After her blunt rebuttal, Grace completely ignored the other girl's mix of shame and anger. Instead, she looked at the other classmates and said, "I was unaware of the telescope matter beforehand. However, since the outcome is ultimately due to me, and it has implicated the department in this way, I am willing to take responsibility."

  "How can you take responsibility? The university won't punish you for something like this."

  "Exactly! What's the use of just saying you'll take responsibility? The department lost a donation worth nearly a thousand dollars. Is that a consequence you can handle just by talking?"

  "I think everyone is being a bit too harsh. Grace has already apologized. Why be so aggressive?"

  "That's right. Donations are voluntary in the first place. Now that the Dylan Group has gone back on their word, we shouldn't entirely blame Grace. What good would expelling her do?"

  A few female classmates were actually willing to speak up for her at this moment. Grace cast a grateful look in their direction.

  As for the other classmates who hurled harsh words at her out of anger, Grace didn't feel particularly upset. She truly could understand their feelings.

  Ultimately, this result was very likely caused by her offending Eric's mother.

  "I said I'll take responsibility, and I will," Grace said firmly and confidently. "'Harper CHV2433' is currently the best astronomical telescope internationally. If the Dylans won't donate, I will! In my personal capacity, I will donate four units to the university's Astronomy Department."

  Her words were astonishing. After she finished speaking, the classroom fell into an eerie silence. Everyone seemed unable to believe what they had just heard.

  "What do you mean? Grace, you said you'll donate to the department?"

  "Four units?"

  "Are you crazy? How can you say something so outrageous? Do you even know how much one of those telescopes costs?"

  "Exactly! One unit costs over three hundred dollars, and she says she'll donate four? I wouldn't even believe it if she said one."

  The girl who had just been fiercely rebutted by Grace let out a cold laugh upon hearing this. "She accused me of being a dreamer? Looks like she's the one who's not awake yet!"

  A girl sitting in the front row turned around, looked at Grace, and shook her head. "Grace, everyone just feels it's a pity. It's normal to be a bit emotional. You don't need to dig such a big hole for yourself."

  Even the teacher, after regaining his composure, didn't take Grace's words seriously. He adjusted his glasses on the bridge of his nose and said to Grace with a concerned tone, "Grace, you mustn't say such things lightly. I'll consider it a joke. Please sit down."

  Grace's expression remained unchanged. She didn't react strongly to her classmates' doubts either, because anyone can make empty boasts. It was normal for no one to believe her before seeing the actual donation.

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

  Therefore, she didn't argue further, only adding finally, "I'll resolve this matter as soon as possible, within a week."

  With that, she picked up her belongings, turned around, and left the classroom through the back door.

  Watching the direction she disappeared, her classmates showed expressions of disdain.

  "Pretty girls really do lack brains sometimes. Does she really think astronomical telescopes are cheap things you can just buy four of casually?"

  "She scored over 700 on the college entrance exam. She can't be stupid."

  "So, do you believe her? If you do, you're the fool."

  "Probably got stupid from dating. Eric's gone stupid too. He hasn't been to class for days, completely disappeared."

  The news spread like wildfire. In less than a day, it had almost circulated throughout the UST campus. Everyone who heard about it treated it as a joke. No one believed Grace truly had the ability to donate something worth over a thousand dollars to the university.

  Upon learning about this, Scarlett rushed back to the dormitory to confirm. Seeing Grace nod, her eyes widened in shock. "Are you crazy? Over a thousand dollars!"

  Even for Scarlett, whose family wealth exceeded ten thousand, over a thousand dollars was a huge sum.

  "Having money doesn't mean you should spend it like this, darling," Scarlett said, pulling over a chair to sit down and looking at Grace seriously. "Even if you want to donate telescopes to the university, couldn't we just donate one?"

  Grace shrugged nonchalantly. "I caused the department to lose four. Donating just one doesn't make sense."

  "Wait, how is this your fault? The Dylan Group decided not to donate themselves. Why should you cover for them?" Scarlett felt it was unfair to Grace.

  But Grace stated the facts: "I have to take responsibility for this. It really is because of me."

  Scarlett was about to say more when Grace quickly patted her hand reassuringly. "Hey, are you more distressed about spending my money than I am? I really don't mind."

  "That's exactly why I'm distressed!" Scarlett pouted. "Over a thousand dollars could buy us a lifetime supply of 'Qi House' sushi."

  This made Grace laugh. "I'll cover your sushi for the rest of your life."

  Scarlett still looked annoyed but took out her phone. "Wait, let me contact my dad. See if he can use his connections to get you a discount."

  "No need, Scarlett. I've already placed the order," Grace said, showing the order confirmation on her phone to Scarlett.

  Four Harper CHV2433 units, unit price $279, total for four: $1,116.

  Seeing the real total price, Scarlett still couldn't accept it for a moment. She wailed on Grace's behalf, "Oh my god, that's so expensive! This is just bullying!"

  Grace could only smile helplessly, feeling a strange sense of satisfaction deep down. The last time she felt this way was when she bought the house and invested in Jones.

  Indeed, given her current assets, this was the kind of spending that gave her a real feeling.

  Besides, donating to her alma mater's department was a good thing, supporting national education. Even without the Dylan Group backing out, she would have been willing to donate.

  That afternoon, Eric, who was recuperating at home, also learned about the matter from a classmate.

  "Mom, was it you who cancelled the telescope donation to our department?"

  Eric immediately stormed down from his room upstairs to the living room in his silk pyjamas to confront his mother.

  His mother was arranging flowers. Hearing this, she glanced at him impatiently and said calmly, "Yes. Is there a problem?"

  "Of course there's a problem!" Eric said discontentedly. "This was a promise Dad made on behalf of the Dylan Group to the university. What do you mean by going back on your word?"

  "Besides, everyone knows Grace and I are... having issues. By doing this, aren't you making Grace the target of public criticism at school? Everyone will blame her!"

  Hearing her son still considering that girl Grace at a time like this, his mother casually threw a flower at him. "Have you no spine? Looks like you're not hurting enough. She's the one who got you into this state, and you're still speaking up for her?"

  "And let me correct you. You and she aren't 'having issues'—you've already broken up. Understand?"

  "I haven't agreed to that yet!" Eric retorted, unwilling to back down. He then steered the topic back. "I don't care. The telescopes promised to the university must be donated by our family. Otherwise, Grace will become a laughingstock at school!"