Chapter 2

I placed the tablet face down on the nightstand, finding the situation ridiculous. "Did you look into Ella's handbag, Richard?"

Richard sounded furious. "I looked into it and found out that the handbag was authentic, bought from an official store yesterday afternoon for 5,000 dollars.

"I also ran a background check on her. It turned out that she's been faking her financial situation. Her parents own a chain of supermarkets back in her hometown and have three properties under their names.

"She only got approved for that financial aid because she's dating the student council vice president running the screening process. She's been using your financial aid to hit up high-end bars and buy designer goods to act like some rich socialite.

"When you caught her showing off her handbag in the group chat, she panicked about being investigated. So she preemptively posted that stuff online to frame you, Mr. Goodwin."

I listened to him in silence. I wasn't even angry—just a faint sense of bitterness from finally seeing the truth for what it was.

Just then, my phone buzzed with a notification. Jeff Zimmerman, a core member of the company's board, had sent me a message.

"Your personal matter has seriously affected the company's reputation, Hugo. The company's stock price is expected to come under significant pressure when the market opens this morning.

"The board is ordering you to step down immediately, cooperate with the Charity Federation's investigation, and reflect on what happened. If you fail to handle this properly, your succession rights will be denied."

It turned out that the matter went beyond mere public backlash. Ella's actions had directly threatened my core interests.

Richard said nervously, "There are over a dozen media crews gathered downstairs. There are also independent streamers going live outside the company building. Do you think I should upload Ella's transaction records online to set the record straight, Mr. Goodwin?"

I stared at the flashing lights outside before replying, "If we release the evidence right now, the internet will just say we forged the transaction records. It's clear that they believe the wealthy can manipulate anything, and they'd rather see a female university student as the victim in the situation."

"What should we do, then?" Richard asked. "Do we really have to take this slander lying down?"

I opened my WhatsApp and located the sponsorship group chat, "Kingsford University Sponsorship Group". I noticed that more than 60 people in the group chat were completely silent. No one had spoken up for me.

I scoffed and typed out a message. "I'm withdrawing all sponsorships effective immediately in order to avoid any suspicion and prove my innocence."

In less than ten minutes after pressing send, the silent group chat erupted. They were panicking and asking questions all at once, and a lot of them messaged me pleading for another chance.

Richard went quiet on the other end of the phone. "What are you trying to do, Mr. Goodwin?"

I looked at the heated messages filling the group chat. "You should give it some time to play out, Richard. I need you to notify the legal department and tell them that I want every document for withdrawing the funding on my desk tomorrow morning."

…

Richard walked into my office at 9:00 am the following day.

"Mr. Goodwin, the investigator from the Charity Federation has arrived. And Mr. Sullivan, the vice president of Kingsford University, is here as well."

I noticed a middle-aged man walking in behind him, accompanied by a smiling, heavyset man.

Fred Sullivan, the vice president of Kingsford University, extended a hand as soon as he stepped through the door.

"I'm sorry for the trouble, Mr. Goodwin. Those students are truly young and reckless for putting you through this whole ordeal."

I didn't reach out to shake his hand, just pointing toward the couch on the other side.

Mr. Sullivan withdrew his hand with an embarrassed look and took a seat.

Joseph Lang, the investigator from the Charity Federation, opened his notebook with a stern expression.

"We need your cooperation regarding the online reports accusing you of using your sponsorship program to engage in misconduct, Mr. Goodwin."

Mr. Lang spoke in a formal, businesslike tone, scrutinizing me as he did.

"Ella Lowe has provided screenshots that show you putting her down in the group chat. She also claimed you conducted verbal harassment toward her in private."