Chapter 3

I hopped into my car and rushed back to the university after bidding farewell to the woman.

I had just entered the building when I saw Sophie's mother, Rachel Doyle, exiting the principal's office with a big smile on her face.

I didn't approach her. Instead, I ducked into the emergency exit in the stairwell.

"See? The school won't take you seriously unless I make a fuss," Rachel said. "Didn't you tell me that your professor is a good man? You said that he would definitely sponsor you if you told him that you couldn't afford to pay your school fees."

She scoffed before continuing, "It seems that he's not as wonderful as you make him out to be. In the end, I still had to make a personal appearance.

"We can move to the city once we sell off the old house. Be careful. Don't give the plan away. We can save a lot of money if I don't have to pay for your school fees and living expenses for the next four years. We should save as much as we can."

"I understand."

It turned out that all the Martins were in on the plan.

Seconds after Sophie and Rachel left the building, I was summoned by the principal, Howard Walter, into his office.

"What's going on, Matthew?" Howard asked. "Why did the situation escalate to the point that your student's mother felt the need to show up at the school personally? The university's going to be under review soon. If you don't deal with this issue properly, you can also kiss your commendation goodbye."

Howard had always placed a great deal of trust in me. I knew that he was only questioning me for my own sake.

"I understand, Mr. Walter," I said. "I'll definitely deal with this properly."

Howard sighed and said, "It's obvious that they're intentionally causing a fuss. I already told them that the university will do everything in its power to help them. I'll leave it up to you regarding how you'll resolve this problem."

I nodded before leaving the office. I then pulled out my phone and called Sophie.

"Come to Classroom 12-01."

I chose that particular classroom because it was the only one with functioning surveillance cameras.

Fury burned in my heart when Sophie was late, but I made sure to maintain a mask of calm on my face.

"You can actually apply for a student loan," I said. "If you don't know how to do it, I can ask the other students to help you."

Sophie still looked rather hesitant.

"But I would need to pay back the loan."

"What are you trying to say?" I demanded, my tone taking on a stern edge. "Do you just want to cruise through life without putting in any effort of your own? Is that it?"

"That's not what I mean, Professor Lorenzo. It's just that it's a lot of pressure to take on a 5,000-dollar loan. I'm worried that I won't be able to pay it off in the future."

Tears streamed down Sophie's face as she spoke.

It seemed that crying had become her signature move.

When I furiously turned around to calm myself down, I spotted Jamie lurking in a corner.

It seemed that the stage was set for history to repeat itself.

However, I was determined to make Sophie and Jamie pay for the consequences of their actions this time around.

"Can you sponsor me, Professor Lorenzo?" Sophie asked. "I'll definitely pay you back after I start earning money in the future. I'll also be eternally grateful to you for your kindness."

"Who needs your gratitude?" I thought to myself.

Sophie mistakenly assumed that she had a chance when I remained silent. She continued, "I'll have to return to my hometown to get married if I can't study. I'm still so young. I don't want to waste my life away by getting married, Professor Lorenzo."

"There are plenty of ways for you to earn money while you're studying," I said patiently, hoping to convince her. "But you're insisting on waiting for someone to save you instead. I already promised you that I would help you apply for a student loan and a study-work position."

Sophie's face twisted in frustration when I refused to change my mind. She pulled out a small knife and sliced it across her arm.

Everything happened too quickly. I couldn't react in time. I hastily stepped forward and grabbed her hand, stopping her from whatever she planned to do next.

Just then, I spotted Jamie snapping photos of us from the corner of my eye.

I didn't expose him. Instead, I rushed Sophie to the infirmary.

Fortunately, the nurse declared that the cut wasn't too deep after she gave Sophie a checkup.

Sophie spoke to me in a hushed voice when we were alone, saying, "I think that I've dropped enough hints, Professor Lorenzo. Are you sure that you're not going to sponsor me?"

"I'm sure," I answered firmly, leaving no room for doubt.

"Fine."

The corners of her lips curled up into a faint smile.