Chapter 90: Subtle Reminder

Walking through the lobby of the dormitory came with its own stares. Murmurs and whispers flew around as the students watched Adam casually walk as though he had not been locked up for days.

The look on his face was uninviting, as everyone who saw him cleared a path for him to pass. He held his uniform jacket over his left shoulder, his first button left undone.

Before he could get to one of the elevators, he caught sight of two students he was all too familiar with.

Ryner Sterling and Derek Blackthorn.

A subtle smile tugged at his lips as he turned towards them, his gait confident and relaxed.

The two boys stopped in their tracks the moment they saw Adam approaching them, their expressions unsightly. Had it been up to them, Adam would have been expelled the moment the charges were issued against him.

"What do you want?" Ryner asked through clenched teeth, trying to appear casual with his hands tucked into his pockets.

Adam’s subtle smile widened a bit more. He looked at the two boys in tandem, taking in their bitter expressions.

Derek looked around the lobby worriedly. He did not like the eyes that settled on them. His eyes eventually fell on Adam with a glare.

"You know, I was kind of disappointed when I heard you two weren’t in on the scheme," Adam said smugly. "Too bad for that redhead friend of yours, though."

James Mardner had been on the scheme to get him framed, putting that boy on the list of those who would be dismissed.

"So what... you’re here to rub it in our faces?" Ryner snarled, wanting nothing more than to punch Adam in the face.

"Hahaha... No, no. You misunderstand." Adam laughed like he truly meant it, putting a hand on his stomach and all.

The laughter abruptly came to a stop as his expression turned serious. Looking right into their eyes, he continued. "This is me reminding you guys that the day I catch even a scent of the two of you involved in anything that has to do with me, being expelled will be the least of your worries.

"That vice-principal and everyone involved got off easy. Imagine what would have happened had all his dirty little secrets been exposed."

Adam watched as the colour drained from the faces of the two boys, realisation dawning on them.

Everyone had been, and was still, wondering how such an elaborate setup had failed so spectacularly. The trail of clues left behind was so obvious that it baffled even the smartest of minds.

What if someone had opened that trail?

The smile on Adam’s face grew as he accomplished his goal. They could go around claiming he had something to do with exposing the setup. But with no proof of his involvement, it would only remain speculative.

Then again, would they draw that much attention and distrust to themselves by claiming someone had uncovered a setup that should have succeeded?

Adam stepped in close and whispered one more thing between the two boys. "You guys wouldn’t want everyone finding out what you did in the city, do you?"

Ryner and Derek stood frozen as though they had seen a ghost.

"What did he say to them?"

"Don’t know. But whatever it is, it sure as hell terrified them."

"Do you think we can still become friends with him?"

"I don’t think so. After everything he has been through, he would keep his distance from those he doesn’t already know. I know I will."

Whispers exploded across the lobby as those observing saw the horror on the faces of Derek and Ryner.

Adam stepped back, taking in their horrified expressions and smiled. That should keep them in line. He was done dancing to the tune of small fries.

That time he spent in cyberspace was a lot more fruitful than anyone could imagine. With his almost [100%] understanding of information systems and how they functioned, there was almost no wall he couldn’t break into. Even the academy’s main system could not stop him.

He had learned a great deal of things, browsing through data he didn’t even know existed. The only problem was that exploring and uncovering deleted data became a lot more challenging when cyberspace expanded to the size of massive cities. And it took a lot of mental focus.

"See you around." Adam turned around to leave, only to pause when he saw two beautiful girls staring at him with curiosity in their eyes.

Their eyes drifted from him to the two horrified boys behind him and back again.

"What did you do to them?" Riley asked.

"Yeah... They look like they’ve seen a ghost." April added, craning her neck to look over Adam’s shoulder.

Adam’s smile turned genuine as he looked over his shoulder and replied, "Nothing in particular. We were just exchanging greetings after many days apart."

"You don’t say..." Riley did not believe a word Adam said. "Well, whatever. I have something to say to them myself."

Taking a few steps forward, she came to stand beside Adam and faced the duo.

Adam took a step back to give the silver-haired girl space. He wondered if something was going on that he didn’t know about.

"As you two have clearly seen, Adam is not what you made him out to be." Riley began, uncaring about their dilemma. "So there will be no apologies."

Adam leaned toward April and asked softly, "What’s this about?"

Mirroring his action, April whispered, "She confronted them about your setup when we heard about it, stating that she would apologise if you turned out to be what you were accused of."

"I see..."

Adam nodded and straightened, staring at the silver-haired girl. He glanced at April too and thought, ’So they stood up for me when most thought I was guilty.’

April, he kind of understood. Riley, on the other hand, was a different matter entirely. They had only begun interacting not long ago. He couldn’t even call her a true friend. But the girl believed in his character regardless.

The thought warmed his heart.

Riley turned around after saying her piece, walking past her friends as she made her way to the elevator lobby. April followed after the girl, while Adam took one last look at the two boys.

"Stay out of trouble, alright."

Adam turned around and went after the two girls. He would not have to worry about anything from them if they knew what was good for them and their reputations.