Zeya was truly on the verge of insanity. Her head was filled with panicked voices, her thoughts racing aimlessly. How could it not be? The man who almost paid her that night turned out to be her own lecturer—Delson. A lecturer whose face now haunted every corner of her mind. Zeya's breath was labored, her body trembling violently as the harsh reality continued to slap her logic. She stood in the bathroom, pacing back and forth like a madman, her hands trembling, her lips trembling with panic.
"What should I do... God, how could this happen..." he muttered softly, almost in a desperate whisper.
Delson was no ordinary man. Nor was he a man who gave up easily. His cold gaze and faint smile from last night were still vivid in Zeya's mind—and it made her even more afraid. A fear that pierced her to the bone.
Zeya splashed her face with cold water, hoping it would clear her mind, at least enough to think clearly. "Calm down, Zeya... don't panic... you can do it," she whispered to her reflection in the mirror. But her inner voice sounded hollow. Full of doubt.
She knew she was on the brink of death. The money Delson had given her the night before was almost enough to cover her entire tuition bill. But now he has returned it. Her pride refused to budge, but her logic was starting to rebel—because if she didn't pay by next week, she wouldn't be able to take the exam. And that meant... the end.
With hurried steps, Zeya grabbed her tote bag and was about to leave. However, she stopped when Larin appeared before her, accompanied by a friend. Zeya sighed, too lazy to bother.
"Move aside. Don't cause any more trouble," Zeya said coldly.
Larin just smiled sweetly, a smile that held thorns. "Why the rush, Sis? Did something happen? The dean just called you to his office."
Zeya was silent. His eyes widened slightly at the words. His head was full of bad speculation. And running? It just bowed its head slightly, as if conveying false pity.
"Looks like you'll have to stop here. You won't be able to afford your college anymore."
Without answering a word, Zeya chose to walk away. His silence hurt more than protest. He was too tired.
Meanwhile, Linea, observing the siblings' interaction, stared at Larin in surprise. "You and he could be considered twins... but there's not a single resemblance. He's much faster than you."
Larin narrowed his eyes, as if disturbed by the fact.
"But at least this time you'll be the one to step forward. Because he can't afford his tuition," Linea added in a calm but sharp tone. "I'm sure he'll be expelled from campus today."
Larin smiled faintly, nodding slowly, hiding a small satisfaction that was hard to disguise.
Zeya's steps felt heavy as she arrived in front of the dean's office. Her hands were cold, and sweat was pouring down her forehead, even though the air conditioning in the hallway was on. She knocked gently on the door, then opened it slightly to peek her face out.
"Excuse me, ma'am... did you call me?" he asked in a trembling voice, almost a whisper.
Behind her neat desk, Bu Went looked at her with a flat expression as usual. Without saying a word, he thrust a piece of paper towards Zeya.
Zeya stepped slowly, taking the paper hesitantly. Her eyes scanned it quickly—and immediately widened. Her eyes turned to Mrs. Went, filled with confusion. "W-wait, ma'am... this-this is the payment report... But I haven't paid yet, how can this be paid off?"
Mrs. Went showed no significant reaction. Instead, she took a card from her desk drawer and handed it to Zeya. It was an exam card. "Someone is sponsoring your achievement," she replied curtly. There was no further explanation, no details, no name.
Zeya froze. She looked down at the paper, which now felt so heavy in her hands. Her heart was pounding. Sponsor? Who? she thought anxiously. Her heart suspected something, but she didn't dare say it.
"Next week you can take the exam," Mrs. Went continued flatly, as if that sentence was enough to close all questions.
Without waiting for a response, Mrs. Went rose from her chair. Her movements were swift and efficient. But Zeya couldn't keep still. She hurried after the dean, slightly holding her arm.
"Ma'am, I'm sorry... but may I know who my sponsor is?"
Mrs. Went sighed softly, then turned halfway to face Zeya. Her gaze was firm but not harsh. "He doesn't want to be exposed," she replied quietly but firmly. "Never mind. Just focus on your studies. Improve your performance so your scholarship can be reinstated."
Zeya lowered her head. She clutched her paper and exam card tightly, her heart a mixture of relief and anxiety. She knew she couldn't push any further.
Silently, Zeya slowly walked out of the room. On one hand, she wanted to be grateful for being able to take the exam. But on the other hand, the thought of who was behind all this began to haunt her again.
Delson. The name flashed through her mind again, and Zeya's body shivered again.
Zeya's steps out of the dean's office still felt light, as if a heavy burden that had been weighing on her shoulders had slowly lifted. Although her face wasn't completely calm, there was a new light in her eyes—the light of hope.
But still, beneath the relief, her mind was filled with questions. Who was willing to pay all of her tuition? Who was secretly sponsoring her? Her heart couldn't rest. Curiosity nipped at her, preventing her from truly letting go of her suspicions.
Was it really purely because of his achievements? Or... Delson? The name echoed in her mind like an echo that refused to go away. But she shook her head slowly, refusing to speculate further. There was no proof. No explanation. And Mrs. Went didn't give her any more questions.
Despite this, Zeya couldn't lie to herself—she was happy. Yes, for now, that happiness was so real and warm. A faint smile appeared on her face without her realizing it. Her eyes stared at the exam card in her hand with emotion. It was proof that her efforts had not been in vain, even though the journey had been incredibly difficult.
Finally, she could take her exams next week. And that meant she was one step closer to passing. One step closer to her dream, which had always felt like a distant star in the sky: going to London and becoming a designer. The city of her dreams was once again vivid in her mind—the cobblestone streets, the historic buildings, and the glittering fashion world waiting to be explored.
Zeya took a deep breath. Today might be full of surprises. But she knew one thing: she wouldn't waste this opportunity.
"I'll make it," he whispered to himself. This time, not with doubt—but with a confidence that was slowly growing back in his heart.