Chapter 2

2

What kind of scheme was she cooking up now?

Losing contact with a student is enough to drive any advisor crazy.

Especially when that student has bad intentions.

While I was frantic, I suddenly remembered a certain place.

I pulled out the student registry and found her home address.

I immediately jumped in my car and drove toward her hometown.

But Mia and her family weren't there.

As I was wondering where she could have gone, my colleague Caleb called me.

"Professor Brooks, you need to get back here fast. Mia's mother is here. She's making a huge scene in the Principal's office."

I didn't have time to think. I turned the car around to leave.

Just then, an older woman stopped me.

"Are you the one buying the Whitaker place? They told me to keep an eye out. They said if someone came to look at the house, to tell them they'd be back soon."

I froze for a second.

"Ma'am, you must have the wrong person. I'm not here to look at a house."

Maybe it was my confusion that triggered her gossip mode, because she started rambling.

"The Whitakers got so lucky. Someone actually wants that old shack. They said it's for some social media content house? I don't get it, but they're paying a fortune. They're moving to a big place in the city soon."

So, Mia's family wasn't actually struggling at all?

I said a quick goodbye and sped back to the university.

As soon as I got upstairs, I saw Mia's mother walking out of the office with a huge grin.

I didn't approach them. Instead, I ducked into the stairwell.

"See? If I didn't make a scene, the school wouldn't care. You told me your advisor was a nice guy and would sponsor you if he knew you were poor."

She let out a cold snort.

"I guess he's not that great. I had to handle it myself in the end."

"Once the old house sells, we're moving to the city. Be careful not to slip up. If you don't have to pay for tuition or food for four years, we'll save a ton of money."

"I know, Mom," Mia replied.

The whole family was in on the scam.

As soon as they left, the Principal called me into his office.

"Caleb, what is going on? Why are parents coming here to scream? The department evaluations are coming up. If this isn't handled, forget about your promotion."

The Principal always favored me. I knew he was saying this for my own good.

"I understand, Principal. I will handle this properly."

"Sigh. It's obvious they're just looking for trouble. I told them the department would do its best to help. The rest is up to you."

I nodded and left the office.

I took out my phone and called Mia.

"Meet me in Building 3, Room 1201."

I chose that room because it was the only one where the security cameras actually worked.

When Mia finally arrived, I felt a surge of anger, but I kept my face neutral.

"You can actually apply for student loans. If you don't know how, I can find a student to help you."

Mia still looked hesitant.

"But I'd have to pay back those loans eventually."

My tone sharpened at that.

"What does that mean? Are you saying you just want a free ride?"

"No, Professor. It's just... thirty thousand dollars in debt is a lot of pressure. I'm scared I won't be able to pay it back."

She started crying again.

Those tears were becoming her signature move.

I turned away to calm myself and spotted Bennett Silas lurking in the corner.

Fine. The scene from my past life was repeating itself.

This time, I would make sure they choked on their own medicine.

"Professor... can you sponsor me? I'll definitely pay you back later. I'll remember your kindness forever."

I thought to myself, 'I don't want you to remember me at all.'