“Yaya, we’ve got a friendly match tonight. You in?”
The message popped up from “Dark,” Vivian Wen’s gaming partner and longtime online friend.
“Not tonight,” Vivian replied simply.
“Something wrong? You don’t sound happy.”
Vivian paused, a little surprised he could read her mood so easily through text.
Maybe it was because she needed someone to talk to—her fingers flew across the keyboard, telling Dark everything that had happened with Bianca Fang and Arthur Yao at the restaurant.
Though she had stood up for herself that night, Arthur’s threat still echoed in her mind like a splinter in her chest.
Four years of perfect behavior, top grades, spotless records—yet right before graduation, she was facing the possibility of expulsion.
She hadn’t done anything wrong.
But in a fight with the dean, how could a powerless student ever win?
She sighed quietly at her screen.
Dark—whose real name was Mike Lu, a wealthy graduate student overseas—responded with a flood of furious messages, cursing the corruption and hypocrisy of people like Arthur and Bianca.
“Don’t worry,” he ended with, “people like them never stay smug for long.”
His words, though simple, brought her a small measure of comfort.
Feeling lighter, Vivian shut down her laptop, washed up, and went to bed.

The next morning, as she finished getting ready, her phone rang.
It was her academic counselor.
“Vivian Wen, please come to the Dean’s Office right away.”
Her stomach dropped.
She had expected this, but the fact that the Dean of the entire university was involved made her nervous.
Could they really be planning to expel her?
Just as she was about to leave, her phone rang again—
Simon Min.
“Mr. Min?” she answered, startled. “You’re calling so early—what’s wrong?”
Simon’s deep voice came through, calm but concerned.
“The dean we met last night… he hasn’t caused you any more trouble, has he?”
The warmth behind his words caught her off guard.
He was… worried about her.
“The chief dean called me in just now,” she said. “I’m guessing it’s about that. But don’t worry—I’m like a cockroach. Tough to kill.”
“You sound worried,” Simon said quietly.
She laughed softly, caught off guard again.
He saw right through her.
“Of course I am,” she admitted. “He’s the dean. I’m just a student with no voice.”
“I believe,” Simon said evenly, “that they’ll all get what they deserve.”
Vivian smiled faintly. “I’ll hold you to that. Anyway, I’ve got to go. Talk later.”
She hung up, straightened her clothes, and walked out the door—
like a soldier marching into battle.

The top floor of the administrative building smelled faintly of polished wood and old paper.
Vivian followed the directions her counselor had given, until she found a brass nameplate that read Chief Dean’s Office.
She took a deep breath and pushed the door open.
Inside sat three people:
The Chief Dean, Arthur Yao, and Bianca Fang.
Vivian forced a polite smile.
“Dean.”
The chief dean’s expression was stern.
“Vivian Wen,” he began coldly, “you have been reported for engaging in inappropriate relationships both on and off campus. Dean Yao has confirmed this matter personally. He says he has repeatedly warned you, but you refused to change your behavior and even spoke to him disrespectfully. After discussing the matter, we have decided to expel you from the university.”
Vivian’s hands clenched tightly at her sides.
She looked at Arthur and Bianca—both smirking with petty satisfaction—and her anger boiled beneath her ribs.
“Dean,” she said firmly, “I didn’t do any of those things. I discovered that Bianca Fang and Dean Yao were having an improper relationship, and now they’re working together to slander me and push me out of school.”
“Vivian Wen!” Arthur exploded, shooting to his feet.
“As dean, I have always acted fairly and honorably toward my students! You will not spread such vile lies in this office!”
Bianca’s eyes shimmered with fake tears.
“Dean,” she said softly, voice trembling just enough to sound convincing, “Vivian has always been trouble. She loves making up stories to cover her own faults—and now she’s even fabricating this to smear both of us!”
“Enough!”
The chief dean raised a hand to silence them both, then looked at Vivian impatiently.
“The university has investigated the matter and reached a conclusion. Notify your parents and complete the withdrawal process. You’re dismissed.”
Vivian’s stomach twisted.
It was clear now—they had planned this together long before she walked in.
No matter what she said, the verdict was already written.
All the frustration, all the rumors she had endured over the years—
they crashed over her in that instant.
She bit her lip hard, digging her nails into her palm, refusing to let the tears fall.
She would not cry in front of these people.

Suddenly, the office door burst open.
Several men in sharp suits entered, their polished shoes clicking against the marble floor.
The chief dean froze.
“President Wen? Minister Liang?”
He jumped to his feet in alarm.
It was Victor Wen, vice president of Huasheng Group, the university’s largest sponsor—
and beside him, Minister Liang from the Department of Education.
What were these two heavyweights doing here—now?