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THE REJECTED GENIUS 22
Chapter 22I looked at Park, and I saw he had a serious look on his face. He was standing aside without any look that seemed like he was going to help. The first guy swung his club at me, but I dodged it just in time. I counterattacked with a punch, aiming straight for his jaw.The fight was on, and I was determined to give it my all. I was fighting for my life, and I wasn't going to back down.But as I exchanged blows with the guys, I couldn't shake off the feeling that Park had set me up. Why had he brought me here? What was his motive?I pushed the thoughts aside and focused on the fight. I had to survive this, no matter what.The guys were relentless, but I was determined to take them down. I fought with every ounce of strength I had, my fists flying as I tried to protect myself.And then, I saw him. Jack. Standing in the shadows, watching me with a cold, calculating gaze.My heart skipped a beat as our eyes met. This was it. This was the moment I had been waiting for. But the f
THE REJECTED GENIUS 23
Chapter 23 Jack's smirk widened as he cracked his neck and rolled his shoulders. “You sure you want to do this again?” he asked, casually brushing dust off his sleeves. “You can barely stand, Adrian. Or should I say, Mr Hayes?” He taunted, and his minions laughed. I knew he had heard Park call me Hayes a few times. “I said”, I winced, taking one shaky step forward, “We’re not done.”Park stayed silent now, his expression unreadable. His phone was still raised, but I knew he wasn’t filming. He was watching me. Judging. Maybe even hoping.Jack charged without warning.I sidestepped, narrowly avoiding his fist, and landed a quick jab to his ribs. It didn’t do much — not with the way he grinned right after — but it was a hit, and it counted.This wasn’t just brute force anymore. This was chess. Speed over strength. Mind over muscle.Jack came again, faster this time, and I blocked his punch, barely keeping my balance. Pain shot through my arm, but I stayed up. My knuckles were bleeding
THE REJECTED GENIUS 24
Chapter 24“ You are recuperating very well, and your fighting skills have improved greatly. I am shocked to see that you have it in you. You are just like him.” Leo said, smiling. He coughed severely, making me a bit worried. “ Are you alright?” I asked, staring at his face. “ I am fine, Mr Hayes. I just need to keep up with doctor's appointments.” Leo replied, meeting my gaze. “ Should I be worried?” I looked at him and stopped. Leo's expression turned serious, and he looked away for a moment before responding. "No, Mr Hayes. You shouldn't be worried. It's just a routine check-up. Nothing to concern yourself with."I studied his face, trying to read between the lines. There was something in his tone that didn't quite add up. "You're not telling me something, are you?" I asked, my eyes narrowing slightly.Leo's gaze snapped back to mine, and he smiled weakly. "I'm justbeing cautious, Mr Hayes. That's all. Don't worry about it."I wasn't convinced, but I let it drop for now. "So,
THE REJECTED GENIUS 25
Chapter 25 As I stepped my feet on the school ground, a lot of eyes were fixed on me. I was not some ordinary student anymore. I was now the face of the school. “ Did you see the video clip that is going viral?” “ The one that Adrian Hayes knocked some sense into Jack's head? Of course, I saw it.” “ I was surprised. How come Adrian has been behaving like a dummy all this while? Has he been laying low for a day like this?”“ I was surprised when I saw the video of him beating the crap out of Jack. I am sure Nathan is going to be wary of him now.” “ If by the word weary, you mean ‘sacred', then I am one hundred percent with you on that.” As I walked, I could hear the whispering, and gosh, it felt so good. I loved that I was gaining ground, that I was no longer someone to be brushed aside like I didn't matter. Even the name Hayes meant little to them. I needed to show more accomplishment, and then the name would shine. My gaze caught a signpost not too far from the school's groun
THE REJECTED GENIUS 26
Chapter 26My phone rang, and I immediately picked it up. “ Do you like what you see?” The voice said with a smile plastered across his face. One I couldn't see, of course. I knew the voice, and I immediately burst into laughter. “ Leo, when did you plan all of this?” I said, looking at Park, who wondered who I was speaking with. “ When you decide to attack your enemies, you go ahead and show them you are not a rival to be taken lightly. You show them you are way above their league.” Leo replied, coughing slightly. “ You need to be checked up,” I said again, getting bothered by his coughs. “ Don't worry, Master Hayes. It is just a sign of old age. I will be good in no time.” “ Fine. But don't make me worry over you. I've got a lot I need to deal with at the moment.” I said sharply, feeling more like an elite. In actual truth, I have been feeling more like I was born rich ever since I knew who I really was. The feeling of not having to bother about the clothes you need to put on,
THE REJECTED GENIUS 27
Chapter 27The silence that followed the Dean’s collapse was unlike anything I had ever experienced. It was like time froze, the world paused, and all you could hear was the thump of the Dean’s body hitting the ground and the collective gasp of everyone around. Damien charged towards us. I could see him fuming angrily, and I knew he was coming straight at Park. I stood in the middle before he got to us, and then without minding, his blow connected to my jaw. The students gasped again, making me stagger backward. “ This is going to be a great show.” One of the students murmured.“Dean!” a female student screamed, her voice cracking through the tension like lightning. Without being told, I knew we were in a mess, but first I needed to calm Damien down.As much as the blow hurt, I knew I could not claim to be in the right spot. Park was my guard, and he was just trying to protect me, but then it was now a messy show. “ I am going to make sure you are expelled, Park. If anything happen
THE REJECTED GENIUS 28
Chapter 28The room was silent for a few minutes. I don't want to believe Park was a burden. He was doing his best to have me protected. “ I think you need to ease up a little, Leo. Park was just trying to protect me. I am sure he did it out of his will to make sure nothing happened to me. Isn't that right, Park?” He looked at me, and I gave him a gaze that meant to tell him to plead. “ I was only trying to look out for Mr Hayes. I must have gone too far.” Park said, looking at Leo, whose face was still showing how pissed he was. “ We don't need any distractions right now. We need to hit Nathan and his father when things are still hot. All of these aren't school jokes anymore. It is going to become real, and this, your mistake with the Dean, might be the one thing that would ignite the spark.” Leo coughed again walking to his seat. “ You both need to be careful now, Master Hayes. If we are going to win this, then we need to be smart about our moves.” “ Thanks, Leo. I am sure I wou
THE REJECTED GENIUS 1
Chapter 1: The NobodyAdrian's pov***************I knew I didn’t belong here.Northvale University wasn’t meant for people like me. It was a school for the rich, and the powerful—the children of CEOs, politicians, and old-money bags who didn’t have to study hard to have their place in the outside world. Meanwhile, I was just Adrian Hayes, a scholarship student who was barely making enough savings but feeding off scraps, invisible to most and a joke to the rest of the students. To them, I was nobody. Someone unworthy of their attention. I had learned not to attract any form of attention to myself, to stay in my lane. Where I wouldn’t attract any attention from the rich kids. But sometimes, no matter how much you try to stay invisible, life has a way of throwing you into the spotlight.And tonight? Tonight was one of those nights.The big hall of Northvale’s ballroom was decorated with shining chandeliers, a place of riches and excess. It was Sophia Lancaster’s birthday—a lavish aff
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Chapter 28The room was silent for a few minutes. I don't want to believe Park was a burden. He was doing his best to have me protected. “ I think you need to ease up a little, Leo. Park was just trying to protect me. I am sure he did it out of his will to make sure nothing happened to me. Isn't that right, Park?” He looked at me, and I gave him a gaze that meant to tell him to plead. “ I was only trying to look out for Mr Hayes. I must have gone too far.” Park said, looking at Leo, whose face was still showing how pissed he was. “ We don't need any distractions right now. We need to hit Nathan and his father when things are still hot. All of these aren't school jokes anymore. It is going to become real, and this, your mistake with the Dean, might be the one thing that would ignite the spark.” Leo coughed again walking to his seat. “ You both need to be careful now, Master Hayes. If we are going to win this, then we need to be smart about our moves.” “ Thanks, Leo. I am sure I wou
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Chapter 27The silence that followed the Dean’s collapse was unlike anything I had ever experienced. It was like time froze, the world paused, and all you could hear was the thump of the Dean’s body hitting the ground and the collective gasp of everyone around. Damien charged towards us. I could see him fuming angrily, and I knew he was coming straight at Park. I stood in the middle before he got to us, and then without minding, his blow connected to my jaw. The students gasped again, making me stagger backward. “ This is going to be a great show.” One of the students murmured.“Dean!” a female student screamed, her voice cracking through the tension like lightning. Without being told, I knew we were in a mess, but first I needed to calm Damien down.As much as the blow hurt, I knew I could not claim to be in the right spot. Park was my guard, and he was just trying to protect me, but then it was now a messy show. “ I am going to make sure you are expelled, Park. If anything happen
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Chapter 26My phone rang, and I immediately picked it up. “ Do you like what you see?” The voice said with a smile plastered across his face. One I couldn't see, of course. I knew the voice, and I immediately burst into laughter. “ Leo, when did you plan all of this?” I said, looking at Park, who wondered who I was speaking with. “ When you decide to attack your enemies, you go ahead and show them you are not a rival to be taken lightly. You show them you are way above their league.” Leo replied, coughing slightly. “ You need to be checked up,” I said again, getting bothered by his coughs. “ Don't worry, Master Hayes. It is just a sign of old age. I will be good in no time.” “ Fine. But don't make me worry over you. I've got a lot I need to deal with at the moment.” I said sharply, feeling more like an elite. In actual truth, I have been feeling more like I was born rich ever since I knew who I really was. The feeling of not having to bother about the clothes you need to put on,
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Chapter 25 As I stepped my feet on the school ground, a lot of eyes were fixed on me. I was not some ordinary student anymore. I was now the face of the school. “ Did you see the video clip that is going viral?” “ The one that Adrian Hayes knocked some sense into Jack's head? Of course, I saw it.” “ I was surprised. How come Adrian has been behaving like a dummy all this while? Has he been laying low for a day like this?”“ I was surprised when I saw the video of him beating the crap out of Jack. I am sure Nathan is going to be wary of him now.” “ If by the word weary, you mean ‘sacred', then I am one hundred percent with you on that.” As I walked, I could hear the whispering, and gosh, it felt so good. I loved that I was gaining ground, that I was no longer someone to be brushed aside like I didn't matter. Even the name Hayes meant little to them. I needed to show more accomplishment, and then the name would shine. My gaze caught a signpost not too far from the school's groun
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Chapter 24“ You are recuperating very well, and your fighting skills have improved greatly. I am shocked to see that you have it in you. You are just like him.” Leo said, smiling. He coughed severely, making me a bit worried. “ Are you alright?” I asked, staring at his face. “ I am fine, Mr Hayes. I just need to keep up with doctor's appointments.” Leo replied, meeting my gaze. “ Should I be worried?” I looked at him and stopped. Leo's expression turned serious, and he looked away for a moment before responding. "No, Mr Hayes. You shouldn't be worried. It's just a routine check-up. Nothing to concern yourself with."I studied his face, trying to read between the lines. There was something in his tone that didn't quite add up. "You're not telling me something, are you?" I asked, my eyes narrowing slightly.Leo's gaze snapped back to mine, and he smiled weakly. "I'm justbeing cautious, Mr Hayes. That's all. Don't worry about it."I wasn't convinced, but I let it drop for now. "So,
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Chapter 23 Jack's smirk widened as he cracked his neck and rolled his shoulders. “You sure you want to do this again?” he asked, casually brushing dust off his sleeves. “You can barely stand, Adrian. Or should I say, Mr Hayes?” He taunted, and his minions laughed. I knew he had heard Park call me Hayes a few times. “I said”, I winced, taking one shaky step forward, “We’re not done.”Park stayed silent now, his expression unreadable. His phone was still raised, but I knew he wasn’t filming. He was watching me. Judging. Maybe even hoping.Jack charged without warning.I sidestepped, narrowly avoiding his fist, and landed a quick jab to his ribs. It didn’t do much — not with the way he grinned right after — but it was a hit, and it counted.This wasn’t just brute force anymore. This was chess. Speed over strength. Mind over muscle.Jack came again, faster this time, and I blocked his punch, barely keeping my balance. Pain shot through my arm, but I stayed up. My knuckles were bleeding
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Chapter 22I looked at Park, and I saw he had a serious look on his face. He was standing aside without any look that seemed like he was going to help. The first guy swung his club at me, but I dodged it just in time. I counterattacked with a punch, aiming straight for his jaw.The fight was on, and I was determined to give it my all. I was fighting for my life, and I wasn't going to back down.But as I exchanged blows with the guys, I couldn't shake off the feeling that Park had set me up. Why had he brought me here? What was his motive?I pushed the thoughts aside and focused on the fight. I had to survive this, no matter what.The guys were relentless, but I was determined to take them down. I fought with every ounce of strength I had, my fists flying as I tried to protect myself.And then, I saw him. Jack. Standing in the shadows, watching me with a cold, calculating gaze.My heart skipped a beat as our eyes met. This was it. This was the moment I had been waiting for. But the f
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Chapter 21 “ We have to get out of here!” I shouted into Park’s ears. The music was loud, so I had to raise my voice. “ What do you say, Mr Hayes?” Park replied, plunging his alcoholic breath into my ears. “Oh god! You are wasted, aren't you?” I said back, looking at him in his drunken state. My eyes flashed back towards the exit, and no one was there. Not Nathan and definitely not the face of the guy I had seen. Or was I hallucinating? “ This is your victory, your night, Adrian Hayes. Why don't you relax and have some fun?” Park shouted again. “ Can I get some water? I looked at the bartender who grabbed me a bottle of water. “ Here, drink this.” I grabbed Park's hand and gave him the bottle. “ Drink that now!” I shouted again. “ Are you serious?” Park looked at me. I gave him a look that meant I meant every word coming out of my mouth, and he immediately flipped the lid. He gulped down the liquid content, and soon he was staring at me. “ You said what?” Park asked after
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Chapter 20The aftermath was chaos. All the students stormed into the ring, chanting my name and for a moment I felt like I was never an outsider. Like I actually belonged. My eyes darted towards Nathan and I could see the look on his face. Defeated and humiliated. Reporters stormed the gym like flies to honey, shoving mics and cameras in my face. Students pushed forward, half of them too stunned to speak, the other half suddenly claiming they always believed in me.“I knew he’d do it!”“Bro came out of nowhere!”“He wrecked Nathan!”“ I thought he was going to stay down.” “ Do you even believe Adrian Hates can fight all this while?” “ Is he hiding his true talent as a fighter?” ‘ I can't believe Sophia is so dumb to have dropped someone like Hayes for Nathan.” I could hear their speculations and for once I felt happy. I wasn't only stealing the spotlight but I was gradually becoming an equal with Nathan. Funny how quickly people switch sides when you’re winning.Park was still
