Chapter 99: The sudden promotion

"Deputy Director Abraham," Principal Smith called out, turning his attention elsewhere.

"Yes, Principal!" Deputy Director Abraham stepped forward eagerly, his voice trembling with nervous excitement. "How may I assist you, sir?"

Principal Smith declared clearly: "From this moment onward, you are officially appointed as the new Head of Academic Affairs."

Deputy Director Abraham felt as if an entire, multi-million-doller pie had fallen straight out of the sky and landed right in his lap. Normally, based on standard bureaucratic seniority, it would have taken him at least five grueling years of ass-kissing to even qualify for a promotion to director.

And yet... here he was, suddenly promoted straight to the top position after serving only a single year as deputy director! Furthermore, he would never have to live under the oppressive, corrupt suppression of Director Lock ever again.

Deputy Director Abraham turned his eyes toward Julian Vance, his face overflowing with deep, profound gratitude.

Thank goodness Julian was here today! If Julian hadn’t single-handedly engineered this massive upset, he never would have risen to power this quickly.

"Thank you so much, Principal Smith!" Deputy Director Abraham bowed deeply.

Principal Smith turned back to face the massive amphitheater, raising his voice: "So, let the official record show that Julian Vance is undeniably the undisputed number one student of this examination. Does anyone in this hall have any objections to this result?"

"NO!" the hundreds of students roared back in thunderous unison.

Everyone was now intensely curious about just how monstrously brilliant Julian truly was to be able to pull off a score like that while simultaneously maintaining a complex personal life, working part-time jobs, and dealing with campus drama.

Off to the side, Natasha stared at Julian standing triumphantly on the center aisle, her expression filled with a complex mix of shock and stirring infatuation.

Julian... he really seems to have completely transformed.

He had suddenly become dazzlingly, irresistibly charming...

Meanwhile, Siana Vance stood frozen in a daze of lingering shock. She honestly never expected that her neglected younger brother actually possessed this level of terrifying academic horsepower.

She suddenly recalled what the principal had earlier questioned her about: Since you are his biological older sister, why didn’t you stand up and trust him when he was falsely accused?

A heavy, suffocating wave of profound guilt crushed down upon Siana Vance’s chest.

Slowly, she forced herself to step forward, walking right up to Julian.

"I... I am so sorry, Julian. I truly apologize for doubting you just now..."

Julian replied with a cold, mocking sneer, "Miss Vance, you don’t need to waste your breath apologizing to me. I’ve already grown quite accustomed to your habitual lack of trust."

In the original timeline, the original owner of this body had never done a single thing to wrong the Vance family; he had always tried his best to be an obedient, dutiful son. Yet, the family was easily manipulated and poisoned by Leo Vance’s petty schemes, ultimately driving the original owner into a dark, desperate corner.

Siana Vance stood paralyzed, utterly speechless.

Her lips trembled slightly, but she found she could only choke out three hollow words: "I’m sorry..."

Julian looked at her with freezing, dead eyes. "You don’t need to apologize to me anymore. The original Julian Vance was already driven to his psychological grave by your family’s endless cruelty. I have absolutely nothing to do with you people anymore."

Watching Julian’s cold, utterly indifferent expression, Siana Vance felt her heart shatter into pieces.

She couldn’t help but reflect bitterly: This time it was just a blatant academic misunderstanding... but how many other times in the past did we blindly wrong him like this without ever listening to his side...?

Principal Smith cleared his throat, continuing his announcement: "As all of you are well aware by now, President Sterling generously established a grand scholarship fund of ten million doller specifically for our finance major’s first-place student, alongside the permanent right to reside in a private luxury campus villa throughout their remaining university years."

"Therefore, all of these magnificent rewards belong entirely and exclusively to Julian Vance!"

Principal Smith couldn’t help but steal another respectful glance toward Victoria.

He had secretly wondered why, out of all the thousands of graduate and undergraduate majors across Capital University, President Sterling had specifically chosen to target the third-year finance major—and restricted the grand prize solely to the number one student.

It now made perfect, crystal-clear sense: President Sterling had intentionally tailored this entire massive reward package simply to hand-deliver a fortune and a home to her beloved Julian!

Standing nearby, Natasha felt a thrill of intense excitement ripple through her.

Ten million dollar!

That was an astronomical cash prize of ten million doller! Once Julian came over and offered her a humble apology for his recent coldness, she would definitely find a way to let him spend some of that wealth treating her to high-end dinners and luxury gifts!

Across the hall, Leo Vance gritted his teeth so hard his jaw ached, his face twisted with murderous jealousy.

No... this is unacceptable.

He had only managed to capture President Sterling’s passing attention earlier because he falsely assumed he was going to rank near the top of the exams. If Julian swept all the glory, the ten million doller, the luxury villa, and President Sterling’s personal favor, he would lose every single remaining shred of leverage within high society!

Leo hurriedly shot a sharp, meaningful look toward his loyal lackey, Ben Wanli, signaling him to execute the next phase of their plan.

Ben Wanli’s family business had relied on commercial cooperation with the Vance family for years, making him desperate to constantly curry favor with Leo. Receiving the silent cue, Ben Wanli immediately stood up from his seat.

"Principal Smith! I formally object to awarding President Sterling’s grand prize to Julian Vance!" Ben Wanli shouted out loudly.

A heavy, irritated throb pounded instantly against Principal Smith’s forehead.

Why on earth does this lecture hall have an endless supply of clowns popping up to cause trouble today?!

"What possible objection could you possibly have?" Principal Smith demanded, his voice dropping in temperature.

Ben Wanli sneered, pointing a finger directly at Julian. "My objection is simple: Julian Vance obtained these prestigious rewards through fraudulent means... because Julian Vance is currently being kept as a kept gigolo by a wealthy sugar mommy!"