streets lined up with shops and cafes, bustling with activities. After a few miles, he finally arrived at Heaven Institution, where Helen attended school.Keeping his promise to pick her up, Mason slowed down and navigated toward the elegant, modern building with its sleek glass facade. In front of the building, staff dressed in sharp formal wear gathered in the late afternoon light, and their polished shoes gleamed as they exchanged polite smiles and warm handshakes with the parents who had come t