Chapter 9 Leaked Video

"Why are you asking about that bastard?" I asked, trying not to give myself away.

"I was just worried. I don't know if he did anything to you that night," Irene said, taking a deep breath. "Faren is already an angry person. Maybe he bothered you because you're my friend," Irene added with concern.

Thinking about that night, I knew the real reason Faren targeted me was because of Irene. If I weren't Irene's friend, Faren wouldn't have bothered me. Indeed, Irene was the main cause of this animosity.

"Now that you've broken up with Windsor, that bastard won't bother us anymore," I said to Irene, not wanting to worry her. Windsor's departure had already shaken Irene. Even though Irene tried to appear strong, I could see that she was thinking about Windsor.

"Yes, I broke up with Windsor. We broke up!" Irene said, speaking in a firm voice but with sad eyes as she thought of Windsor. "But if anything happens, you must tell me," she added.

"Okay," I said, wanting to close the subject.

In the Parking Lot

"Are you really not going to skip the afternoon class?" Irene asked as we left the building and walked towards the parking lot.

"I've used up all my allowed absences as a student. If I skip one more time, I won't be able to take the exams."

"I'm afraid of losing my scholarship," I replied to Irene. Due to poor grades in previous terms, I had already lost half of my scholarship. I hadn't had time to study because of part-time jobs.

Actually, I'm not a smart or talented person. I just work very hard because if I don't get a scholarship, I can't study at this university. I chose this university because it offers scholarships, dormitory facilities, and a monthly allowance for study materials.

"Stay with me after classes," Irene said, unlocking her car. "I don't want to be alone tonight, stay with me."

"Okay, I'll come and cook for you after classes," I said immediately. "Don't worry Irene, even if you don't have a boyfriend, I'm here with you," I said, squeezing her shoulder.

"Come right after classes," Irene said, waving as she walked to her car.

"I don't want to be alone tonight either," I thought, watching Irene. After what I've been through recently, I didn't want to go back to my dorm. I knew I wouldn't be able to sleep there for a few more nights because I was scared of everything.

"Ah," I said, trying to hold back my tears. People might not understand my friendship with Irene. Irene was a beautiful, successful girl from a wealthy family. I was just an ordinary scholarship student. After my mother's death, our family's financial situation worsened.

Since I became friends with Irene, I never asked her for money. Irene was always ready to help, but I never asked for financial assistance. I didn't want people to think I was friends with Irene for her money. At the university, I faced gossip, but only Irene and I knew the truth of our friendship.

The reason I was friends with Irene was because she was a comforting person. Despite her angry and irritable nature, we understood each other. I shared everything with Irene, and I knew I was truly friends with her.

Communication Faculty B Block

"Nam Khing!" someone called from a distance. When I turned, I saw my scholarship rival, Toei Hom.

"What is it, Toei Hom?" I asked with a slight smile. I had a bad feeling because I rarely talked to Toei Hom. We usually met at university events or competitions.

"Professor Waree wants to see you immediately," Toei Hom said with a serious expression.

"Professor Waree?" I asked, raising my eyebrows. Professor Waree was the head of our faculty. "What could the professor want with me?" I asked, worried.

"About your scandal video," Toei Hom said. I collapsed to the ground in shock.

"Scandal video?" I said with a trembling voice.

"Yes, the video uploaded to the university's website," Toei Hom said, nodding. The blood drained from my face, and I didn't dare look at anyone. For a moment, everything froze.

"The video of you throwing water on Faren's face," Toei Hom said. "The professor is waiting for you," she added.

I looked at Toei Hom, who smiled slightly but then turned serious. "As scholarship students, we shouldn't get involved with others," she said. "This university is full of rich and powerful kids," she said, sighing.

Toei Hom's words were true. At that moment, all I could do was stand silently. "I'm not stressing you out, am I?" Toei Hom said.

"No, thank you," I said, thanking her politely. "Good luck," Toei Hom said, patting my shoulder. "iPhone cameras really capture everything clearly," she said with a sorrowful expression as she walked away.

As I watched her leave, she was holding a new iPhone. "I wonder if Toei Hom recorded the video," I thought. But I had no evidence, just a suspicion.

Professor Waree's Office

"As professors, we have decided on the negative behavior of our students," Professor Waree said with a serious expression. "Disciplinary action will be taken. It has been decided to revoke your scholarship," she said, handing me a document to sign.

"Professor Waree, you had already reduced my scholarship by half last term. I had to work very hard," I said, returning the document. "Does the university not care about its students? There are male students who fight, but why am I the only one being punished?" I asked.

"Have you forgotten that you're a student?" the professor said, handing the document back to me. "There is a difference between scholarship students and full-paying students," she said.

"So rich and poor students are not equal?" I said, unable to control my anger. I looked at the document and held the pen tightly.

"You're being disrespectful to the professor, Nam Khing!" the professor said, raising her voice. "I was just curious," I said, my voice trembling.

"You receive free education, your dorm expenses are covered, and you receive a monthly allowance," she said. "Scholarship students should be exemplary," she said.

"After watching the video, we saw that you attacked an engineering faculty student," she said. "Therefore, we must revoke your scholarship," she said, pressuring me to sign the document.

With tears in my eyes, I signed the document. "You will graduate next term," the professor said. I nodded. We had to graduate in three and a half years.

"After the scholarship is revoked, you can take out a student loan," the professor said. "You can find a job and repay your debt after graduation," she said.

"Now you can return to your classes," the professor said. "Thank you, Professor," I said as I left the office.

The professor placed Toei Hom's scholarship application behind my documents. "They're going to revoke my scholarship and give it to Toei Hom," I thought.

"Continue your studies without causing any trouble," the professor said. "Yes," I said in a normal voice, clenching my fists. As I left the office, tears started to flow. I couldn't handle the pressure and stress.

Between Communication Faculty A and B Blocks

Suddenly, someone grabbed my arm and pulled me to the corner of the building. "Ah, it hurts!" I said, my injured arm in pain. "How are you?" said a cold voice.

Even without turning around, I knew who it was. From his voice, the scent of his perfume, and the cigarette smoke, it was obvious. "Why are you crying when you see your husband's face?" he said, smoking a cigarette.