Chapter 15: Oakhaven University

The Mercedes carrying Gilmore and Luke was stopped by two security guards at the school gate.

"Student ID, please," a slightly overweight man, perhaps in his forties, said, knocking on Gerald's window. Gilmore knew Gerald couldn't be admitted; he was neither faculty nor student. The guards certainly wouldn't allow a stranger, especially one arriving by car, onto the campus.

Gerald smiled at the man. "Hi there, I'm the new director of the Security Department. Now, please open the door for us, will you?"

Gerald's words stunned Gilmore, Luke, and the two guards. The man, however, was unconvinced. "Sir, I don't care if you're the new director. Show me your ID or get out!" The guard, self-assured and seemingly experienced, clearly doubted Gerald. Even Gilmore and Luke considered Gerald's claim a flimsy excuse.

Gerald nodded. "Okay, I'll show you my ID." He reached into his pocket, produced an ID, and handed it to the guard.

The guard examined it. The photo matched Gerald perfectly; his title was "Head of Security," employed by the "Security Department of Oakhaven University," and it bore the university's official seal. The guard visibly shuddered at the seal, completely dumbfounded. Gerald was, indeed, the new director.

Chapter 15 (continued)

Another guard, around 30, quickly verified the ID's authenticity. Grinning, he turned to Gerald. "Mr. Graves. We'll open the door right away."

Gerald smiled, took his ID, and said, "Thanks. May I have the name of your colleague?"

The younger guard hesitated, seemingly speechless. After a moment, he replied, "He's Stanley Strickland. Forgive him, Mr. Graves. He was a bit inflexible." He then opened the electric gate with a remote control.

Gerald simply rolled up his window, smiled, and drove onto campus. Watching the Mercedes disappear, the older guard's face paled; he felt his knees buckle and collapsed, wailing and pounding his chest. "I'm finished! I offended the new director. I'll be sacked!"

The Mercedes parked in an underground garage. Gilmore unbuckled his seatbelt. "Are you really the Head of Security at Oakhaven University?"

Gerald nodded. "Miss Foster arranged it to better protect you."

Gilmore thought, Look what a wealthy family can do! This was only a glimpse of the Fosters' influence in Oakhaven; replacing the university president would be a trivial matter for them.

Gerald handed Gilmore a simple business card with only his name, "Gerald Graves," and a phone number.

Gilmore took the card, and the three exited the car. As Gerald put on his sunglasses, Luke asked, "Are you seriously going to work in the Security Department?"

Gerald replied, "Where else would I be? Your classroom?" Luke was speechless. Gerald then coolly walked towards the exit, hands in his pockets.

Gilmore smiled, thinking, With the Head of Security backing me up, nobody will cause me trouble. But he was wrong.

Chapter 15 (continued)

Gilmore and Luke, freshmen in the Department of Medicine, were stopped by a dozen men on their way to the teaching building.

"Isn't this the jackass who took advantage of Christine, our goddess?" a young, hostile-looking man sneered. Gilmore recognized Darell Weaver, the son of another wealthy family and an admirer of Christine. The others were Darell's sycophantic followers.

Gilmore used to fear such people, but not anymore. He smirked at Darell. "Jealous of me kissing your goddess, Darell? You should be; it's the only thing a coward like you could ever do. You wouldn't dare kiss Christine, would you?"

Darell was infuriated; Gilmore was right. He was too intimidated by the Fosters to even dream of touching Christine. He felt a surge of anger and shame.

"How dare he insult Christine!" Darell yelled. "Let's teach this ill-mannered man a lesson!" His men surrounded Gilmore and Luke.

Gilmore calmly texted on his phone. Luke, nervous, whispered, "What do we do now?" They were outnumbered and vulnerable. Darell noticed Luke's anxiety. "Scared, Luke? Tell your friend to do 100 push-ups and beg for mercy. I might let you go then."

Luke retorted, "No way, Darell! We'll never submit to you!"

After sending his message, Gilmore looked at Darell. "Someone will be begging for mercy, but it's not me, it's you."

Outraged, Darell shouted, "Either you beg or I'll go to hell today! Go on, boys!" His men prepared to attack.

Suddenly, the sound of approaching guards, led by Gerald in sunglasses, filled the air. "Someone's causing trouble and bullying others. Arrest them!" Gerald commanded. The guards sprang into action. Darell and his men froze; his followers scattered, leaving Darell alone.

Chapter 15 (continued)

Guards tackled Darell, but he resisted, shouting, "Let me go! You have no right to arrest me!"

Gerald said coldly, "You'll be accused of assault and disturbing the peace. We'll take you to the police station." The threat of damaging his family's reputation terrified Darell.

Seeing Gilmore and Luke, Darell begged, "Forgive me! I was wrong. Tell them I did nothing! I don't want to go to the police station!"

Gilmore remained impassive. "I can't excuse you, Darell. You told us to do 100 push-ups and beg for mercy, didn't you?" He paused, then added arrogantly, "Alright, I'll consider letting you go if you do 100 push-ups and beg for mercy." Darell's face turned ashen.