Father and Son

It's already midnight but Ridger couldn't sleep no matter how much he tries because he's been bothered by the conversation he had with his friends earlier in their hideout. It turns out that there are some holes in Maxene's credentials. First, her biological parents are dead, meaning she's been living alone. There are no infos how she's paying her tuition but her educational background shows she has prestigious school history.

"She definitely has a backer. But who would willingly pay more than half a million pesos per semester? Note that she paid her 1st semester double," he pondered to himself while staring at his grey ceiling that has dimmed corner lights.

"The school charges aren't the same as your tuition fee, it's probably lower. But most of the time, parents would just pay double so the enrollment process will be faster. The school would consider the student VIP and would be admitted with ease. Why would her backer do that when there are a lot of universities that would accept her without overcharges?"

Ridger remembered the conversation he had with Nathan when they talked in their hideout earlier in the afternoon. He said, "I talked to Melinda earlier when she sat beside me in the class. She said they met Maxene early in the morning. They found out that Maxene was an orphan who had someone else paying for her tuition. She said she was offended when she found out that Maxene didn't really choose the university herself but the person who's paying for her education."

It made Ridger even more curious about whoever is behind Maxene. He thought that he might be overthinking things because this could all mean nothing but something inside him finds this unusual. Nathan even got Maxene's entrance exam score and it's just an average of 85% which is the passing grade to successfully enter the school. But why would someone rich pay for the education of a woman who's not even that smart? And she even chose Fine arts when she doesn't seem to have talent in arts in her test results?

Ridger wouldn't question it if she chose Engineering because she scored best in math, but why Fine arts? Or Architecture?

"Fine arts… where Lian is… the only daughter of the multi-billionaire Geniere Arthur Falcon," he mumbled to himself as he slowly clenched his fist. "Could the person behind her be my father's business enemy?"

At first, he just thought that Maxene could be a bad friend but things turns out differently and something bigger might be going on.

"I have to talk to Dad," he thought to himself and spring out of his bed. He knows that his father sleeps late at night and there is a higher chance that he's still awake so he took the chance and heads to his office which is on the ground floor.

Except for Ridger's room, which is in an industrial design, the entire house interior is in a medieval style, revealing how wealthy they are and how classic his parents' tastes are. When he left the room, only the wall lights were turned on, leading to the staircase, which had only the moonlight shining through the enormous window because the chandeliers were turned off. Then he went down the corridor and straight to the last door, which leads to his father's office.

He knocked three times on the door and asked, "Dad? It's me, Ridger. Are you in there?"

A little green light appeared next to the door handle, indicating that his father was still inside. That's his cue to confirm his identification and come in. He placed his thumb in the scanner above the light, and when it went green, he placed his right eye twelve inches above the scanner. The door immediately clicked open once his identification was verified.

Ridger grabbed the knob and slowly opened the door where he was welcomed by the displayed old books and his father's favorite scented candle that lingered in his nostrils. When he turned right, he saw his father, sitting at his desk while on his laptop, a few meters away from him.

"Something's bothering you, it seems," Geniere said while his eyes were still on his work. As usual, he's wearing his UV-protected reading glasses while having his third cup of tea. "Be seated," he added and pointed at the chair in front of his desk.

Geniere knew his son. Ridger would always pay him a visit when he was bothered by something. Usually, Ridger doesn't approach him when the problem can be solved by himself, but when things are different, he asks his father for advice.

Ridger did as his father said while staring at his work. On his right, there were documents on the table related to recent crimes, while on his left were his other business matters.

"I knew I came at the wrong time but there is something really bothering me," Ridger started with a serious look on his face.

"Continue," Geniere briefly replied then closed his laptop to focus on whatever his son was about to say.

"Would you support someone's education if their intelligence is just average?" he queried. His father has been supporting students but there are qualifications before they get scholarship.

"No, but there are exemptions. If they showed dedication to work at the firm, and lastly, if the child came from a family that is dear to me," he replied, suddenly his expression changed as if he was reminded of something.

Ridger noticed this and inquired, "Have you done that before? The latter, I mean." Ridger knew that his father has been supporting students who are financially unstable but wanted to help bring justice to those who were wronged. What ticks his curiosity was the last thing his father said. Everyone knew that his father was orphaned since birth so he had no other relatives than them. So why would he think of that?

"That's hypothetical," Geniere simply answered.

Ridger slowly nodded his head and proceeded. "Hypothetically speaking, would you sponsor a student to University Royale, and pay double just so they could get in?"

"No," Geniere said after a few moments of thought. It is impractical since I want to assist more than one pupil. The only reason I sent you and your siblings there is for your safety. If there were no risks in our lives, I would have enrolled you at a different university with more affordable fees that still offer international-level education. I'll give University Royale credit for providing a global standard of education. However, they are not the only ones who can provide that and it is still impractical for other kids."

So far, University Royale has maintained the most secure campus and the highest standard of education. The moment you enter the gate, you are under assessment, and there are high-level guards hidden everywhere to not bother the student's campus experience. This is mostly because the pupils who study here are the children of wealthy or corporate families that face threats in their daily life.

If Geniere wanted to offer his children a superior education, he could have sent them overseas, but it would have been difficult to supervise, which is why he picked the University Royale. He didn't want to look down on his enemies as he believed that the reason he couldn't catch them is because they were more powerful and influential.

"I thought so…" Ridger uttered and nodded his head with a stern look on his face.

Geniere tried to read his son's face and said, "Son," to take his attention.

"Yes, Dad?" Ridger replied and looked at his father.

Geniere sighed and replied, "I know you've been bothered because our family's life has been a roller coaster ride, especially with what happened to your sister, but I wanted you to take it easy. I'm not saying you should ignore your gut feelings and instinct, I just want you to take care of yourself properly. If you don't who would protect your siblings and your mother if I'm away?"

"It's not like you are going to live," Ridger answered.

"You never know so just do as I say, okay, son?" Geniere replied while raising an eyebrow.

"Stop worrying about me and worry about yourself. You stay up so late," Ridger reprimanded him and stood up causing his father to laugh.

"I should go."

"Aren't you gonna tell me who's it you were suspicious of?" Geniere asked and rest his back on his swivel chair.

"I can't. Not until I find something," Ridger responded.

"Very well. Goodnight then, son," Geniere said with a smile.

"Goodnight, Dad."

Ridger turned around and left the office while his father's expression became stern. Geniere heaved a deep sigh and moved forward to his desk to rest his elbow on the desk and clasp his hands.

—

End of Chapter 11