The school authorities came to me and said that, based on the report, they were going to question me in accordance with the procedures.

Willow wanted to accompany me to meet with the school board, but I declined. "Don't worry, I can handle it myself. Don't you have a part-time job? Go on ahead."

At my insistence, Willow went to work.

In the school office, I looked at the contents of the report. It stated that I spent all my time earning money and making videos, raising questions about whether I had time to study and whether my grades were genuine.

It also argued that since I already had considerable income, I should give the scholarship to students in greater need.

I responded calmly, "First, this is a scholarship, not a stipend. My grades meet the standard, so the scholarship should be mine."

I took out my phone and pulled up my social media account. The extensive footage I had accumulated during my daily studies now proved useful, and I presented it to the school board for review.

"My studies have not fallen behind a single day. If there are doubts about my grades, I accept being retested with a different exam paper."

The school board accepted my proposal. Under their supervision, I effortlessly began answering the questions on the new exam paper.

In the end, the school stated that my grades were genuine and that my scholarship wouldn't be revoked.

By the time I came out, it was already late. I called Willow, wanting to pick her up from work.

However, she didn't answer her phone even after a dozen calls.

Numerous terrible thoughts churned in my mind. I had lost Willow once before, and I certainly couldn't allow her to be in any danger again in this life.

I quickly calmed myself and hurried to where Willow was working part-time for the day. She was substituting as a waitress at a bar tonight.

As I passed by the entrance, I saw Macy's figure. She emerged from a fiery red supercar and tossed the keys to the doorman before sashaying inside.

A voice inside my head told me not to let Macy see Willow.

I rushed into the bar. I weaved through the crowd, but I couldn't see Willow anywhere. I grabbed a waitress and said, "Excuse me! Have you seen Willow?"

She looked around, puzzled. "Huh? She was just here."

After thanking her, I continued my search. Since Willow was just here, she couldn't have gone far. I would definitely find her.

A partially open door caught my attention. I pushed it open and found it led to the alley behind the bar.

The streetlight was broken, leaving the alley pitch black and impossible to see around. Faint, chaotic noises came from deeper in, and I followed the sound inward.

"Help!"

As I got closer, I heard a cry for help. It was Willow.

I grabbed a discarded beer bottle from the ground and charged forward.

"Sean! Let her go!"

Sean had Willow in a chokehold as he tried to drag her deeper into the darkness. I smashed the bottle over his head, and he reflexively let go of Willow, raising his hands to cover his head.

The flying shards cut his fingers, and he turned to look at me with murderous intent in his eyes. This look was one I had seen before.

Before he could react, I kicked him into a corner and hid Willow behind me.

Curled in the corner, Sean glared at me viciously. "Shane! Are you seeking revenge? You think you can beat me?"

I ignored his taunts and said, "Willow is innocent. You shouldn't hurt her."

Sean sneered. "Innocent? If you're doing well, it means she's not innocent! Why should you be doing well?"

I pushed Willow away and told her to wait for me at the alley's entrance.

Then, I looked down at Sean and feigned a sad expression. "I'm doing well? I have to work endless jobs. Isn't this the life you wanted for me?

"Anyway, I admit that I can't catch up to you in this lifetime. But if you hurt Willow… I don't mind going after Macy. You wouldn't want me appearing in front of her, would you?

"Speaking of, do you want me to help you with that? Guess who I just saw in the bar? It's the person you want to meet the most. Don't you want to seize the opportunity and enter the wealthy circle earlier?

"Macy is inside."