Chapter 802
The situation with Jude was considered resolved, but the deadline for their departure to Wall Street was rapidly approaching.
Over the next few days, Harvey Rivers and Mira buried themselves in their studies, skipping meals and sleep as they desperately tried to cover the coursework they were about to miss.
When they went to the administration building to request a leave of absence, the Dean of Students gave them a stern warning. “Taking a leave is fine, but if you fall behind and fail your classes, the university will not permit you to take on a dual degree next academic year p>
“We understand. We’ll keep our grades up p>
“Come back to finalize the paperwork right before you leave. The clock starts the moment your leave is approved p>
“Understood p>
Although both were top-tier students, the curriculum at Aethelgard University was notoriously brutal. The competition was fierce, and no one admitted to this institution was a slacker.
While the trip to Wall Street was estimated to take fifteen to twenty days, executing high-stakes financial operations on foreign soil was unpredictable. No one could guarantee exactly how long they would be delayed.
Meanwhile, Owen was busy managing his own end. Aside from delegating corporate affairs, he was assisting Mira with raising capital while pressuring his assistants to expedite all their travel documentation.
Beyond passports and visas, they also needed to open corporate accounts to facilitate international capital flows, as Javenaire Federation brokerages refused direct transfers from mainland bank accounts.
During this time, the internet had exploded into absolute chaos.
Somehow, details from the previous night’s gala had leaked, spreading like wildfire across major forums and social networks p>
Given the sheer volume of news surrounding Mira recently, anything tied to her name instantly commanded massive public attention.
And this time, Jude Vance—having been thoroughly publicly humiliated-was caught directly in the crossfire.
People were deeply curious about Jude’s background and true identity.
Industry insiders, in particular, were desperate to know: why had he targeted Mira Mercer?
Aside from the select few who attended the banquet, the outside world remained completely in the dark.
As for the business executives and elites who had sided with Jude and had their faces figuratively slapped? They were currently avoiding the public eye like the plague.
Who would willingly broadcast their own humiliation?
It was an utter disgrace. If the truth got out, who in the industry would ever take them seriously again?
But they couldn’t suppress the ravenous curiosity of the netizens. A few instigators were even offering high bounties for insider details of the gala.
In a matter of hours, the “Financial Association” became the number one trending topic, dominating the front pages of every news platform.
Right at the peak of the frenzy, a
user going by the handle
“Justice Seeker” posted a series of massive updates leaking every single detail of the event entirely for free.
From the elite crowd’s condescending evaluation of the mainland market to Jude’s grand entrance, to his lingering graage over failing to acquire Solflare Capital.
Then came the revelation of Jude and Lawrence announcing their monopolistic
financial association in a blatant attempt to hijack the market.
It detailed Jude’s smug arrogance and the gleeful gloating of Lawrence, Seraphina, and their clique.
Next came the turning point: Owen
stepping up to the podium,
systematically dismantling and
publicly humiliating every single elite
analyst in the room, flipping the entire narrative p>
And finally, the standoff between the two government officials, which resulted in the immediate, crushing dissolution of the so-called association.
Jude and Lawrence’s total, unmitigated defeat p>
The writing was so vivid it felt like reading a front-row transcript, completely corroborated by short, undeniable video clips attached to the thread.
Just like that, the entire reality of the previous night’s gala was laid bare for the world to see.
The thread was forwarded and shared thousands of times, the comment section moving so fast it was a blur. The heat surrounding the scandal continued to skyrocket.
Mira, however, was far too busy to monitor social media.
As she walked out of the classroom that afternoon, Jillian bounded up to her, her face glowing with absolute triumph.
“Mira, you have to see this p>
It was only then that Mira realized the situation online had completely blown up.
Harvey Rivers and his roommates immediately crowded around her.
“Hell yes p>
“This is the power of the people. We just drove that Foreign Heir straight into the ground p>