"You have disappointed me again, Justin." Chairman De Dios said as soon as he saw Justin sat on the sofa in his office.
Justin couldn't utter a word. He knows that his father is in fury as he couldn't do what the chairman wants. And that is for him to be the top elite, instead of John Paulo.
"Aren't you going to say something to save yourself?" Chairman De Dios coldly said that instantly made Justin's heart in a rumble.
"He is not going to do that, right?" Justin anxiously thought.
"C-chairman, I...I did my best. I'm sorry if I couldn't beat Sej---John Paulo, but I really did my best this time, Chairman!" Justin said while stuttering.
The chairman slowly moved towards Justin and gave him a hard slap. Justin could only hold his aching cheek and didn't dare to meet his father's eyes.
"I don't need you to do your best. Being the best is the only thing that I ask for you. I have given you everything, but you kept on being a disgrace to me!" Chairman De Dios furiously said.
"You know what's the consequence of being a failure, right? You have already consumed my patience," Chairman De Dios said.
As soon as Justin heard these words, he automatically knelt in front of his father and gripped his father's right leg.
"Chairman, no. Please. Give me another chance!" Justin said pleadingly.
"Guards!" Chairman shouted that summoned his bodyguards.
"You know where to bring him," the chairman coldly said.
The guards forcefully removed Justin's grip and apprehended him.
"Chairman, please. No! I'm begging you!" Justin said while being dragged out.
"Dad!" Justin screamed.
But the chairman lent no ears...
Meanwhile, the rest of the elites are waiting for Justin outside the science laboratory.
"Justin took a while. Will he be alright?" Stell said in worry.
They are aware of how strict Justin's father is. As much as they want to help Justin be on the top elite, Justin insisted that he be fair to Paulo. After all, an achievement is not fulfilling if you didn't get it fair and square.
John Paulo is too much worried that he didn't even utter a word ever since Justin left to see his father. He was too much in guilt, but he knows very well that his feelings can't help Justin either.
"I'm worried either. Should we go to him?" Josh said to the three.
Stell and Paulo nodded in agreement just as they were about to walk away when Ken suddenly speaks up.
"Have you forgotten what Justin said?" Ken coldly said, making the three stopped in an instant.
"The chairman dislikes seeing us going along with Justin as he thinks that he is complacent and lenient to us. Things will just go worse if we go to him right now and defend him." Ken said.
Out of frustration, Paulo couldn't help but punch the wall. He feels so enraged that he couldn't do something to help his friend.
"P-Paulo," Josh said while stuttering but Paulo didn't take a glance back at him.
"Paulo! What the heck?!" Stell scolded and immediately went to Paulo to check his fist.
It's starting to get reddish and for sure, it will get bruise later.
"Come with me. We'll go to the clinic!" Stell said and held Paulo's arms.
However, Paulo is not in the mood to be with anyone else. He declined Stell's offer.
"I can manage, Stell," Paulo briefly said and started to walk.
But before he could go further, Ken spoke once again.
"Let's trust Justin. He can take care of himself, Paulo."
Paulo just nodded silently and continued walking.
He heaved a deep sigh while walking ahead. No matter what Ken said, he just couldn't help himself but worry.
Paulo passed by the chairman's office. He stopped for a while, only to witness something intense. He immediately hid as someone went out of the office.
"Chairman, please! No! I'm begging you!"
Paulo's eyes widened in surprise to see Justin being dragged out of the office.
He contained himself from going out as he knows that it will only worsen the situation. But he didn't hesitate to follow Justin and the guards that are dragging him away.
Paulo clenched his fist in anger as he saw Justin going inside the restricted building, implying that he couldn't follow them anymore. That building is inaccessible to any student. If you get caught, you'll be immediately expelled from the university.
Paulo was left with no choice but to walk away but his thoughts were in chaos. He has a lot of questions in mind.
Why is the chairman so mad just because Justin can't beat him?
Why did they have to bring him to the restricted building?
And why is that building restricted from the students?
Despite the tons of questions, Paulo only has one thing for sure.
"I will save you, Justin. Just wait for me."