Chapter 003

Back on campus in the evening, Leander experienced what he never wished for—he bumped into Camila. Tension surged as they locked gazes, memories of Leander’s humiliation flooding back.

Enraged, Leander's voice quivered with hurt. "You cheat," he accused. "You dumped me all because of that brilliant fool, Rex. Imagine someone just waking up one day and telling you that he loves you; now you're falling for a playboy," he lamented, his words heavy with a mix of disbelief and unease.

“Ergh, I can't fall for a bigger coward… a scum like you! Go to hell,” Camila exclaimed with a deep scowl. “Imagine, you even had the audacity to call an asshole,”

Laughter erupted from nearby students as they eavesdropped on their conversation, finding Camila's insult to Leander amusing, simply mocking him.

They whispered, "Is this poor soul here to win over Camila?"

The murmurs from a set of students continued, "Camila is off-limits to you, got it? Don't let the catch you here, or you'll be treated like a rogue wolf.”

Like wildfire, the hushed conversations turned Leander into a laughingstock.

"It would be a big error if you pursue Rex's interest," mused another voice among the students.

"Are you the only one with perfect senses? It's a mystery how you even fit in this world." Camila sneered at Leander, her words dripping with venom.

Arms folded tightly across her chest, she said sarcastically, her words cutting through the tension, "People like you reek of desperation for your poor lifestyle. There's a high possibility you could run off with £1.5 million.”

Leander, his voice barely audible, responded with a soft glare, "I’m not like you, who chose to be a gold digger. All I know is that the culprit behind the fraud is no secret."

"Ahh, are you implying Rex after I saved you from being beaten by his cronies?" Camila's curiosity was evident in her stern expression.

Camila shot him a sharp look before responding defensively, "You're such an ungrateful kind. So, now you fancy yourself a detective?” She shrug off, her piercing eyes gleaming with interest, “Okay, I want to know who stole it,”

Leander's response was dismissive. "I don't need to mention anyone because you're not worth standing in my presence," he retorted, choosing not to divulge further information.

Infuriated, Camila replied, "Who the hell are you? I'm far better than a useless pauper. I don't even worth standing in your presence because our words and you yourself stink.” She gasped and continued, her words muffled, “Actually, I won't over overlook your cowardice. You admitted knowing who did it, and now you're changing the story.”

Leander's heart sank as Camila delivered another cutting insult. Memories of their past happiest moments flooded his mind, contrasting sharply with the mistreatment he endured from Hawthorne's family, which had left him destitute. Seeing Camila's darker side only deepened his trauma, and he struggled to hold back tears.

"Camila, your insults have only fueled my determination. I'll soon surpass Rex, the heir of the Kensington family, in power, wealth, and influence," Leander declared.

Camila laughed mockingly. "Uh-oh, keep dreaming, Leander. As long as I remember the day you begged me for ten pounds to eat, your fantasies will remain just that—fantasies."

Leander's voice turned steely. "To those who betrayed me, to those who made me a laughingstock, I'm coming to serve you all a delicacy of regret," he vowed, his words barely above a whisper.

Leander, upset and desperate, shook his head and turned away from Camila in silence. But then, he tripped and fell. Seizing the moment, Camila hissed and sarcastically mocked him, "Ugh, don't fall for me, loser. I don't need someone like you anymore.”

Disregarding her words, Leander stood up and walked away.

Shortly after, Rex emerged, thrilling his devoted group of students. Rex approached her, opening his arm and wrapping her in a tight embrace.

The boisterous cheers and accolades filled the air, boosting Rex's ego.

Sensing Rex's unease, Camila asked with a touch of worry in her tiny tone, "Is everything alright? I have asked why you were arrested earlier but you refused to say anything."

Rex took a deep breath, wearing a feigned look of admission. "I've been dragged into this £1.5 million fraud mess by a friend. Figuring out how to get out of it isn't easy because I still want to help my friends out of the mess too."

Camila, confused, shook her head in anxiety. "Are you serious?" she queried.

He nodded firmly. "Of course, I am."

Glancing at his watch, Rex hinted at the time before muttering, "Remember I promised you a birthday party? I've already booked an event hall, and we'll be heading there in the next thirty minutes." Whispers of joy from the surrounding students eager to attend the party drowned out his voice.

Overwhelmed, Camila squeezed her eyes shut and was at a loss for how to express her gratitude.

"Marcella, where are you?" Rex's voice echoed through the grand hall as he spun around to search for her. In a swift response, Marcella emerged, her voice audible, "Here I'm,"

With a determined stride, Rex approached her. "The custom-made gown I requested, do you have it? Camila needs it for the party," he instructed, urgency lacing his tone.

After an hour.

The party has begun. While Rex and his fellow students enjoyed themselves at the birthday extravaganza, Leander was left stranded at the train station, his pockets devoid of transport fare.

Feeling frustrated and isolated, Leander sank onto a bench beneath the flickering lights, contemplating his situation. With a resigned sigh, he reached for his button phone, fingers moving swiftly to check his meager funds. Yet, amidst the dim glow of the screen, a ray of hope pierced through—a message, previously overlooked: "You have been credited with £2,000…” The alert had arrived nearly two weeks prior, a fact that left Leander stunned by his oversight.

Spooked yet exhilarated, Leander's heart surged with joy as he delved into the details, only to discover that it wasn't merely two thousand but a staggering two million Great Britain Pounds.

Doubting reality, he quickly counted the zeros after the first digit, sending a delightful shiver down his spine.

"Oh God, this is unbelievable!" He cheered, overwhelmed by the unexpected fortune.

Leander savored the moment feeling like he hit the jackpot for the first time in his life.

As Leander processed the unexpected windfall, doubt crept in. No sender's name? Was this deposit linked to the missing £1.5 million, aiming to implicate him?