Chapter 45 Roll call on the spot

At that moment, the host on stage enthusiastically handed the microphone to Sullivan.

"Sullivan, thank you for your immense contribution to our alma mater! Do you have anything you'd like to say to the leaders, alumni, and all the students and faculty present?"

Sullivan took the microphone, looking proud as he faced the audience of thousands.

"Hello everyone, I am Sullivan, an alumnus from the class of '12.""During my three years at this school, I still remember the old principal's words—'Today, I am proud of my school; in the future, my school will be proud of me!'"

"Unfortunately, after many years since graduation, I've only made a little money in the business world. I wouldn't call myself a significant contributor to society."

"Today, this donation of one million dollars is just a small token of my appreciation for our school. It's really nothing."

The crowd erupted in murmurs.

Many people looked at Sullivan with envy, jealousy, and even resentment, their eyes fixed on him. Donating a million dollars to the school? That amount could make it to the evening news on the provincial TV station, and he called it nothing?

This Sullivan, was he showing off?

"Heh, I guess many of you think I'm just putting on a show," Sullivan said, smiling as if he had anticipated their thoughts. "But I'm being completely sincere."

"Before I came on stage to donate, a high school classmate of mine made a bet with me."

"No matter how much I donate today, he promised to donate ten times more!"

"Now, please have him come up immediately!"

Hiss...

Sullivan's words made everyone present gasp in shock.

"Oh my goodness! Sullivan donated ten million to our alma mater. If his classmate is donating ten times that amount, wouldn't that be... a whole hundred million?!"

"Are you kidding me? Sullivan is only twenty-five or twenty-six years old, and donating ten million is already astonishing. Where would his classmate get a hundred million to donate?"

"Exactly! We're just from an ordinary small town. Where would a young billionaire come from?"

The entire venue was in an uproar.

Everyone couldn't help but whisper to each other, glancing over at the alumni section where Sullivan was seated.

They all wanted to know which young person dared to boast such a claim, promising to donate ten times Sullivan's ten million.

Even the leaders on the stage couldn't stay seated.

They all stood up, looking over at the alumni section with faces full of shock.Especially the school leaders, whose faces were flushed with excitement.

Sullivan's ten million donation was already a huge surprise for them, like a satellite launch.

If someone could donate a hundred million, these school leaders would practically worship that person.

With a hundred million, it wouldn't just be about building a few teaching buildings; they could create an entirely new modern campus.

Seeing everyone turning their heads to look over, Dunn's face turned dark, and he gritted his teeth, "Berloff Reed, don't be impulsive! Sullivan is setting you up on purpose!"

The Little Phoenix was fuming. "Exactly! It was supposed to be a private bet, but that jerk Sullivan announced it loudly on stage in front of thousands of people. It's just too despicable."

Pepper glared at Sullivan on the stage with hatred. "That Sullivan is shameless! He doesn't care about our camaraderie at all. He just wants to ruin Berloff Reed!"

Ignatius and Perry, Sullivan's lackeys, couldn't stand hearing their master being badmouthed and immediately jumped in.

"Stop slandering Sullivan! It was Berloff Reed who insisted on betting with him. Sullivan is just telling the truth."

"Yeah, a real man should own up to his actions! If Berloff Reed was foolish enough to challenge Sullivan in a wealth contest, he should stand up like a man now!"

At this moment, the host on stage smiled and said, "I didn't expect our alumni from the 12th batch to be so talented and resourceful. Sullivan just donated a million dollars, and now another student is willing to donate ten times that amount. It's truly admirable!"

"Since that's the case, let's give a warm welcome to the alumnus who made the bet with Sullivan, shall we?"

Clap, clap, clap...

The host started clapping first, genuinely believing Sullivan's words and not realizing that Sullivan was setting a trap to publicly humiliate Berloff Reed.

Clap, clap, clap...

Following the host's lead, the audience hesitated for a moment before joining in with scattered applause.

Then, the leaders on the stage also began to clap enthusiastically, making the applause grow louder and more intense.

Dunn, Pepper, and the others were now in a complete panic.

"Berloff Reed, what are we going to do now?"

"This is it. There's no way out now!"

"In front of all these people, breaking a promise like this is social suicide back home."

...

Ignatius and Perry, standing nearby, both let out sinister laughs.

"Hahaha... Berloff Reed, now you know what happens when you go against Sullivan! You totally deserve this!""After today, you might as well never go back home. You'll just be a laughingstock, a total outcast."

Those high school classmates who were planning to side with Sullivan also joined in to mock Berloff.

"Sigh, Berloff, you knew Sullivan was loaded. Why did you even try to compete with him? Now look at you, making a fool of yourself in front of thousands."

"Remember to keep a low profile next time. Don't let your pride get you into trouble!"

"Do you still think it's like school days, where good grades meant teachers and the school would protect you? Wake up,man! We graduated long ago, and you're not in the same league as Sullivan anymore!"

Under everyone's watchful eyes, Berloff suddenly stood up, a calm smile on his face.

"Excuse me, everyone. I need to go on stage to make a donation to our alma mater."

This scene left not only his classmates but also the entire audience in shock.

"Wow! It's Berloff Reed! The top student from the class of '12, who was the highest scorer in the entire school back then.""So it's him! I heard he got into Silk City University. In just a few years, he can already donate a million dollars to his high school?"

"Unbelievable! So young and already a billionaire. From now on, we can use Berloff Reed as an example to encourage students to study hard," remarked one of the many elderly teachers at the event who had taught Berloff back in the day. They couldn't help but feel a sense of pride and amazement.

However, Berloff's former classmates had less kind things to say.

"Hmph, let's see if you have the guts!"Ignatius crossed his arms, his face full of disdain. "When you get up there and can't donate a single cent, let's see how you handle the embarrassment!"

Perry smirked, "Heh, unless Berloff Reed plans to burn paper money for the school, there's no way he can come up with a billion!"

Dunn and the others clenched their fists, their faces filled with worry as they watched Berloff.

With his head held high and a determined stride, Berloff walked up to the podium, under the watchful eyes of thousands.