Chapter 1

I turned my phone off, and my grip on the exchange program form tightened.

It crumpled as a result.

Meanwhile, my classmates continued their discussion, “Wow, Jack really knows how handsome and capable he is. I heard that dating agencies are recruiting him!”

“Well, that’s not surprising. He just returned from his studies overseas. He has a car and a house… He’s the whole package!”

“Quick, look at Professor Swift’s eyes! He’s looking at Jack as if he’s his future son-in-law!”

My classmates kept praising Jack Anderson, and Liam Swift, the professor standing behind the podium, was smiling ear to ear.

He then concluded in satisfaction, “That’s good. You’re my best student, and you have a clear plan for your future, Jack.

“God will definitely bless your marriage to—”

“Wait!” I suddenly voiced out.

Standing up before the entire class, I stared directly at Jack and smiled coldly.

“Jack, what a coincidence. We have the same ideal type.

“Fortunately for me, I’ve found my girlfriend. Her name is Cindy.”

I sounded increasingly cold as I spoke.

“Why don’t I ask Cindy later if she has a friend like her? We’ll introduce that friend to you instead.”

My words angered someone, but it was not Jack.

As if trying to protect me from his daughter, Liam threw a box of chalks at me.

The chalks left a lot of powder in my clean hair, and he started yelling at me, “Ben, keep your private matters to yourself. Do you really think you’re worthy of Cindy?

“You should break up with her if you have even an ounce of self-awareness!”

Everyone was staring at me.

I suppressed the fury in me and glared at him.

All this time, I had treated Liam with a lot of respect, as though he were already my father-in-law. So, why…?

Just then, the bell rang and temporarily de-escalated the situation.

Liam realized that he had lost his composure, so he looked away uncomfortably.

“That’s all for today. Class is dismissed.

“Oh, Jack, there’s a surprise waiting for you in the office! While we’re there, you can show me how much scholarship money you’ve racked up over the years!”

“Surprise?” I repeated with a sneer.

I had known Liam for a few years, but he never gave me any surprise.

He would hint at me to not act too close with him in class, just because I would be his future son-in-law.

I tolerated all his antics, but he would step over the lines.

Every time Cindy and I went on a date, he would find some excuse to interrupt the date without fail.

A headache, dizziness, missing his daughter… He had used every single possible excuse.

I put up with it because Cindy wanted to join an exchange program after graduation, and she wanted me to accompany her.

So, I only had to bear with Liam for a short while before graduation.

However, today…

I took a deep breath and ruffled my hair to get rid of the chalk powder. Then, I looked at my phone that had buzzed earlier.

Half an hour ago, Cindy had sent me a text message. [Ben, today’s your birthday. Let’s have a good meal at our usual spot!]

[Alright, I’m coming over.]

After I calmed down, I slid the form into my bag and went to our usual spot.

I waited for a really long time, but Cindy did not appear.

I frowned as I felt uneasy.

The next second, my phone buzzed again.

There was a new thread on the campus forum.

[Shocking news! Two guys are fighting over a girl in an elective class!]