?Chapter 1021:


    Curiosity got the better of her. She slowed down and turned her head in that direction.


    Behind theb building, in the wide, empty space, Jeff was surrounded by three guys. They shoved him around,ughing every now and then. He tried to walk away, but they blocked him each time.


    A tall guy sneered and gave him a hard push. “You think getting a schrship makes you special? Sucking up to professors won’t get you far,” he said.


    A short, chubby one jumped in right after. “Yeah, that spot should’ve been Richie’s! What shady deal did you pull to get it?” he asked.


    Jeff straightened up, his voice calm and steady, his face unreadable. “The schrship’s based on academic performance. The process is open and fair. If you think otherwise, go ahead and file an appeal,” he said.


    Every award Jeff had earned came from his hard work, and he wasn’t afraid of anyone questioning it.


    But Richie Murphy only smirked, giving him another shove. “Appeal? Please. Everyone knows Professor Taylor favors you just because you cry about being poor,” he said.


    Then Richie’s eyesnded on the phone in Jeff’s hand. His smirk grew wider. “Hold up—is that thetest iPhone? Thought you were broke. How’d you afford that?” he asked.


    That phone alone cost at least eight or nine thousand bucks. How could someone who could barely manage his meals buy that?


    Jeff quickly hid the phone behind his back. “I saved up from my part-time jobs to get it,” he said.


    Richie snorted. “Yeah, right. Who’d believe that?”


    He lunged forward to grab the phone, signaling his buddy to help. Jeff tried to resist, but the two of them overpowered him, and Richie easily snatched the phone from his hand.


    That was when Ste stepped in. She marched toward them, her voice sharp and cold. “Hey! What do you think you’re doing?”


    The men froze and turned around. Seeing her, their faces went nk for a second.


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    Everyone on campus knew Ste. She was a top graduate, and her photo hung proudly in Liberty Hall.


    Richie’s jaw dropped. “S-Ste?” he stammered.


    Her eyes swept across the group, finallynding on the phone in Richie’s hand. “Give Jeff back his phone. Now.”


    Richie hesitated but gave in under her cold stare. He handed the phone over, muttering, “Figures. No wonder you got that schrship—having Ste on your side sure helps.”


    Ste frowned, her tone firm. “Watch your mouth. Jeff’s grades and achievements are proof enough. Themittee made the right choice,” she said.


    Richie exchanged a look with his buddies, then sneered at Jeff. “Yeah, unless there’s some special rtionship involved.”


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