Tricked in a Marriage with the Ruthless CEO

Chapter 2: Tell Me, Why Would I Help You?

Draco shifted uneasily. Something told him this was going to get complicated. He wanted to refuse, but before he could stop himself, the question slipped out.

"Tell me, why would I help you?" he said, his voice cold and devoid of emotion.

Vicky — as her friends called her — blinked several times. She hadn't actually thought about that before coming to find him.

"No... I hadn't thought about it. It would be a charitable act for a scholarship student. I'm first in my class, I study hard, I'm extremely dedicated, and I truly need this help. I only have one year left to graduate. I'll work for you at half salary for a year — please. I can't afford that university without my scholarship. If they take it away, I won't be able to finish my degree," she said, looking at him with sadness. She knew this man despised her family, but having left that city as a young girl, she didn't know anyone more powerful in that place than Draco Lennox.

Draco fixed her with a piercing stare that only made her 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 work part-time at a coffee shop to pay my rent — I can't waste time on things like that," she said in almost a whisper, her cheeks flushing with 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 had pushed herself relentlessly to earn the best scholarships and secure a good future.

The man's eyes gleamed with something inexplicable. She didn't notice — he was still looking down at his papers.

"Fine. I'll speak with the dean. Come back tomorrow at this same time and let me know how things stand. My assistant will save my number in your phone and send me yours. You may go now," he said in a dry, disinterested tone.

Vicky left the office feeling bewildered. She didn't understand any of it, but if he helped her, she'd be grateful beyond words. Even though he hadn't seemed the least bit interested in doing so, at least she had tried.

Once she was gone, Draco called Milan. He had an assignment for him.

"First, get me every piece of information you can find on her. And once you bring me everything, I want you to tell the dean of Leroy University that I'd like a meeting with him. Let's see what's really going on."

At the university, Milenka Hannah was a girl from a wealthy family with plenty of money. She was Vicky's sworn enemy. From the moment she'd spotted her at the university, she had hated her — Vicky's simple clothes and lack of money put her in a foul mood. But what she hated most was that Luis Melis, the most handsome guy on campus, was hopelessly in love with Victoria, who hadn't given him the time of day. She treated him like a friend, nothing more. But in Milenka's eyes, the scholarship girl was a flirt who was just looking for a rich man to elevate her status, playing hard to get to see who would offer the most.

In the dean's office, she and a faculty member were lodging complaints against Victoria Levin.

"Dean, that girl's grades have dropped. She's getting poor marks and doesn't deserve such an important scholarship," the man said, looking smugly at the dean, who could only scratch his head.

"Dean, those of us from good families who pay our tuition are the ones funding those scholarships. That girl is a fraud. There are even rumors she cheats — that she gets the exams in advance through immoral means," Milenka said, her voice dripping with pure hatred.

The middle-aged man sighed. If things kept going this way, he would have to strip the girl of her scholarship. Even though she was an excellent student, she caused him too many headaches.

"Fine. I'll look into it. Tomorrow at the board meeting, we'll revoke Victoria Levin's scholarship," the man said in frustration.

After they left, the dean just shook his head. He had known that girl's grandmother for years. He had even been glad to have Victoria studying there, especially on her own merit. But it seemed powerful people wanted to destroy her — not just because of her intelligence, but because of her beauty.

A few hours later, Milan walked into his boss's office. He had to deliver his report on the young woman Victoria. He found it strange that Draco would take any interest in this matter, especially given that family.

"Sir, here's what I found on Miss Victoria. It's all quite clear," Milan said, watching his boss look up from his papers and take the folder.

Sure enough, Victoria's grades had dropped in one subject. She had requested a review of her exams from the faculty board, but they had denied it. What caught Draco's attention most was the name Milenka Hannah. She was the daughter of nouveau riche parents. Her father had hounded him some time ago with business proposals and an arranged marriage that would have benefited only Mr. Hannah financially. Draco had told him to go to hell.