LOGIN“QUIET. My decision is final. Since the root of this entire problem comes from just one person, she is the one who has to leave, as much as it pains me to make this call. Ms. Elena Castillo, I have to revoke your scholarship—”Before Professor Santiago could finish speaking, the door to the office opened with a loud thud in the suddenly silent room.A broad-shouldered, middle-aged man stepped inside, wearing a sharply tailored custom gray suit. His gray hair was neatly styled, and a pair of sharp, charismatic eyes gleamed behind thin glasses.Dominic Vega.The aura he brought into the room was overwhelming, his authority clear even without saying a word.Julian immediately looked away, avoiding his dad's eyes, and went completely silent. Beside him, Arthur watched his father closely, his eyebrows raised.Meanwhile, Elena Castillo kept her head bowed low, her fingers tightly laced together. Guilt gnawed at her heart. This was all because of her—both of Dominic's sons were now in troubl
"That photo... that post on the forum... it was you, wasn't it?!" Julian demanded, his voice trembling violently. "I did everything you wanted, Val! I tried so hard to stay away from Elena just like you asked!""You're accusing me without a single shred of proof, Jules? Why would I waste my time and energy on some poor college girl?" Valeria dodged, folding her arms and turning her face away to avoid his hawkish glare."Drop the act! I know your playbook inside and out!" Julian snapped."Oh, really?" Valeria challenged, jutting her chin out with fire in her eyes. "Those are pretty bold accusations, Jules. You better watch yourself—you don't want to cross me.""Or what? You're gonna use your empty threats on me again, huh? Guess what, they don't work anymore. You crossed the line when you got Elena's scholarship revoked. That was my breaking point, and I'm done playing your games!" Julian declared, turning on his heel to walk away.Panic seized Valeria. She suddenly realized she had re
The trashy allegations glowing on her phone screen shattered every last shred of hope left inside Elena. The photos had been twisted into a cheap, scandalous narrative—one designed to obliterate her reputation as a Solverde scholar.To Elena, the Solverde scholarship wasn't just financial aid to cover tuition; it was her self-respect, her sole ticket to a future built with blood, sweat, and tears. And the moral clause in that scholarship contract was burned into her memory:Severe ethical violations or romantic scandals involving faculty members will result in immediate expulsion, removal from campus, and a permanent blacklist."El... are you okay?" whispered Ingrid, a classmate standing beside her, her voice laced with concern as she took in Elena’s pale, hollow expression."This isn't true," Elena choked out, trying with everything she had to fight off the wave of panic crashing over her chest. "I was just helping treat Mr. Arthur’s injuries in the lab. That’s all it was! I swear...
"You cheap, shameless slut!" Valeria shrieked, her voice shattering the quiet late-night air in the dorm hallway. "How dare you try to seduce my boyfriend!"The air hitched Elena’s throat.She couldn't bring herself to offer a defense; the whole situation had caught her completely off guard. Her tongue felt completely tied under the glare of Valeria’s hatred. Shame, shock, and the lingering electricity of Julian’s impulsive kiss slammed into her all at once.Before Valeria could take another step forward or raise a hand against her, a muscular arm pulled Valeria into a tight embrace, shielding her."Enough. Stop making a scene. I just want to rest, okay?" Julian pleaded, wincing through the pain as he gently stroked the top of Valeria’s head.Valeria squirmed against him, trying to break free so she could tear into Elena."Let me go, Jules! I’m not letting this girl take advantage of you while you're down!" Valeria spat."She was just trying to help... Don't blow this out of proportio
Ever since that agonizing confrontation in the gym hallway, Elena’s attention had shifted entirely to Arthur.In the biology lab, she barely let him lift a finger. She made sure the young TA rested between shift schedules, brought him ice packs wrapped in clean towels, brewed hot tea unprompted, and meticulously tended to his forehead injury whenever his bandages needed changing.Whenever Julian passed the glass corridor outside, the sight cut straight to his chest.Through the glass wall, he watched how gently and carefully she pressed the cold compress to Arthur’s bruised cheek. Seeing the way Arthur looked back at her made Julian clench his fists so hard his knuckles turned white—he wanted nothing more than to leave a few more bruises on the guy's face.The jealousy burning in his chest, tangled with his guilt toward Arthur, completely hijacked Julian's mind. His head was a total mess, and he couldn't focus on a single thing.It showed at football practice that afternoon.During we
The clinking of glass tubes inside the lab could be heard early that morning. Elena Castillo stood before her workbench, organizing rows of test tubes and petri dishes that had been freshly sterilized, her focus unbroken.The soft push of the glass door made Elena turn out of reflex. But the moment her eyes caught the figure stepping inside, her grip on the test tube tongs weakened—almost causing her to drop them onto the cluster of fragile glassware."Arthur?" Elena whispered, her eyes widening.Arthur Vega, who had intended to slip in unnoticed and hide in his office all day, winced, caught red-handed."Good morning, Elena," Arthur greeted at last, trying to avert his face. "Go on with your work, I won't disturb you," he dodged, sidestepping toward his office."Wait!" Elena called out, halting him in his tracks.He winced again in defeat.Elena set the tongs down immediately and hurried over to him. Her hands hovered hesitantly in the air, unsure of which part of Arthur's face looke







