Chapter 48
How was he planning to punish her? Besides the annual $50 million in research funding, the Windsor Group had also paid to completely renovate and refurbish Empire University's run-down graduate student apartments.
Before the renovation, the rooms were cramped, the walls were covered in cracks, and what little sunlight there was got blocked by the thick ivy covering the walls.
After the renovation, they were spacious and bright, like newly opened studio apartments in Empire City.
Since the residents were all graduate students with promising futures, the school renamed the first-year graduate apartments Star Apartments.
They called it Empire University's graduate housing, but in reality, only the land belonged to Empire University—everything else was from the Windsor Group.
Not to mention all the generous research funding they'd provided over the years.
"No problem, no problem..."
For such a small matter, Tony could make the decision himself. He immediately responded, "Forget one apartment—ten wouldn't be a problem. Mr. Xiang, for things like this, just give us a call next time. No need to come in person."
Otherwise, it makes us really nervous!
When Tony got a late-night call saying Mike from the Windsor Group was at Empire University, his first thought was that the Windsor Group was canceling next year's research funding.
Forget being sleepy—he was scared out of his mind.
He rushed from home to the school as fast as he could.
But he never expected it was just about getting someone a spot in the studio apartments.
"In that case, we won't keep you all any longer! We'll come by tomorrow to handle the paperwork."
Mike nodded. Before getting in the car, he paused, turned back to look at the director of Student Affairs, and said, "If Empire University has any difficulties, whether in research or in students' work and living conditions, feel free to let us know. As for those old, poorly maintained rooms with ghost stories and where students have jumped from the roof—maybe don't assign those to female students anymore. Don't you think?"
Instinctively looking up at the dark room in the corner of the top floor, the Student Affairs director nodded repeatedly in agreement.
Before anyone could figure out what had just happened, the Maybach had already disappeared from view.
Turning back to look at Susan, whose face had turned ashen, how could they not understand?
"After the incident last Friday, did anyone notify you that Room 619 hasn't been assigned to students for the past two years?"
"Yes... yes."
With just that one question, Susan knew that the cushy, easy job she'd pulled strings and paid money to get—one that could have carried her comfortably to retirement—was probably gone.
She reached out to grab the Logistics Director's arm, but before she could even touch her sleeve, the director shook her off hard.
A cold wind blew by, Susan's feet slipped, and she collapsed to the ground.
Downstairs there was commotion, but upstairs the girls in the dorm slept soundly, completely unaware.
Rebecca was equally unaware.
She'd already packed her books for class yesterday before leaving the dorm. This morning, after getting breakfast from the hospital cafeteria and eating with Alexa, she took the subway to school.
With no afternoon classes, Rebecca decisively chose hanging out with friends over returning to Pinewood Mansion to start her weekend.
She called Isabella to set a time and headed straight to the dorm without even eating lunch.
When she pushed open the door and saw Room 619 completely empty, Rebecca was totally confused.
Then she remembered last night when Frederick asked where she was, she'd lied and said she was doing homework in the library, and he hadn't said anything after that.
It dawned on Rebecca—her cover was blown.
So the question was: how was he planning to punish her?
And also, where were her things?
After standing dazed in the doorway for quite a while, Rebecca hesitantly, uncertainly, dialed Frederick's number.