The day had been bright, and Sam had a spring in his step. He'd just finished his final paper, a culmination of years of hard work and dedication. It marked the last hurdle before he could receive his long-awaited certificate in three months. With his neatly printed paper in hand, he made his way to Professor Williams' office.
A polite knock echoed through the door, and a voice called out, "Come in." Sam entered and found Professor Williams sitting behind his cluttered desk, a stack of papers scattered around him.
"Good afternoon, Professor," Sam greeted, his anticipation palpable.
"Ah, Sam, come and sit down," Professor Williams said with a warm smile. Sam took a seat and exchanged pleasantries with his professor before handing over his meticulously prepared paper.
As Sam handed over his work, Professor Williams leaned forward, his expression serious. "Sam, there's something I'd like to discuss with you," he said, his tone dropping slightly. Sam, curious but apprehensive, replied, "Of course, Professor. What is it?"
The professor hesitated for a moment, choosing his words carefully. "You're familiar with Jason Smith, aren't you? The one from your year."
Sam nodded slowly, thinking about Jason. Jason Smith was a name known throughout the university, mostly for his wealth and playboy reputation. He wasn't known for his academic prowess or dedication to his studies.
"Yes," Sam replied cautiously, "I know of him. He's quite well-known around here."
Professor Williams leaned in and lowered his voice. "Well, Sam, you see, Jason won't be able to graduate with your batch this year."
Sam furrowed his brow in confusion. "I've heard rumors, but I didn't know it was confirmed. Why is that?"
The professor sighed, as if burdened by the information he was about to share. "Jason comes from an incredibly wealthy family, and they've taken an interest in you. They've asked me to make you an offer."
Sam's eyes widened in surprise. "An offer? For me?"
The professor nodded solemnly. "Yes. They're willing to offer you ten thousand dollars to let Jason submit your final paper as his."
Sam's heart skipped a beat. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. It was a substantial sum of money, and he could certainly use it. But he knew the consequences of such an action – he'd be compromising all his hard work and integrity.
Sam hesitated for only a moment before firmly responding, "No, Professor. I can't do that. I've worked too hard on this paper, and it wouldn't be right. Besides, if I don't submit it, I won't be able to graduate this year."
The professor tried to persuade him further, but Sam's determination held firm. He thanked the professor, submitted his paper, and left the office, his moral compass intact.
Little did Sam know that this decision would set in motion a series of events that would forever alter the course of his life.
After a few Days....
After the encounter with Professor Williams and his firm rejection of the dubious offer, life continued for Sam. He returned to his part-time job at the local convenience store, where he spent his days serving customers and ringing up purchases.
One bright afternoon, after dealing with a string of customers, Sam checked the clock hanging above the store's entrance. It was lunchtime. He approached his manager, Sarah, a friendly woman in her early forties.
"Sarah," Sam said with a polite smile, "I'm going for my lunch break."
Sarah nodded and returned the smile. "Of course, Sam. Enjoy your lunch. You've earned it."
Sam stepped out of the store and made his way to the nearby park. It was a peaceful spot, his haven away from the pressures of work and university life. He settled on a park bench, unwrapped his sandwich, and began eating while strolling through his phone, catching up on social media.
As he leisurely swiped through his feeds, a notification caught his eye—an email from the university's disciplinary committee. His heart skipped a beat as he tapped it open.
Subject: Allegation of Thesis Theft and Plagiarism
The email detailed the serious allegations against him. Sam was accused of stealing and plagiarizing a thesis, specifically Jason Smith's work. His heart raced as he read through the message, his mind racing to comprehend the gravity of the situation.
Unable to believe what he was reading, Sam hastily tapped out a reply:
Dear Committee,
I am writing to express my complete shock and disbelief at the allegations made against me. I have never engaged in any form of plagiarism or academic dishonesty. Furthermore, I take great care to use plagiarism checking software for all my work, and I can confirm that my thesis is entirely original.
I am more than willing to cooperate fully with any investigation to clear my name.
Sincerely,
Sam
Two days later, Sam found himself seated before the university's disciplinary committee, anxiety gnawing at him. For an hour, he pleaded his case, presenting evidence of his own hard work and dedication to academic integrity. Yet, the committee seemed unmoved, their expressions stern and unyielding.
Then came the blow—the committee accused him of plagiarizing Jason Smith's work. It all became clear to Sam. He was being targeted, and the reason was painfully evident: he was an orphan, with no influential backing or financial support. In this ruthless game, he was a vulnerable pawn.
To Sam's astonishment, the committee's verdict was swift and brutal. Not only was he expelled from the university, but they also publicly announced their findings, tarnishing his reputation. While some who knew Jason suspected the truth, no one came to Sam's defense. He was alone in this battle, a nobody facing the consequences of a deceitful scheme.
Two Days Later...
Two long and agonizing days had passed since Sam's expulsion from the university. The once-promising future he had envisioned was now a distant dream. He sat alone in his dimly lit apartment, the weight of his despair bearing down on him. The isolation was palpable; even his closest friends had abandoned him, unable or unwilling to support him in his darkest hour.
Amid this suffocating silence, Sam's phone buzzed. He picked it up with a sense of numbness, almost expecting more bad news. The email notification flashed on the screen, bearing the ominous
subject line: Scholarship Committee - Repayment Request.
His heart sank as he opened the message. The scholarship committee was demanding the repayment of the funds he had received during his time at the university, totaling a staggering $400,000. It was a sum he could scarcely comprehend, let alone repay. As an orphan, he had never possessed such wealth, and the cruel irony of it all overwhelmed him.
Desperation gnawed at Sam's soul. He glanced around his modest apartment, a stark contrast to the opulence that some of his fellow students enjoyed. All he had were a few personal belongings and a meager savings account with just $2,000. It was a sum that felt utterly insignificant in the face of the debt that now hung over him like a guillotine blade.
Tears welled up in his eyes as he realized the magnitude of his predicament. The world he knew had crumbled, and he felt utterly powerless to salvage anything from the wreckage of his life.
With trembling hands, Sam pushed himself up from his chair and began to walk aimlessly through the apartment. His thoughts were a chaotic whirlwind of despair, hopelessness, and regret. Each step he took felt heavier than the last, burdened by the unbearable weight of his circumstances.
As he reached the balcony, his vision blurred with tears, and his grip on the railing tightened. He stood there, on the precipice of a decision at this moment he said, "I give up."
The last thing he heard before everything went dark was a distant scream, echoing his own inner turmoil.
To be continued.....