CHAPTER 110: SHOCKING RESULT

Becky was also an lady in the harem who Jayden hadn’t been laid with. He remembered that the moment she gave that final statement, as she swiftly approached with a wry smile on her cheeks.

"My hero..."

That name she always called him... Jayden was always captivated with it.

She then joined Charlotte in the stand after getting a good moment of touches from her man, and the rest was history...

*****

The campus hall was buzzing with anxious murmurs. All final-year students from the Business and Tech Department had gathered under the giant oak tree in front of the Faculty Board. A wide screen had been mounted to show the long-awaited results of the Final Exam.

Jayden arrived early, as he stood at the back of the crowd, his hands stuffed into his pockets.

His expression was unreadable, but his heartbeat wasn’t. It thudded in his chest like a war drum. Not because he feared the outcome... No, he had done what needed to be done. He had given his all, well thanks to his brilliance and the system too.

Still, there was something heavy in the air. A tension that even the birds seemed to respect, silencing their morning chirps.

The professor then stepped forward, holding a tablet. His eyes were sharp, just like every other result announcement day.

The scores were actually calculated in points, but their were positioned right after, with the student with the highest point topping the list.

"Let’s begin," he announced through the mic, his voice crackling slightly. "These are the top five students from the Department of Strategic Business for the 2066 Final Exam."

The students leaned forward collectively, silence overlapping the air.

"Fifth place... Michelle Noah."

Applause followed, short and light, as she stepped forward to receive it.

"Fourth place... David Liam."

A louder cheer rose this time. Everyone knew him. He was the kind that read a lot.

"Third place... Paula Ederson."

"Yessss!!!" Someone screamed, as Paula grinned from the side, her cheeks glowing with pride. She raised both hands shyly as some classmates clapped and patted her back.

Jayden smiled slightly, as she made sure to give him a kiss before heading for her result.

She deserves it. No doubt.

Someone as intelligent as her can’t settle for a result lesser than that.

"Second place... Benjamin Keiran."

Everyone clapped for the second best boy in class, calmly waiting for the real Mr. Intelligent, which almost everyone knows.

Then came the pause...

And the shock...

"First place... Royce Kingsley!"

A roar erupted.

"WHOA! What?!"

Royce, standing at the front with his arms folded, smirked and turned to the crowd like a celebrity receiving an award. He even waved, like a politician, before stepping up to the small podium.

"Thank you, thank you," Royce began with his usual cocky grin. "But honestly, I’m not surprised. I’ve always said hard work beats hype. You know the funny thing? It’s not just about being popular, or dramatic, or loud online... It’s about brains. Strategy. Intellect."

Some of the students chuckled in disbelief. Others exchanged awkward glances. Everyone knew who that speech was meant for.

Jayden’s name hadn’t been called.

He was calm. He didn’t move, but it was certain they he was completely stunned inside.

On a normal day, the Royce Kingsley everyone knows won’t be able to make it to the top ten in best results!

What the heck was going on?

More names began to roll down the screen, now showing the rankings from sixth place downward.

Sixth... seventh... tenth...

Everyone was eye-wide by not still seeing Jayden’s name.

Fifteenth...

Seventeenth.

And finally...

Jayden Cole’s name blinked on the screen, next to the number 17.

It was as if the world paused for a split second.

The crowd reacted slowly... Murmurs first, then whispers, then stunned silence.

"Wait, what?"

"Jayden is... seventeenth?"

"That can’t be right."

"Seventeenth? Nah, that’s a mistake..."

Even Paula’s brows drew close together. She turned to look for Jayden.

But he was already walking away.

Just like that.

No outrage, no protest.

Just silence.

He couldn’t just hold the feeling, and figured that walking away was the best thing.

However, Royce wasn’t going to let the moment slide.

"Seventeenth?" he said aloud, his voice raised so everyone could hear. "The so-called genius? Our own school celeb? Mr. Billionaire Dreams? Wow."

A few students laughed nervously.

"This is why you don’t run your mouth before the race even starts. This is why you keep your head down and do the work."

Still, Jayden didn’t look back.

He just kept walking.

And that annoyed Royce more than anything.

"Yeah, walk away! Classic move," Royce called out in a bellow.

But Jayden still didn’t say a word. He didn’t even flinch.

Behind him, Paula hurried to catch up. Her heels clicked against the pavement as she caught his arm gently. "Jayden... wait up."

Jayden had to stop, only for her. The hallway leading away from the board was almost empty now.

"Hey," she said softly. "What happened?"

Jayden’s face was calm, but his eyes... There was something buried deep in them.

Something brewing.

"I don’t know yet," he said quietly.

"Seventeenth? There has to be a mistake," Paula said, her voice full of concern.

Jayden nodded slowly. "Maybe."

"But... we all know you... You are the most... You..."

Paula was trying to put her frustration into words but Jayden then had to stop her from stammering.

"Hey, it’s okay. I’d surely get to the root of this. After all, this doesn’t change much. I’d be fine," Jayden said.

Paula nodded and placed a hand on his chest. "Don’t let it get to you, my love... It’s just mere. It’s not even the real game."

Atfen smiled at her and nodded, then he kissed her on the lips before finally heading to his Nova X and drove off.

He knew one thing for sure...

"That’s not my results."

******

Meanwhile, when the area was now deserted, Royce and Richy walked into the Professor’s office, scrutinizing the area to know if they were being noticed by someone.

There was no one however...

The professor gave him a strong look as he approached him, with Royce giving an excited yet villainous smile.

"Great job well done. I’m going to double it for you, old man," he said.

"It’s a very risky act. You and I know that," Professor Bernard said.

"Yeah, I do. In that case, let’s make it triple the agreed amount. Satisfied?" Royce asked.

Professor Bernard didn’t hesitate.

"Yes. I have forwarded my details."

"Sent. That’s that’s six hundred thousand dollars. Enjoy!" Royce said as he attempted to leave.

But...

"Wait!" Professor Bernard called back...

"What?" Royce asked as he turned.

"What if he finds out?" The middle-aged asked, his face slightly troubled.

However, Royce only laughed to that question and didn’t flinch.

"Well, if he finds out..."

"That’s on you."