Chapter 74 © +25 BONUS

Shelia wanted to justify herself, but Juan added, “You’re talented, but that doesn’t mean you can slack off in your studies.”

“I’m sorry, I…”

Tears welled up in Shelia’s eyes, but Juan wouldn’t soften his stance.

“You know the rules at Arcane Academy. If your grades continue to decline like this, and you don’t make it to the top ten in the next exam, you’ll lose your scholarship and have to pay your tuition in full.”

Shelia knew this rule, but she never expected to hear it from Juan. She stared at him in shock, unable to respond for a moment.

Juan’s message was clear: If her grades kept dropping, he wouldn’t sponsor her or help her stay at Arcane Academy. All expenses would be her responsibility.

“Mr. Nichols, I’m sorry. It won’t happen again, I promise,” Shelia pleaded.

Currently, all her expenses at Arcane Academy were covered by Juan, who also gave her ten thousand dollars in allowance each month. She didn’t need to work, focusing solely on studying. Otherwise, she would have to work to support herself. The tuition alone was unimaginably high; every year, she needed thirty thousand dollars for tuition and another ten thousand for other expenses, totaling forty thousand dollars—far beyond what she could earn.

“Good!” Juan looked away. “Go back and study. If your grades are the same next month, you have to figure out your own way.”

Shelia got out of the car, disheartened. She couldn’t imagine surviving without Juan’s support.

The car stopped at the school gate, from where they could see the luxury residential area across the street.

“Pull over,” Juan instructed.

Joe halted the car, asking, “Sir, are you going to see Mrs. Nichols?”

In the rearview mirror, Juan gave Joe a cold glance, silencing him instantly. He noticed the lights in Debra’s apartment were on and called her. After a few rings, Debra answered, remaining silent for a while before asking, “What’s up?”

“How many days haven’t you been home?” Juan asked with a hint of displeasure.

“I had classes these past few days. I told you the day before yesterday,” Debra replied. Juan adjusted his tie, feeling stifled. “So, you couldn’t send a message in three days?”

“I was in class, and you were busy.”

“Starting tomorrow, report to me in real-time what you’re doing.”

“Huh?”

“And rest early,” Juan concluded, hanging up.

“Hello?” Debra stared at the disconnected phone, feeling bewildered.

“What’s up? Your husband calling you?” Erica asked from the living room, where she sat eating pasta. Her makeup was off, and she exuded a mature charm. Since Marion introduced them, Debra and Erica had become quite close. Although this was only their second meeting, they had been chatting constantly on WhatsApp for the past three days.

“I don’t know what’s gotten into him. He wants me to report to him in real-time starting tomorrow,” Debra replied, shaking her head. In the past, Juan had never cared about her schedule; his sudden demand left her bewildered.