Rise of the banished heir

Chapter 4 Unexpected Revelsal

Gerald rode his new Honda Super Cub C125 to campus this morning. Along the way, he realized that he was the centre of attention. Especially when he stopped at the traffic light showing the red signal, more than just a few people were staring at him. Eventually, Gerald began to feel disturbed by their behaviour.

"Why are they looking at me? Is it because this motorcycle is the latest model that hasn't been seen on the streets yet?" Gerald thought as he noticed a child staring at him without pause.

Gerald entered the campus gate casually, even though the stares of people around him were quite bothersome. Moreover, many people disliked Gerald due to the circulated photo description of him with Olive.

On the other hand, Gerald was annoyed because he thought people didn't believe he could ride a motorcycle. In reality, those who were looking at him were admiring the classic-themed motorcycle they had never seen before.

After parking his motorcycle, Gerald headed towards the dean's office. He continued walking, ignoring the negative chatter about him. He quickened his pace when he saw Olive entering the dean's office.

"Olive, wait for me," he said, rushing to Olive.

"Thank goodness you're on time," Olive smiled. "Have you prepared yourself to answer all of the dean's questions?"

"No need to prepare for anything because we're just going to explain what happened. The answers were there before the questions were asked," he replied, returning the smile.

They both sat in front of an irritated professor. Gerald realized that the photo of him and Olive could be misinterpreted. Others might think that Gerald paid Olive to do something inappropriate to cover his tuition fees.

The professor took off his glasses, making sure he correctly identified the young faces in the photo on his phone.

"We don't need to beat around the bush. Gerald, please explain what happened in this photo!" he ordered, giving Gerald a sharp look. He showed them the photo on his phone.

"At that time, I gave money to Olive to pay for her tuition. We didn't realize that someone took a picture just as Olive was smiling while holding the money."

Not wanting this misunderstanding to continue, Olive tried to find the right words to make the professor accept Gerald's explanation. "That's correct, sir. Gerald only helped me to pay for my tuition! Really, Gerald didn't impose any conditions on helping me, let alone ask me to do anything inappropriate!"

The professor shifted his seat to face Olive. He couldn't believe their answers right away. He also knew that Gerald had almost been unable to pay his tuition fees. "Borrowing money from Gerald? Am I hearing this correctly? Who can believe such a simple story?"

Olive was at a loss for words upon hearing that question. Without any other options, she did her best to help Gerald by explaining the chronological events. The reason she couldn't pay her tuition was that her parents had a crop failure this time. She had only learned about it a week before the payment deadline. Naturally, she couldn't gather a significant amount of money in such a short time. When Olive could only cry over her situation, Gerald came to her rescue.

"Olive, does your story explain what happened?" the professor asked.

Olive fell silent. She couldn't utter a single word. Tears welled up in her eyes as she realized the professor believed her life's hardships were just a fabrication. "Sir, please believe me, all these problems started with my own story. I don't want Gerald to have a bad image just because he extended a helping hand to me."

No matter what Olive said, the professor couldn't immediately believe them. From the professor's perspective, Gerald's financial situation also seemed dubious. Not long ago, Gerald had requested an extension for the tuition fee payment deadline. So, it seemed impossible for Gerald to have a lot of money in just a few days.

The professor then turned to Gerald for an explanation. On the other hand, he found it hard to believe that Gerald would do something wrong just for money, especially since Gerald had behaved like any other trouble-free student until now.

"I'm currently employed, sir," Gerald said.

"Since when? What kind of job allowed you to earn so much money in just a few days?" the professor asked.

Gerald paused for a moment to carefully choose his words for the best response. "I work as an O.B. at the Johnson company, sir... Actually, I have another reason behind the wealth I have now."

Hearing Gerald's answer, the professor smiled condescendingly. "An O.B. treated like a king? Is that the kind of reason you want to tell me?"

In order to convince the professor, Gerald then recounted the incident where he saved the grandchild of the Johnson company's owner. He received a substantial amount of money from the company owner as a reward for saving their family member's life.

The professor smiled condescendingly and shook his head upon hearing that reason. "Another absurd story? Don't you realize that others can now see your change in lifestyle? As a professor, I don't want students on this campus to be involved in serious crimes just because of financial problems.

"Like the Johnson family's expectations entrusted to us, their scholarships are only meant for bright individuals. If you don't get a scholarship and can't afford to pay your tuition fees, it's better to withdraw.

"Gerald, please tell me the truth, where did you get the money to help Olive?"

Gerald sighed in frustration as his words were ignored. Thinking he couldn't explain it using words, Gerald reluctantly took out a business card belonging to Grandma Sarah.

Seeing the name Sarah Johnson and the Johnson company logo carved in gold on the business card made the professor's body freeze. Anxious and restless feelings overcame him. The professor hadn't expected that Gerald possessed a business card from the person he respected the most. Slowly, cold sweat began to form on his forehead. He realized that Sarah Johnson would not give her business card to just anyone. This fact was supported by the university's head not even having one.

"Well, we believe the photo was just a misunderstanding. Your presence on campus tomorrow and thereafter will surely clarify that you are just a victim of someone's mischief.

"Gerald, don't let yourself get into trouble like this again. Our discussion is over; you can leave now."

Olive wiped tears from her cheeks and smiled. She was extremely happy to see the professor suddenly accept Gerald's explanation, even if it was just through showing a business card. She hadn't expected that Gerald would possess something that could prove the truth of their story.

As Olive and Gerald exited the office, one of Zack’s friends was seen leaving. It turned out that the person had been eavesdropping on Gerald's conversation from behind the glass window. Although they couldn't hear the conversation clearly, it seemed like the person had been spying for quite some time. Gerald acted normally, even though he was aware that the person might have been instructed by Zack to spy on them.

Olive looked at Gerald, who was lost in thought. "Gerald, is there another problem?"

"No. There's no problem at all," Gerald replied with a smile.

On the other hand, Zack and his friends were enjoying a special meal ordered from outside the campus. The abundance of dishes on the table was meant to celebrate their success in tarnishing Gerald's reputation.

"Enjoy all of these dishes. We just need to wait for the day when poor Gerald resigns because he can't stand the criticism and insults from people around," Zack said with a broad smile.

"I'm sure he can't explain where the money came from. Maybe he stole the money to pay for his tuition? Or perhaps he borrowed money from a mafia?" Zack’s friend replied.

Zack and his friends burst into laughter upon hearing these accusations. They suspected that such a thing could indeed happen given Gerald's desperate need for money.

While they were enjoying themselves, Zack’s friend who had eavesdropped on Gerald's conversation came with an anxious expression. "I have news about Gerald... Damn! It seems he's cleared of those charges."

Zack’s happy face instantly turned into anger upon hearing the news. "What?! Quickly, explain what you mean!"

He then explained that after Gerald showed a business card, the interrogating professor was immediately silent. He described the card as bearing a striking resemblance to Zack’s.

Hearing his friend's statement, Zack became even angrier and couldn't believe it. He stared, demanding further explanation while pulling out his own business card from his wallet. "Are you sure this business card is as exclusive as mine? There's no way someone from my family would give a gold-plated business card like this to someone as poor as Gerald!"

"I couldn't read the owner's name, but I'm certain I didn't mistake your family's company logo."

Zack looked furious. He clenched his fists and stormed out of the cafeteria to find Gerald. "Where is that poor guy now!?"

"It seems he's heading home. He might still be in the parking lot."

"What... does he have his own vehicle now?!" Zack quickened his pace to avoid losing sight of Gerald. His friends followed him to track down Gerald's whereabouts.

As they headed towards the parking lot, Zack’s steps suddenly halted. He saw Gerald riding a rare motorcycle and leaving the campus area. Zack’s anger surged to uncontrollable levels. "Gerald! Stop!"

Gerald paid no attention, even though the shout was loud. He continued riding, ignoring everything as if he hadn't heard a thing. He knew that if he stopped, Zack would surely confront him again.

Unable to contain his rage, Zack immediately kicked a nearby trash can, causing garbage to scatter. "You're despicable, Gerald!"

On the road, Gerald, who was riding the motorcycle, was suddenly interrupted by the appearance of a hologram message from a system that disturbed his thoughts. He pulled over to the side of the road.

"Congratulations, the Reputation Recovery mission has been successfully completed! Main prize: $1000.

"Statistics

"Loyalty: +1 (+1)

"Charisma: +1 (+2)

"Strength: +1 (+0)

"Luck: +1 (+2)

"Bonus reward $200 (No detected injuries)."

Feeling his bag getting heavier, Gerald opened it and smiled as he saw a pile of money inside. Afterward, he continued his journey.

"With this, I only need to work formally, just to remove suspicion from those around me! If the system is present at all times, my dream of becoming rich now seems absurd.

"Ah, forget it!

"Now I have to find a purpose in life other than being rich. A peaceful life without Zack’s interference, perhaps." He suppressed a laugh at his own thoughts, realizing that Zack might be venting his anger on objects around him right now.