Tricked in a Marriage with the Ruthless CEO

Episode 2

Chapter 2. Tell me, why should I help you?

Draco shifted, a feeling of foreboding washing over him. Although he wanted to refuse, his own will seemed to betray him, and he heard himself ask,

"Tell me, why should I help you?" His voice was cold and devoid of emotion.

Vicky, as her friends called her, blinked several times. She hadn't quite considered that question when she sought him out.

"I… I haven't thought about it. It would be an act of charity for a scholarship student. I'm at the top of my class, I study hard, I'm very dedicated, and I really need this help. I only have one year left. I'll work for you, for half the salary for a year. Please, I can't afford this university without my scholarship. If they take it away from me, I won't be able to finish my studies," she said, her gaze filled with sadness. She knew that this man hated her family, but having left that town as a child, she didn't know anyone else as powerful in that place as Draco Lennox.

Draco's gaze pierced through her, making her even more nervous. Something told him this was a bad idea.

"Do you have a boyfriend, Victoria?" the man asked, picking up his papers again.

"Huh? No, I don't. I don't have time for that. Besides, I have a part-time job at a coffee shop to pay my rent. I can't waste time on that," she said, almost whispering in embarrassment. She had been left alone with her grandmother, and although they weren't poor, they couldn't afford tuition at good universities. So Victoria worked hard to get scholarships to the best ones, hoping to secure a good job in the future.

The man's eyes glinted inexplicably, but she didn't see it as he continued to look at his papers.

"Well, I'll talk to the dean. Come back tomorrow at this time and tell me how things are going. My assistant will save my number in your cell phone, and you can give me yours. You can go now," he said dryly and with disinterest.

Vicky walked out a little bewildered. She didn't understand anything, but if he helped her, she would be happy. Although she didn't see him as eager to do so, at least she had tried.

As she left, Draco called Milan. He had a task for him.

"First, get me all the information you can on her. And when you have everything, I want you to tell Dean Leroy of the university that I want to meet with him. Let's see what's going on."

***

At the university, Milenka Hannah, a girl from a wealthy family, harbored a deep hatred for Vicky. From the moment she saw her at the university, she had despised her. Vicky's simple clothing and lack of money put her in a bad mood, but what she hated most was that Luis Melis, the most handsome boy in the university, was head over heels in love with Victoria, who wouldn't give him the time of day. He spoke to her confidently, and she was nothing more than a friend, but to Milenka, the scholarship student was a flirt who was only looking for a rich man to elevate her status. She was just playing hard to get to see who would pay more for her.

In the dean's office, she and a professor were voicing their complaints against Victoria Levin.

"Dean, that young woman's grades have dropped. She's getting bad marks and doesn't deserve such an important scholarship," said the man, looking at the dean with pride. The dean simply scratched his head.

"Dean, those of us who come from good families and pay our tuition are the ones who fund these scholarships. That girl is a fraud. There are even rumors that she cheats, that she gets the exams in advance through immoral methods," Milenka said with pure hatred.

The middle-aged man sighed. If things continued like this, he would have to take away that girl's scholarship. Although she was an excellent student, she was causing him a lot of problems.

"Well, I'll see what happens. We'll withdraw Victoria Levin's scholarship at tomorrow's board meeting," the frustrated man said.

As they left, the dean could only shake his head. He had known that young woman's grandmother for years, and he was happy that the girl was studying there, especially on her own merit. But it seemed that powerful people wanted to destroy her, not only because of her intelligence but also because of her beauty.

***

A few hours later, Milan entered his boss's office. He had to give him the report on young Victoria, although he found it strange that Draco was interested in this matter, especially in that family.

"Sir, here's what I've found on Miss Victoria. It's all very straightforward," Milan said, watching as his boss looked up from his papers and took the folder with the information.

Indeed, Victoria's grades had dropped in one subject, although she had requested a review of her exams by the faculty council, which had been denied. What caught his attention the most was the name Milenka Hannah. She was the daughter of a nouveau riche family; her father had harassed him some time ago with business proposals and an arranged marriage with economic benefits, the only beneficiary being Mr. Hannah. So Draco had sent him packing.