Chapter 56

Chapter 56:

As a vehicle passed by, its headlights illuminated Fernanda’s face, casting a soft glow that made her eyes shimmer with a quiet brilliance. Ector found himself momentarily dazed. What had she meant by those words?

He was about to ask when the sudden ring of Fernanda’s phone sliced through the silence.

Ector noticed the caller ID—a plain number, no contact name displayed. But it struck a chord of recognition in him. The number was unmistakable.

After a few persistent rings, Fernanda answered.

Cristian’s deep, composed voice came through, laced with concern.

“Are you alright p>

“I’m perfectly fine,” Fernanda replied calmly, her tone even, betraying nothing.

Cristian let out a subtle breath of relief.

He had just wrapped up a meeting when it hit him—today was the release of Esaham University’s entrance results. Wasting no time, he had checked the list himself, only to find that Fernanda’s name was nowhere to be seen.

It didn’t make sense.

From the very first moment he met her, Fernanda had struck him as someone with an unshakable calm—quiet, but never uncertain. Her confidence wasn’t loud or flashy. It was quiet steel—measured, unwavering, and deeply convincing.

“Where are you right now?” Cristian asked, his voice tinged with urgency. “Have you seen your results? Is everything alright p>

Though Fernanda had her phone volume low, the stillness in the car allowed Cristian’s voice to carry just enough for Ector to hear.

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Ector turned his gaze toward her. In the dim light, he noticed a small flicker—the trembling of her long lashes.

It was subtle, but to someone who had come to understand her, it was telling.

Without realizing it, Ector’s grip on the steering wheel tightened. The thought that Fernanda might be facing disappointment gnawed at him.

Cristian, upon seeing her results, had suspected a mistake—not a lack of ability. Meanwhile, Robert, her so-called father, hadn’t just doubted her; he had unleashed a storm of harsh criticism. His reaction had been needlessly cruel, in stark contrast to Cristian’s patient and supportive demeanor.

But Fernanda hadn’t spared a single thought for Robert’s judgment. She felt nothing but indifference toward him—no expectations, no affection, no disappointment.

What stirred her, instead, was Cristian’s unshakable trust in her.

Fernanda spoke into the phone, her voice calm and composed.

“There seems to be a discrepancy with the results. I’m working on verifying it. Thanks for your concern. I’ll let you know once it’s resolved p>

Cristian responded with a soft hum, his tone warm.

“Just let me know if there’s anything I can do p>

“Alright, thanks,” Fernanda said lightly, her voice brighter now.

She ended the call and exhaled gently—a quiet breath that carried both relief and determination.

The soft strains of music filled the car, adding a calm rhythm to the silence. Fernanda leaned back in her seat, casually scrolling through her phone.

News of her rejection from Esaham University had already gone viral. Online commenters were relentless, many proudly claiming they’d predicted her failure all along.

Fernanda scrolled through the posts with a slow flick of her finger, her expression unmoved. A faint, derisive smirk played on her lips as she read.

“Ever happen to you, Ector?” she asked suddenly, her tone a mix of curiosity and disdain. “Do you ever feel like you’re constantly being watched, judged p>

“These gossip leeches live off scandal,” Ector replied, his voice tinged with disgust. “When the entertainment world is quiet, they sniff around for drama anywhere they can. And the upper class? Most of them pay to hide their dirt. That’s how these parasites make their living p>

“How utterly dull,” Fernanda murmured, her tone edged with contempt.

“True. And your return to the Morgan family stirred up attention. But don’t worry—this spotlight will fade. It always does once someone else makes a mistake bigger than yours p>

Fernanda gave a slight nod in agreement.

Soon after, the car pulled up smoothly to the gates of Esaham University.

As evening deepened, the gates had already been closed, preventing outside vehicles from entering.

Ector parked near the entrance, and both he and Fernanda stepped out.

Though Fernanda suggested he wait in the car, Ector, concerned for her well-being, insisted on accompanying her.

Together, they walked through the quiet campus, heading directly to the esports academy where Fernanda had previously taken her exam.

Though the classrooms were locked, the building itself remained open, dimly lit and silent.

Fernanda pulled out her phone and tried to connect with Neal through the game, using her alternate account.

She saw he was already in a match, but when she tried to send a private message, she received a notification that his inbox was blocked—understandable, given his high rank on the leaderboard.

With a small sigh, Fernanda slipped her phone back into her pocket and crossed the street to the university’s residential area. The campus dormitories stretched across several blocks, forming a neat and orderly complex.

At the guardhouse, she inquired about the boys’ dormitory assigned to the esports department and was directed to Building 22.

Following the signs, she arrived at the entrance and waited for someone to enter.

Spotting a boy heading toward the door, she stepped forward.

“Excuse me,” she said, catching his attention. “Would you mind letting Neal know I’m here? Just tell him Fernanda—the opponent from his last solo match—is asking for him p>

The boy gave a quick nod. “Sure, just give me a minute p>

Before heading inside, he glanced back at Fernanda more than once, something about her seeming vaguely familiar.

Moments later, the door opened again.

A young man with unmistakably bright orange hair stepped out, eyes narrowing as he spotted Fernanda waiting outside.

Under the dim glow of the dormitory’s entrance light, Neal’s silhouette remained shadowy and indistinct, but the fiery hue of his hair stood out unmistakably.

Neal approached Fernanda with a curious gaze.

“What brings you here so late p>

“Do you have the key to your esports classroom?” Fernanda asked directly, her gaze sharp and unwavering.

Given Neal’s status as a leading figure in the esports academy, it was a safe assumption that he had access to the gaming room—a place where he likely spent countless hours honing his skills.

“Yeah,” Neal replied. “What do you need it for?” he asked, puzzled.

“Just lend it to me,” Fernanda said bluntly.

Neal shook his head and took a cautious step back, gesturing a polite refusal.

“Look, the esports classroom is strictly for current academy members, and you… you’re not one of us right now. Besides, I heard about your results p>

The moment the admissions list was published, the academy’s group chat exploded with chatter—mostly disappointment that Fernanda hadn’t made the cut.

Neal had been jolted from sleep by the nonstop ping of notifications. He felt a twinge of regret when he read the news. He’d been genuinely looking forward to having Fernanda as a competitor.

Still restless, he tried to distract himself with a game, but then one of the students knocked on his door with surprising news—Fernanda was downstairs waiting for him.

Baffled by her sudden appearance, Neal had come down, only to be met with her unexpected request.

“If you’re not willing to hand over the key,” Fernanda offered, her tone calm but insistent, “then at least let me borrow your computer. Anything that connects to the school’s academic affairs intranet will do p>

Neal scratched his head, clearly confused.

“What are you even trying to do p>

Fernanda didn’t answer directly. Instead, she met his eyes and asked,

“Tell me—do you want me as your classmate or not p>

Neal paused, but then gave a simple, firm nod.

“I do p>

He had been giving it some thought lately and had come to recognize Fernanda’s prowess. As someone who admired strong competitors, the idea of having such a capable classmate to game with genuinely excited him.

“Then please help me,” Fernanda urged, her expression earnest.

She knew she had other ways to reach her goal without Neal’s help, but they would be more complicated and far less efficient.

Neal paused, a thoughtful look crossing his face. He leaned in slightly, lowering his voice to a conspiratorial whisper.

“You’re not planning to do anything illegal, are you p>

Fernanda’s expression stayed serious as she firmly shook her head.

“Alright. Just wait here a moment. I’ll grab the key,” Neal said, his tone shifting to one of resolve. “But since I’m helping you, you have to agree to one condition p>

“Fine,” Fernanda replied, intrigued. “What is it p>

Neal’s gaze intensified as he leaned in a bit closer, his tone hushed but serious.

“Challenge me to another game. If I win, I want to switch back to my original username p>

Over the past few days, that new username had brought him nothing but relentless humiliation, and he was desperate to reclaim his pride.

A playful smile tugged at Fernanda’s lips.

“Agreed p>

“Don’t go back on it!” Neal shouted, already sprinting toward the dorm. “Wait for me—I’ll be back in a minute p>

In his haste, he stumbled on a step, nearly sending his flip-flops flying.

Fernanda watched him go, a small, amused smile curving her lips. She found his enthusiasm oddly endearing.