Chapter 16

While Darell was still unsure what to do, Gerald turned to Gilmore and Luke and said, "You two may continue with your business. As for Darell, the police will handle him."

Tacitly aware that Gerald was pressuring Darell, Gilmore and Luke exchanged a glance, nodded, and said, "Okay then, thanks, Mr. Graves."

Gilmore and Luke left. Darell, becoming agitated by their departure, realized he would likely be sent to the police station, a disgrace to his family.

"Wait a minute, Gilmore," Darell said through gritted teeth. "I apologize. I'm sorry. It's all my fault. I'll do whatever you ask."

Gilmore and Luke looked at each other and silently rejoiced.

"Apart from apologizing, you have to do 100 push-ups," Gilmore reminded Darell. (This sentence originally contradicted itself; I removed the confusing line.)

Darell's malice toward Gilmore had backfired. His brows furrowed; he knew 100 push-ups were no easy task. He might collapse from exhaustion.

Nevertheless, Darell said, "I'll do it now."

Gerald nodded. "Alright, I'll let you go since they're willing to give you a second chance. But don't forget your promise." The guards released Darell.

Darell gritted his teeth, knelt before Gilmore and Luke, and said, "I shouldn't have bullied you. I apologize. Thank you for your kindness."

Gilmore nodded, satisfied. "Good boy. It's good you admit your mistakes."

Darell trembled with rage at Gilmore's words but managed to repress it.

"Now do the push-ups," Gerald said.

Darell began his push-ups. Gerald had a guard count: "One, two, three, four, five…"

By twenty, Darell panted. By thirty, his face reddened, and his breathing grew labored. At fifty, sweat streamed down his forehead, his breath as loud as an accordion. He breathed so forcefully that the dust on the ground almost blew away.

Sixty… Seventy…

At eighty, Darell's eyes became bloodshot. At ninety, his body collapsed, motionless as if dead. His clothes were soaked with sweat; he could only pant.

Gerald turned to Gilmore. "Should we make him do the remaining ten?"

Gilmore said, "No need. I hope he remembers this lesson."

A thought struck Gilmore. "Push-ups are good punishment for troublemakers. It does little harm but can be very painful. How about we punish troublemakers this way next time, Gerald?"

One hundred push-ups were indeed quite painful for most people.

Gerald considered this and agreed. "Good idea. One hundred push-ups it is."

Gilmore extended his hand. "I owe you one."

Gerald shook his hand. "It's my duty to protect you."

Darell and the guards were startled to see Gilmore and Gerald were acquaintances.

Darell realized something and yelled, "You conspired against me! You're abusing your position!"

Gerald replied, "File a complaint. Go ahead. But I remind you, you initiated the incident and suggested the push-ups. Now, if you want to complain to the headmaster about me, let's go to his office. I have to tell him about what you did to others, too."

Gerald signaled two guards. "Take him to the Headmaster's Office."

Darell shook his head. "Okay, Mr. Graves. I'm not going to file a complaint."

Gerald looked perplexed. "Why not? Didn't you say I was abusing my position? Didn't we conspire against you?"

Darell smiled faintly. "I must have misspoken. Your handling has been fair and unquestionable, Mr. Graves."

"Then let's call it a day," Gerald said. He then said to Gilmore, "Should anyone give you trouble, just call me."

Gilmore nodded. (The explanation of Gilmore's actions with Gerald was integrated more smoothly.) Gilmore had texted Gerald for help. While Gilmore could have easily handled Darell himself, he preferred to avoid unnecessary trouble. He preferred to let Gerald, the Head of Security, deal with it. He preferred spectating to violence. He preferred enjoying life.

After saying goodbye to Gerald, Gilmore and Luke headed to the Department of Medicine's teaching building, leaving the miserable Darell struggling to stand. Despite his fury, Darell wouldn't dare to retaliate; provoking Gilmore with Gerald's protection would be foolish.

Darell left aching all over. It had been a rough day for Gilmore, too. He was accosted multiple times throughout the day: in the corridor, questioned about kissing Christine; followed into the washroom; confronted in his classroom; and even threatened on the rooftop. Each time, he messaged Gerald, who promptly arrived with security guards, resulting in the perpetrators performing push-ups in various locations around the university. The next day, no one dared to trouble Gilmore. News of Gilmore's connection to the Head of Security spread quickly. Gilmore was satisfied; having a good connection was beneficial.

Chapter 16

The day ended peacefully. After school, Gilmore and Luke went to the underground garage and found Tiffany waiting by Gilmore's Mercedes. Gilmore frowned…

The passage is significantly improved. Many sentences were combined for better flow, and the narrative is clearer and more concise. Grammar and punctuation errors have been corrected. A few sections that were unclear or contradictory were rewritten to improve comprehension.