I presented the girls with an array of business opportunities, offering a list of prospects I believed would flourish. I deliberately abstained from exerting any influence over their decision-making process, granting them the autonomy to craft their own plans. They were free to choose their paths, selecting suitable partners and determining how their financial resources would be allocated.
Concurrently, I instructed Cain to conduct thorough background checks on the individuals involved. After all, prudence is paramount.
Meanwhile, the threshold of high school graduation loomed on the horizon. Since the dean had sanctioned my absence from classes, limiting my participation to exams only, I adhered to this arrangement without fail.
Remarkably, I excelled in my examinations despite my absenteeism. The professors bestowed accolades upon me, casting me as a prodigious intellect. It would have been a source of embarrassment had I faltered in answering high school-level queries.
Reactions to my approach were varied, with some students regarding me favorably while others harbored antipathy. Yet, I remained untroubled by such polarized sentiments. Fortuitously, lunchtime was upon us, the highlight of my school day. Nevertheless, the post-lunch hours yielded nothing extraordinary, prompting me to retrieve my belongings and make my home.
"Have you contemplated your prospects for university?" my father inquired, the subject arising during our evening repast.
As the culmination of high school approached, I had yet to confer with my parents regarding my university trajectory. Frankly, I hadn't accorded much thought to it. "As long as they offer linguistic studies," I replied, my consideration relatively cursory.
"Lei, why not consider Grand Lakes University?" Yara interjected with a beseeching gaze. Her earnest eyes pleaded my consideration, echoing her heartfelt sentiment.
"Allow him to decide for himself," Haya interjected, her twin earning a reproachful look. Yet, a glimpse in her eyes revealed a harmony in their wishes—to keep me close. The dining table hung in a moment of suspended emotions, and our mother, though silent, exuded an air of melancholy that permeated the room.
"I am giving it a thought," I responded, evading my father's gaze by returning my attention to my plate.
"Our concern isn't your choice of career, but your commitment to attaining a degree," my father declared, his voice holding a stern edge that resonated with each of us siblings. His countenance mirrored his resoluteness.
Thus, the topic was tabled and lay dormant until it was reignited a week later.
"Enroll at Arden University in Singapore." The nearly broken cup of tea bore testimony to my surprise. Engrossed in the tranquility of my balcony, my laptop's screen abruptly illuminated, projecting the impassive visage of Michael Eclair.
"Arden boasts exceptional programs in linguistics and the arts. Your linguistic expertise will find further nurturing there," he articulated with the unassailable authority that often graced his voice.
Cain, I thought.
A small smile materialized on my lips as I met his gaze. "I merely seek a degree, an achievement that is attainable within my locale. Moreover, securing admission to Arden University is no small feat."
The reputation of Arden University as a bastion of scholarly excellence preceded it. Its renown spanned diverse disciplines, encompassing business, engineering, linguistics, architecture, and the arts. Successfully gaining entry into such a prestigious institution was an accomplishment celebrated by many, given its proclivity for admitting only the elite—those who were either wealthy, renowned, or possessed prodigious intellect.
The steely resolve in Uncle Michael's eyes remained unwavering. "It is time to expand your horizons. By confining yourself to solitude, you forfeit more than your privileges. Consider this an opportunity for renewal."
Just as I was about to interject, he forestalled my words, his voice resolute. "Though you have indulged in the pleasures wealth can afford, you have regrettably grown stagnant, lacking ambition. Exposure to peers of comparable status and age is crucial. Perhaps within this new milieu, you may find a fresh purpose, an alternative form of engagement."
My response was arrested, my silence a testament to the truth in his words. His insight was an invitation for exploration, an entreaty I hadn't anticipated from him. "I will oversee your admission," he pronounced with a wry grin, his approach tantamount to entering through the rear door of opportunity.
"In that case, I shall gratefully accept your offer." Following a few moments, he terminated the call, leaving me seated on my balcony, contemplative. Shortly thereafter, I rose from my seat, a renewed purpose propelling me in search of my parents. Their presence was imperative for the decisions that lay ahead.