Chapter fourteen: A Subtle Encounter
The next morning, Quinn Parker once again found himself stepping out of his apartment, ready to walk to university. He was deep in thought, planning the steps for his next move in the shadows—an island base, robots, manufacturing lines. But all these ideas were far from his immediate reality. For now, he still had to attend classes and deal with the mundane obligations of student life.
Just as he turned the corner of the street, a familiar figure appeared in the distance. Lisa was there again, standing by the intersection, waving at him. She had a bright smile on her face, her usual cheery self.
"Morning, Quinn!" she called out, her voice cutting through the morning hum of the city.
Quinn felt a strange sense of unease crawl up his spine. He narrowed his eyes slightly, wondering why she seemed to always appear just as he was leaving his apartment. Was she waiting for him deliberately? It felt like more than a coincidence now. But he quickly dismissed the thought. Stop being paranoid, he told himself. Lisa was friendly, sure, but there was no reason to assume she had some ulterior motive. He had more important things to worry about.
"Morning," he replied flatly, trying to brush off his suspicion.
They began walking together, Lisa falling into step beside him, chatting away about random things. The same carefree banter as always. As they walked past shops and buildings, Quinn let her words wash over him, his mind returning to his more pressing concerns.
Despite the suspicions nagging at the back of his mind, Quinn couldn't afford to let small distractions like Lisa interfere with his grander ambitions. He needed to stay focused.
When they arrived at the university, the familiar sight of NYU's campus came into view. Students moved in groups, heading toward their various classes, filling the area with chatter and laughter. But Quinn's destination was clear—he had a class with Professor William, and he wasn't looking forward to it. Not because of the subject matter, but because he was behind on his tuition payments, and William, though kind-hearted, had mentioned it before.
The lecture hall was filled with students by the time they arrived. Lisa waved goodbye to Quinn and made her way to another class, leaving him to his thoughts once again. As Quinn settled into his seat, the door opened, and in walked Professor William.
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Professor William: The Scholar
Professor William was the kind of man who seemed as though he had been plucked from the pages of a bygone era. His white hair was combed back neatly, his spectacles perched on the bridge of his nose as he scanned the room with a gaze that held both wisdom and warmth. He was tall, with a slight stoop that betrayed his age, but his presence still commanded respect.
Professor William had been at NYU for over three decades, teaching economics and business management to countless students. He had earned a reputation as one of the most compassionate and intellectually rigorous professors on campus. Despite his scholarly demeanor, there was something approachable about him, as though he genuinely cared about each and every student in his class. He wasn't the kind of professor who intimidated with harsh grades or strict deadlines. Instead, he preferred to inspire through patience, challenging students to think critically, but also offering guidance to those who struggled.
His background was equally impressive. A Rhodes Scholar in his youth, William had traveled the world before settling into academia. He had written numerous books on the subject of global economics, many of which were still used as references in classrooms across the world. But despite all his achievements, he had never developed an air of arrogance. If anything, his long years of study had only made him more humble.
He was known to be a mentor to students outside the classroom as well, often offering advice or opportunities for internships through his numerous connections in the business world. However, the one thing Professor William was known to be firm about was the necessity of students taking their education seriously. And that included paying tuition fees on time.
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As Quinn watched Professor William set up his lecture materials, he couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt. He respected William, and out of all the professors he had encountered, William was the only one who made an effort to understand the struggles of students like him. But even with that understanding, there was no getting around the fact that he owed the university money.
The lecture began as usual, Professor William going over the complexities of international trade agreements. His voice, though calm and steady, carried a certain weight that made even the most disinterested students sit up and pay attention. There was something about the way he spoke that made economic theory feel like a living, breathing thing, rather than just numbers on a page.
Halfway through the lecture, however, Professor William paused. He looked up from his notes and scanned the room until his eyes landed on Quinn.
"Mr. Parker," he called out, his voice gentle yet firm. "Could I have a word with you after class?"
Quinn froze for a moment, feeling the eyes of several students shift toward him. He could feel his stomach drop. It wasn't hard to guess what William wanted to talk about. He simply nodded, his face expressionless, and tried to focus on the rest of the lecture.
The remaining hour dragged on, Quinn's mind racing as he tried to figure out what he would say. It wasn't as though he could explain the real reason he was behind on payments. Running a covert operation with the help of an advanced AI doesn't leave much room for paying tuition, he thought bitterly.
After class, as the other students filed out of the room, Quinn stayed behind, approaching Professor William's desk slowly. The professor gave him a small, understanding smile, adjusting his glasses as he gathered his papers.
"Quinn," he said, "I'm aware that things may be difficult for you financially right now. But the university requires you to settle your tuition fees soon. I'd hate to see someone with your potential get caught up in unnecessary problems because of money."
Quinn nodded stiffly. "I understand, professor. I'm working on it."
"I'm sure you are," William said kindly, but there was a note of concern in his voice. "If you need help, don't hesitate to reach out. There are options available for students in your position."
Quinn wanted to scoff, but he held his tongue. He wasn't about to ask for help from anyone. He was building something far bigger than anyone here could understand. If only they knew what he was capable of. But for now, he had to play the role of the struggling student.
"I'll take care of it soon," Quinn said, his tone flat but respectful.
Professor William nodded, still wearing that same kind smile. "Good. I believe in you, Quinn. Don't let this obstacle hold you back."
Quinn left the room, feeling a strange mix of irritation and gratitude. William's words were meant to be encouraging, but they only served as a reminder of how trapped he felt in this world of rules and expectations. He had far bigger plans than paying off his student loans, and yet, here he was, stuck in a system that refused to see beyond its own narrow scope.
As he walked back toward his apartment, Quinn's mind began racing again. He had to get this operation off the ground—fast. The idea of the island, the secrecy, the empire he would build—it was all within reach. All he needed was the right strategy, and no one would ever be able to hold him back again.
With Nexus by his side, guiding his every move, he was ready to take on the world.