Chapter 2
921 Words
The next morning, I was still in class when my advisor called and told me to come to his office immediately.
I pushed open the door and wasn't the least bit surprised to see Henry and Tiffany sitting inside.
Henry's wrist was wrapped in bandages. He lounged on the couch, puffing on a cigar like he had already won.
Tiffany sat beside him, touching up her lipstick, her eyes gleaming with barely concealed delight.
My advisor, Gary Hall, sat behind his desk. The moment he saw me walk in, his expression darkened.
"Sharon, what is wrong with you? On your very first day of college, you assaulted your own father and verbally abused your mother!"
He slammed his hand on the desk, putting on his little authority show.
"For a hundred years, this university has upheld its reputation. We will not allow a student with such poor character to tarnish it!"
Noticing the brand-new limited-edition Rolex on his wrist, I almost laughed.
Henry really was willing to spend big money to force me into submission.
"Mr. Hall," I said calmly as I walked over and pulled out a chair, "you saw me assault him? That was my bodyguard acting in self-defense."
"Bullshit!"
Henry shot to his feet and pointed at me. "You're a broke orphan who grew up in an orphanage. Where the hell would you get bodyguards? You've obviously been kept by some dirty old sugar daddy!"
He turned toward Gray. "Mr. Hall, a disgraceful student like her should be expelled immediately!"
Tiffany chimed in right away. "Exactly. This girl has been rotten since she was little. If the university is willing to let us discipline her, we'd be happy to donate a whole new library."
Gary's eyes practically sparkled. He coughed twice and put on a heartbroken expression.
"Sharon, your parents only want what's best for you. As long as you listen to your father, marry Mr. James, and cooperate with the compatibility testing at the hospital, I won't issue any disciplinary action. Otherwise, you'll be expelled. I'll personally make sure your misconduct goes into your permanent record. Your entire future will be ruined."
The three of them ganged up on me seamlessly, convinced they had me cornered.
In their eyes, an orphan who had just gotten into college feared one thing most.
Losing her student status.
Henry exhaled a smug cloud of smoke. "Sharon, I'll give you one last chance. Sign this marriage agreement."
He slapped a document onto the desk.
Tiffany quickly placed another one beside it. "And sign this organ donation consent form while you're at it."
I stared at the two papers in silence. "So you really think controlling my enrollment records means you can force me to sell my body and my life?"
Slowly, I reached into my bag, pulled out another document, and tossed it directly onto Gary's face.
"Mr. Hall, before you punish me, maybe you should take a good look at my ID registration and guardianship papers."
Gary froze. He picked up the file instinctively. Then his face turned pale.
"How... How is this possible?" His voice trembled.
Henry snatched the papers from his hands. A second later, his eyes widened in shock.
It was an official certificate issued by the Capital Supreme Court terminating our parent-child relationship. Alongside it was a brand-new independent ID registration booklet.
Just two months after I entered the orphanage three years ago, Conrad had already assembled an elite legal team and completely severed every legal connection between me and them.
My current registration was attached to one of the most heavily protected military compounds in the capital. The guardian section was classified. Top secret.
"Where did you get these fake documents?!" Henry tore at the papers in frustration.
"Whether they're fake or not, you're welcome to verify them yourself."
I looked at him coldly. "Legally speaking, you have absolutely no authority over me. If you continue harassing me, I can sue both of you for extortion."
Then I turned to Gary, whose forehead was already dripping with sweat.
"As for you, Mr. Hall..."
My gaze landed on his Rolex. "Accepting bribes over 100,000 dollars is enough to earn you 10 years behind bars. Would you like me to send the recording to the university president?"
Gary nearly slid off his chair.
"N-No, Sharon! This is all a misunderstanding! A huge misunderstanding!"
Henry and Tiffany were completely dumbfounded.
Neither of them had expected their trump card to mean absolutely nothing to me.
But Henry had spent years navigating the business world. He quickly regained his composure.
"Fine. You think a piece of paper is enough to get rid of me? This Friday is my award banquet for Outstanding Entrepreneur of the Year. I've invited the city's elite and every major media outlet. And I've already publicly announced your engagement to Mr. James."
Henry leaned forward with both hands pressed against the desk, glaring at me viciously.
"If you don't show up, I'll expose your dirty little secret. I'll tell everyone about how you were taken in by an old man from the orphanage. Let's see how you hold your head up after that."
Tiffany immediately caught on. "Exactly! And I'll make sure the entire internet knows what a heartless monster you are. You'd rather watch your brother die than save him."
The orphanage was my bottom line. And Conrad's name was something they weren't worthy of mentioning.
If they insisted on digging their own graves...
I smiled. "Sure. I'll be there on Friday. Right on time."
- Writer
