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THE REJECTED GENIUS 38
Chapter 38“ And what is this that you are trying to do?” Nathan snapped at me, stopping me halfway.“ Back off. You know by now that Sophia is mine!” Nathan said angrily. I let out a laugh that made many of the students wonder if I was going nuts.“ Really? Why don't you tell the whole students how you tried to have Tessa raped and how you have been double dating. I guess Sophia is a fool if she decides to stick with someone like you.”Sophia looked at Nathan, “ I saw what happened. One thing is certain, Adrian would never try to have anyone raped. He has never done it when we were together and I don't think he is going to try now.”“Oh really, I can see that you are now defending the idiot.” Nathan scowled at her. “ Why don't you go back to being his girlfriend? You both are going to make a fine couple.” Nathan jested.“ Did he hurt you?” I asked, staring at her neck. I could see that her neck was bruised the minute Nathan tried to hold my hands. “ Can you leave? I am going to come
THE REJECTED GENIUS 39
Chapter 39I lay back on my bed, staring at the ceiling. I had tried calling Tessa a few times, but she was not picking up. I knew I had created a bad impression of myself. It was obvious the Davenports hated me by now, but I needed to create another chance for myself.Another opportunity to redeem myself. I remember Mr. Clinton had talked about sponsoring a group of students at the university. If I could help him with the sponsor, then I knew it was a start.I looked at the video I was holding, and I knew it could change a lot of things for me. But first I was going to make a fool out of Nathan and Tessa; I was going to make her jealous, and she would wish she would come back to me.First, I need to make my move. I got up from the bed, entered into the bathroom, and had a clean shave. I was going to call Zee and take her out for dinner.That was a brilliant plan. I didn't even care if it was reckless or if I wasn't thinking it through. I needed to show Tessa it was all about the cont
THE REJECTED GENIUS 40
Chapter 40The words hit me like tidal waves and I couldn't believe I was falling for Zee. It was just a strategy. Something to keep me distracted. I looked at the tape Jessica gave to me and wondered if it was the real stuff.I haven't checked it for quite some time now but I need to know if it was what I needed. I tossed it into my drawer with the thought of looking it up when I came back.My mind drifted back to Leo’s question for a moment.Did I like Zee?It sounded absurd when said aloud, but I couldn't shake off the lingering feeling that clung to me like a second skin. Maybe it wasn’t love. Maybe it was just the thrill—the temptation of being wanted, especially after how much rejection I had tasted lately.I adjusted my shirt collar in the mirror, trying not to overthink it. Tonight wasn’t about love. It was about strategy. About winning back my dignity and making Tessa see what she had thrown away.It was about control.Grabbing my car keys off the table, I gave Leo a wink. “D
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
THE REJECTED GENIUS 2
Chapter 2 : The Breaking PointI didn’t sleep that night.How could I?Not after what happened to me. I was miserable, that feeling of being ridiculed. I felt lesser than I had already felt for myself. Every time I closed my eyes, I heard laughter. I saw Sophia’s face, twisted with amusement, as if my feelings—my existence—were nothing but a joke to her. I had spent years believing she was different. That she saw me, understood me. But she had just been like the rest of them.I stared at the cracked ceiling of my dorm room, the cheap fan humming above me. Unlike most students at Northvale University, I didn’t have a luxury penthouse or a private suite. My scholarship covered tuition, but everything else? That was on me. A single bed, a wobbly desk, and a closet that barely fit my thrift-store clothes.I let out a slow breath, forcing myself to sit up. My stomach made a funny sound telling me I needed to feed. But I had skipped dinner last night. And breakfast? That wasn’t an opti
THE REJECTED GENIUS 3
Chapter 3: The Click That Changed EverythingMy fingers hovered over the screen, my pulse loudly rising in my ears.“Congratulations, Adrian Hayes. You are the rightful heir to the Hayes Conglomerate. Access your inheritance now?”I reread the words, my breathing was reggae and I could feel my skin burn up. Is this true?This had to be a joke.I had no rich relatives. No secret billionaire grandfather. The only Hayes I knew was my mother, who worked herself to the bone-cleaning hotel rooms just to make sure I could afford food.I looked up again, searching for the man in the suit.But he was gone. A chill ran down my spine. Was I being watched? Targeted? I clenched my phone tighter, my mind racing.This was a scam. It had to be.And yet…My thumb hovered over the YES button.I should ignore it. Delete the email. Walk away.But a voice in my head whispered, What do you have to lose?I was broke. Humiliated. Barely surviving in a world that didn’t want me.If this was real—even a tiny
THE REJECTED GENIUS 4
Chapter 4: A Glimpse of PowerI stepped outside Northvale University’s grand entrance, and I looked around to see a glimpse of a new world. Everything had changed in a matter of hours. I wasn't the broke, poverty-stricken boy I was anymore. I was something else now and I don't even know the title I could give to myself. Everything was happening so fast. The money. The assets. The power.And yet, no one knew.Not Nathan. Not Sophia. Not the students who had mocked me for years. But they will.My phone buzzed again.Unknown Number: "The car is ready. Location: West Gate."I inhaled sharply, my fingers tightening around the device.I had never been picked up from school before. While the other students showed off their chauffeurs and luxury cars, I had always walked to the nearest bus stop, trying to manage every dollar.But today?Today, I would leave like a king. The West Gate was the least crowded part of the school, reserved for VIP drop-offs and pick-ups.A sleek, black Rolls-Roy
THE REJECTED GENIUS 5
Chapter 5: Back to the Lions' DenThe next morning, I arrived at Northvale University differently.No more cheap hoodies and second-hand sneakers. No more avoiding the rich or avoiding eye contact.I stepped out of the sleek black Bentley dressed in a tailored suit—nothing too expensive, but enough to make the students talk and definitely enough to make people look twice.And they did.Students paused on-going conversation as they saw me walk into the school compound. Some stared outright, others whispered, confused.The school’s rich and elite students—the ones who had laughed at me, walked past me in hallways and treated me like I was nothing -- were suddenly interested in me. I smirked. I knew they were all surprised not to see me in my poverty-stricken clothes.I walked through the halls, with my head high. The shift was immediate. Where people once ignored me, they now made space. The same students who had mocked me just yesterday suddenly avoids eye contact, as if sensing som
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Chapter 40The words hit me like tidal waves and I couldn't believe I was falling for Zee. It was just a strategy. Something to keep me distracted. I looked at the tape Jessica gave to me and wondered if it was the real stuff.I haven't checked it for quite some time now but I need to know if it was what I needed. I tossed it into my drawer with the thought of looking it up when I came back.My mind drifted back to Leo’s question for a moment.Did I like Zee?It sounded absurd when said aloud, but I couldn't shake off the lingering feeling that clung to me like a second skin. Maybe it wasn’t love. Maybe it was just the thrill—the temptation of being wanted, especially after how much rejection I had tasted lately.I adjusted my shirt collar in the mirror, trying not to overthink it. Tonight wasn’t about love. It was about strategy. About winning back my dignity and making Tessa see what she had thrown away.It was about control.Grabbing my car keys off the table, I gave Leo a wink. “D
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Chapter 39I lay back on my bed, staring at the ceiling. I had tried calling Tessa a few times, but she was not picking up. I knew I had created a bad impression of myself. It was obvious the Davenports hated me by now, but I needed to create another chance for myself.Another opportunity to redeem myself. I remember Mr. Clinton had talked about sponsoring a group of students at the university. If I could help him with the sponsor, then I knew it was a start.I looked at the video I was holding, and I knew it could change a lot of things for me. But first I was going to make a fool out of Nathan and Tessa; I was going to make her jealous, and she would wish she would come back to me.First, I need to make my move. I got up from the bed, entered into the bathroom, and had a clean shave. I was going to call Zee and take her out for dinner.That was a brilliant plan. I didn't even care if it was reckless or if I wasn't thinking it through. I needed to show Tessa it was all about the cont
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Chapter 38“ And what is this that you are trying to do?” Nathan snapped at me, stopping me halfway.“ Back off. You know by now that Sophia is mine!” Nathan said angrily. I let out a laugh that made many of the students wonder if I was going nuts.“ Really? Why don't you tell the whole students how you tried to have Tessa raped and how you have been double dating. I guess Sophia is a fool if she decides to stick with someone like you.”Sophia looked at Nathan, “ I saw what happened. One thing is certain, Adrian would never try to have anyone raped. He has never done it when we were together and I don't think he is going to try now.”“Oh really, I can see that you are now defending the idiot.” Nathan scowled at her. “ Why don't you go back to being his girlfriend? You both are going to make a fine couple.” Nathan jested.“ Did he hurt you?” I asked, staring at her neck. I could see that her neck was bruised the minute Nathan tried to hold my hands. “ Can you leave? I am going to come
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Chapter 37The school bubbled over with what happened at Davenport's home. I needed to save face, but Tessa did not give me the listening ears that I needed.“ Do you think she is avoiding me?” I asked, staring at Park. “ I don't know, Adrian. I think you both need to sort that out again. Why don't you use this opportunity to bring Sophia back into the game? Tell her she was a side chick all along and Nathan has eyes on the ultimate prize.”“ And what is the ultimate price?” I asked with my eyebrows arched a bit. “ Do I need to spell it out for you, Adrian? Honestly, you need to start leveling games with Nathan. He thinks he is smart, but he is not. You need to let him see that.”“ Did you hear that Adrian tried to rape Tessa?” One of the students asked.“ What? I thought they were dating. Why?”“ I guess Tessa had been playing games with him all along. If I were Adrian, I would be angry as well.”I clenched my fist in anger as the whispering started getting louder. “ We need to do so
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Chapter 36Nathan fell to the ground with a loud thud, his head hitting the marble floor with a crack that echoed through the hall. Tessa was backed into the wall, her eyes wide with shock and fear, her dress slightly torn at the shoulder.“Adrian?” Her voice trembled.I turned to her immediately, my eyes scanning her face, and her arms, searching for any more signs of harm. “Are you okay?” I asked, my voice barely concealing the rage boiling inside me.Tessa nodded shakily, but I could tell she was anything but fine.Park rushed in just a second later, his eyes flicking from Nathan’s crumpled body to Tessa and then to me. “What the hell happened here?” he asked.Nathan groaned, trying to sit up, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.“He tried to hurt her,” I spat. “He pushed her. Cornered her. I heard her scream.”“You’ve lost your damn mind,” Nathan snarled, wiping the blood with his sleeve. “She was the one being dramatic.”Tessa stepped forward then, her voice stronger tha
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Chapter 35My eyes darted, and I couldn't find Tessa or Nathan anymore. The way Nathan had talked to her. I felt Tessa might be in trouble even in her own house. “ I need to go,” I said immediately, my eyes dancing around the people who were in the hall. “ I just told you that she is fine. You don't need to bother yourself.” Zed said, grabbing my hands. “ Grab me once more, and you are going to see the other side of me!” I said, my voice laced with fury. Zed slowly let go of my hands with awe. She had never seen me like that before, or should I say she doesn't know much about me? Park walked towards me, his gaze fixed on mine. “ What is it, Adrian?” He asked, looking at me. “ I need you to find her,” I said immediately, tiptoeing to have a glance over the heads of many people who had come to the occasion. “ Who exactly are you looking for, and as for the meeting with her parents? How did it go?” “I need to find Tessa,” I said quickly. “ She will be fine, Adrian. You don't need t
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Chapter 34The night air was cool. The gentle breeze clashed against my face as I stared into the night. My hands are in my pocket with a lot on my mind.I had lots on my mind. I needed to prove myself and also show Nathan he was way beneath me. But then, my mind drifted back to Damien and his father.I knew Damien, he wouldn't take things lightly with me if he got to know the truth. I had managed to calm him down but what thing got out of hand?What if he knew I had played him and his father all along?I needed to think fast and plan ahead. My eyes darted through the crowd and it landed on Park. I let out a smile seeing that he was enjoying himself.He was with a lady I had seen earlier. She was in a velvet gown and she was stunning. I knew she was a woman of caliber too. No one was invited casually except you were rich and worth it. It was a circle of elites and people with power.I was a little taken aback because I don't know much about Park aside from the fact that he holds grud
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Chapter 33“ Boys, why don't we calm down? We are here for the party. Why don't we make this show a little lively?” Tessa’s father said, looking at both of them. “ How?” Nathan asked, staring at Tessa's face. The fact that I had to share Tessa with him again was very insulting to me. He had Sophia taken for me, and now this too. I know I had approached Tessa with a mission, but then Tessa is mine, and I won't allow him to take her.Not this time. “ Does she know about this?” I asked, my eyes darting towards Nathan. “ Does anyone know? And why do I have to tell her? Do you know how many women and ladies lust after me? I don't need to tell someone like you because you will never understand. You will never belong to our world.” Nathan taunted. My gaze darted towards Clifton, who looked at me. I was going to make him change his decision. I was going to make Nathan lose the arrangement he had with the Davenports, and I was going to win again tonight. “ Well, I believe I know what is r
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Chapter 32 The Davenport estate was the kind of place you only saw in glossy magazines or real estate shows—marble floors, gold-trimmed archways, a chandelier so large it could crush a man, and servants moving about in the large mansion.Every inch of it whispered wealth, power, and meticulous control. Tonight would be the stage for a battle not of fists—but of dominance, wits, and charm.I adjusted the cuffs of my charcoal suit, my reflection glaring back at me from the mirrored wall. Park had insisted I wear something that screamed wealth but whispered power. I took his advice. There was no room for second-guessing tonight.“Ready?” Park asked from behind, leaning casually against the oak door frame of my suite.“No,” I replied truthfully. “But I have no intention of losing.” I looked at Park who seemed to be uncomfortable in his own suit. “ Can you stop doing that?” “ Doing what?” Park asked, staring at me. “ You know what you are doing. You look good and dashing. Who knows, y
