Chapter 234: What Can I Do for You, Mr. Gray?

As Lucas stepped out of the dorm room, his mind was already racing.

He had made up his mind.

Whoever had crippled Max...

Whoever thought they could bully Ashford University’s players without consequences...

Was going to regret it.

But before he could do anything, there was one problem he had to solve.

He needed to join the basketball team.

Lucas frowned as he walked down the hallway.

That was easier said than done.

Max had been trying to get into the team since their sophomore year. Despite countless tryouts and endless practice, he’d been rejected again and again before finally making the roster this semester.

If even Max had struggled that much...

How was someone who had never played organized basketball supposed to get in overnight?

Lucas shook his head.

"I’ll figure it out."

There was always a way.

By the time he stepped outside the dormitory, he realized something was... strange.

The courtyard was packed.

Dozens of boys were standing around his Bugatti, circling it from every angle like it was a rare museum exhibit.

Some had been waiting for over an hour.

Others were crouched beside the wheels, admiring the carbon fiber rims.

A few were recording videos while passionately explaining the car’s specifications as if they owned it themselves.

"The front splitter alone costs more than my tuition!"

"Dude, look at those exhaust pipes!"

"I swear, if I hear this thing roar just once today, I can die happy."

The moment someone spotted Lucas...

"Bro! He’s here!"

Every head snapped toward him.

In an instant, the crowd rushed over, completely surrounding him.

"Lucas!"

"Please!"

"Just one rev!"

"Just one!"

"We’ve been waiting forever!"

"Don’t leave without starting it!"

Lucas looked around at the eager faces and couldn’t help laughing.

He had been in a hurry earlier and hadn’t wanted to waste time.

But now...

Looking at their excitement, he really couldn’t bring himself to disappoint them again.

"Alright."

A chorus of cheers instantly erupted.

Lucas unlocked the Bugatti and slid into the driver’s seat.

The crowd quickly backed away, but their phones remained pointed directly at the car.

Everyone held their breath.

Lucas smiled faintly before pressing the ignition.

VROOOOM!

The W16 engine exploded to life like a sleeping beast awakening.

The deep, thunderous growl echoed across the entire dormitory.

Some students instinctively covered their ears.

Others simply froze with excitement.

Lucas lightly tapped the accelerator.

BANG!

BANG!

BANG!!

Brilliant blue flames burst from the exhaust pipes.

The sharp explosions echoed like fireworks across the campus.

"HOLY CRAP!"

"It shot flames!"

"I GOT IT ON VIDEO!"

"Play it again!"

The boys completely lost their minds.

Some jumped up and down.

Others screamed louder than they had during basketball games.

One student was so excited that he almost dropped his phone trying to zoom in on the flames.

Lucas couldn’t help shaking his head with a smile.

Satisfied that he’d made everyone’s day, he shifted into gear.

The Bugatti rolled forward slowly.

As soon as it cleared the entrance...

Lucas gently pressed the accelerator.

WHOOSH!

The supercar launched down the road like a blue lightning bolt, disappearing within seconds.

Several boys instinctively ran out of the dormitory after it, still filming as if they could somehow chase it down.

"That sound..."

"I’ll never forget it."

"One day..."

"I’m buying one too."

"...Keep dreaming."

The laughter behind him gradually faded.

Meanwhile, Lucas’s expression returned to normal.

The excitement was over.

Now...

It was time to get serious.

He tightened his grip on the steering wheel and turned toward the administrative district.

His destination...

The Dean’s Office.

---

A few minutes later, Lucas’s Bugatti came to a smooth stop outside the Administrative Building.

He stepped out, closed the door behind him, and walked straight toward the Dean’s Office without slowing down.

No appointment.

No prior notice.

No secretary.

He simply knocked on the office door.

Knock. Knock.

Inside the office...

Malcolm was in the middle of a private discussion with his son, Bryce.

Stacks of documents covered the desk, and the atmosphere was unusually serious.

Malcolm frowned slightly when he heard the knock.

"Come in," he called out instinctively, then paused.

Nobody had scheduled a meeting with him today.

Who would come looking for him at a time like this?

"Who is it?"

A calm voice answered from outside.

"It’s Lucas."

The moment those two words reached Malcolm’s ears...

Everything changed.

His eyes widened.

Without another thought, he shot up from his chair so quickly that it nearly tipped over behind him.

He practically rushed across the office.

Bryce stared blankly.

"...Dad?"

Before he could react...

Malcolm had already reached the door and pulled it open himself.

His movements were so fast that Bryce almost wondered if he’d imagined it.

He had known his father his entire life.

The dignified Dean of Ashford University was always composed, always calm, and always carried himself with authority.

Running?

Bryce couldn’t remember ever seeing it happen.

Not once.

Yet today...

His father had sprinted to the door without the slightest hesitation.

Bryce slowly turned toward the entrance.

The moment he saw who was standing outside...

His expression froze.

Lucas.

Again.

The man who had completely overshadowed him throughout the entire Lanai Island trip...

The person he least wanted to see...

Had somehow appeared right here.

For a brief moment, Bryce’s face turned slightly pale.

Lucas casually glanced in his direction.

There wasn’t the slightest trace of emotion in his eyes.

Just one indifferent look...

Before he shifted his attention away.

Bryce wasn’t why he’d come.

Lucas stepped into the office.

Malcolm immediately moved aside and respectfully invited him inside.

"Mr. Gray, please come in."

Lucas nodded slightly before walking past Bryce as though he didn’t even exist.

After taking a seat across from Malcolm’s desk, he spoke calmly.

"I need to discuss something with you."

His eyes briefly shifted toward Bryce.

"...In private."

Malcolm understood immediately.

"Of course."

Before Malcolm even had to say another word, Bryce had already pushed himself out of his chair.

He wasn’t stupid.

Whatever Lucas wanted to discuss...

It clearly wasn’t something he was supposed to hear.

Without saying a word, Bryce quietly walked toward the door.

As he passed Lucas, he instinctively lowered his gaze.

He no longer had the courage to challenge him.

The office door closed softly behind him.

Silence returned.

Only Lucas and Malcolm remained inside.

Malcolm straightened his suit before sitting down across from Lucas, his expression carrying far more respect than that of a university dean speaking to an ordinary student.

He folded his hands neatly on the desk.

"What can I do for you, Mr. Gray?"