Briggs Lead University 20th Graduation Ceremony
The morning sun poured a soft golden light across the grand courtyard of Briggs Lead University. Banners fluttered gently in the breeze, carrying the university's crest, a symbol of excellence and prestige. The atmosphere brimmed with anticipation and excitement. It was the 20th graduation ceremony of one of Scotland's most esteemed institutions, where only the finest minds were molded and the most ambitious dreams took flight.
Briggs Lead was no ordinary university. Prestigious families from around the world sent their children here, hoping they would carry the family legacy with pride. Today was the day those dreams took form, a day of recognition, pride, and bittersweet farewells.
So many dignitaries and media houses had arrived, cameras flashing as graduates in their gowns filled the vast auditorium. The air was charged with celebration, laughter, chatter, and the hum of a thousand futures waiting to begin.
A tall man in a navy suit stepped onto the stage. The microphone caught the deep warmth in his voice as he addressed the crowd.
"Good morning, our wonderful outgoing students," he began, his eyes sweeping across the sea of faces.
"It's an honor to stand before the bright minds who will shape the future, our Bachelors, Masters, and Ph.D. holders."
A roar of applause thundered through the hall. Some students cheered; others smiled through tears.
"It's that time of the year," he continued, "when diligence and hard work are rewarded. To be honest, I myself am proud of you all."
He paused, letting his words sink in before adding, "Now, I'll be handing over the mic to the Chancellor, who will head the awards section. Without further ado, please welcome, Professor Richardo."
The audience rose to their feet, applause echoing like waves. The Chancellor, a man in his sixties with gray hair and kind eyes, approached the podium with a measured smile.
"Thank you very much, everyone," he said, adjusting his glasses.
"It's a great honor to be here once again, to present the awards for the best in each faculty and, of course, the overall best student in the entire university. I won't waste much of your time, so let's get right into it."
He unfolded a long sheet of paper and began to read. The ceremony went on, applause breaking out again and again as proud students walked up to the stage to receive their awards. Some smiled widely, some fought back tears, and some looked away, lost in thoughts of what came next.
And then came the announcement for the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery.
Professor Richardo's voice carried clearly through the hall.
"The best Ph.D. student from the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, and also the overall best student of Briggs Lead University is…" He paused dramatically, scanning the crowd.
"Adrian Vale!"
A sudden uproar of cheers and clapping filled the room. Cameras turned, students gasped. But seconds passed and no one came forward.
"Adrian Vale, please come forward," the Chancellor repeated.
Silence. The crowd began to murmur. Eyes darted around, searching for the mysterious name.
"Who's that?" someone whispered.
"Don't you know him?" another replied.
"He's one of the top Ph.D. students in Medicine. I heard he's ridiculously wealthy. He never talks to anyone. Just keeps to himself."
"I've never even seen him before," another voice added.
When it became clear that no one was coming, Professor Richardo sighed lightly.
"If Mr. Vale isn't here, we'll continue with the ceremony."
The applause faded, replaced by whispers and speculation.
---
Meanwhile, far from the noise of celebration, on the balcony of a luxury hotel overlooking the serene landscape of Scotland, a man stood, calm, collected, untouchable.
Adrian Vale.
The name carried power. The heir to Vale Pharmaceuticals, one of the largest medical empires in Italy. But to those who knew him if anyone truly did, he was much more than that. Adrian was a mind of precision, a man who built codes and systems like art. A tactical programmer, a thinker, a man whose silence spoke louder than any applause ever could.
He stood shirtless by the balcony, the wind teasing his dark hair as he sipped from a glass of Martell. His gaze was distant, lost somewhere between the horizon and his own thoughts.
Then his phone buzzed.
He looked at the caller ID and a small, genuine smile touched his lips for the first time that day.
"Mum," he answered, his voice deep yet warm.
"Adrian, are you mad?" came the sharp voice from the other end. It was Lizzy Vale, his mother, elegant, emotional, and endlessly protective.
"The graduation ceremony started hours ago! Sanjay called me and said you didn't show up. They called your name for best in faculty and overall best student! How could you not be there?"
Adrian closed his eyes briefly and let out a quiet breath. "Mum, I was busy," he said simply, his tone calm but distant.
"Tell Sanjay to collect the certificate for me. I have no business there anymore. I'll be coming home soon. Tell Dad."
"What are you even saying? Adrian, this is your..."
"I love you, Mum. Bye." He ended the call before she could finish.
The quiet that followed was deafening.
Lizzy Vale had always been his anchor.The bridge between him and his father. She had seen how the weight of expectation crushed the freedom out of her son. Adrian never wanted to become a doctor. His passion was in technology, in coding, algorithms, and ideas that reshaped reality. But his father had forced him into medicine, believing it was the only way to preserve the family legacy.
That choice had built an invisible wall between father and son, one that even Lizzy's affection struggled to mend.
Adrian set the phone aside and took another sip of his drink. The warmth of the alcohol trailed down his throat, yet he felt nothing. His eyes lingered on the horizon where the golden sky began to fade into clouds.
He pressed the intercom button. "Room 204. Get me another bottle of vodka," he said curtly, then hung up.
A few minutes later, a knock came at the door. Adrian opened it, revealing a young hotel attendant holding a tray with a bottle and two glasses.
But the moment she saw him bare-chested, his well-defined muscles catching the soft light, she froze. The tray slipped from her hands, the sound of glass shattering across the marble floor.
Her eyes widened, panic rushing through her face.
"I...I'm so sorry, sir. I didn't mean..."
Adrian's voice was calm, almost indifferent. "It's fine. Just clean it up."
The hallway had already started to attract attention. A few guests passed by, glancing curiously at the scene. Adrian turned away, picking up a white shirt from the couch and sliding it over his shoulders with quiet grace.
He didn't wait for the staff to finish cleaning. He decided to take a walk.
Outside, the corridors were quiet, just the faint hum of distant music from the hotel lounge. He walked aimlessly, his thoughts heavy but his expression unreadable. The game center caught his eye, but the door was closed. Some kind of event preparation was going on inside. He turned to leave.
That's when he bumped into someone, a woman stumbling, clearly intoxicated. Her perfume lingered, strong and dizzying.
Adrian stepped back immediately, his brows furrowing as he watched her try to steady herself.
"How can someone be drunk during the day?" he muttered under his breath, shaking his head as he turned away.
The woman staggered off down the hallway, her laughter echoing faintly behind him. Adrian didn't look back. He returned to his room, unbuttoning his shirt halfway as he poured himself another drink.