Bitcoin Billionaire: I Regressed to Invest in the First Bitcoin!-Chapter 31: Death Wish Darren

Alison Parker could only stare.

She had recognized his face, sure, but that was only after he had said his name.

Now, standing before him, she couldn't believe her own eyes.

Darren Steele? This was Darren Steele?

The Darren she remembered from college had been lean, a little rough around the edges, had no idea how to comb his hair, had a perpetual lazy expression and an attitude that made him seem both indifferent and unfriendly.

He had been the type to cut class without a second thought, yet somehow still ace his exams. The type of guy who could charm his way through anything except women.

He'd also bring very, naturally witty and half because he genuinely didn't seem to care about consequences.

Death Wish Darren they had once called him.

But now?

The man standing in front of her was different. Entirely different.

His posture was straight, refined.

He carried himself with a calm confidence that was neither arrogant nor aggressive, just... self-assured. His crisp, ironed shirt and tailored trousers fit him perfectly, emphasizing his broad shoulders and the lean muscle underneath.

The Seamaster watch in his eyes threatened to blind her with the bright daylight. Was that a quiet sign of wealth?

Updat𝒆d fr𝑜m freewebnøvel.com.

It was not the flashy kind, but it did speak of taste. Even his shoes, polished and pristine, suggested a man who paid attention to detail.

Most striking, though, was his demeanor.

His eyes had always been blue, but now they seemed brighter and stronger, holding an intensity she didn't remember.

They weren't reckless anymore. They were controlled, composed. There was no slouch in his stance, no trace of the old Darren who used to breeze through college like he had all the time in the world.

This was someone else.

"You're kidding," Alison finally said, shaking her head in disbelief. "Darren Steele? No way."

Darren, standing there with his hands in his pockets, merely arched a brow. "I don't know why I would be kidding. It's me."

She let out a breath, still trying to wrap her head around it.

"What happened to you?" she blurted, still staring.

Darren coldly raised a brow. "Are you suggesting that I'm somehow... deformed?"

She looked at his eyes and shook her head. "What no. I'm saying..."

She crossed her arms, studying him. "I'm saying you look different. I mean, you're almost a completely different person."

"Except I'm still Darren Steele," he stated in a detached manner.

After another second of stunned silence, Darren glanced around the campus before returning his gaze to her. "And you, what about you? What are you doing here?"

"Oh." She blinked, shaking herself out of her daze. "I teach here now. In the Art department. I'm a lecturer."

Darren nodded. "A lecturer, huh? That suits you."

Disagreeing internally, Alison tilted her head. "And you? What brings you back here?"

"Paying off my student loans."

Alison nearly choked. "You're what?"

Darren didn't react, he just watched as she blinked at him in pure shock.

"You're paying off your student loans?" She narrowed her eyes.

"You say that like I just told you that I'm going to mars."

"Darren, no one pays off their student loans. Not even the ones who can afford to."

"Guess I'm the exception."

"But why?" She threw up one hand on her waist. "Even the rich kids just ignore it. That's what the system is designed for. You're supposed to pretend it doesn't exist until it disappears into some financial abyss!"

Darren shrugged. "I don't like debts hanging over my head."

Alison studied him for a long moment, clearly baffled. "You really changed."

Darren didn't answer.

"Seriously," she went on, frowning in thought, pointing to his face as she slanted forward.

"You were always reckless back in college. No offense, but you weren't exactly the kind of guy anyone expected to be responsible about... well, anything. But now you're paying off loans? Walking around like — like some kind of mega-businessman?"

Darren stayed straight. "I don't know what you're expecting from me here, Alison."

She wrinkled her face, overwhelmed. "I'm just shocked, Darren. That's it."

There was a beat of silence before she then stood straight. Then her lips curved into a knowing smile. "You know, back in college, no one would've ever thought you'd end up with Lily. Even I was surprised."

Darren's expression didn't change, but his eyes did shift uneasily.

Alison, watching him closely, continued. "I still remember the day people found out you two were dating. Half the girls on campus lost their minds."

Darren exhaled through his nose, his voice even. "It was worse with the guys."

"Yeah?" she said, raising one brow. "I mean, you were... well, you. And Lily? She was Miss Perfect. The golden girl. Pretty, smart, charming. Daughter of a multimillionaire. No one thought you two would ever happen."

"Are you complimenting me or degrading me? Which one is it really?"

Alison arched a brow. "How are you two, anyway?"

Darren didn't answer immediately.

Something about the way she asked it made him pause. He looked at her for a moment before replying, his voice quiet, controlled.

"We're not together anymore."

Alison stilled. Then, to his mild surprise, she giggled.

"Oh! I should've known," she said, shaking her head with amusement. "She broke up with you, didn't she?"

Darren's gaze remained steady.

"No." His voice was calm. "I broke up with her."

Alison's smile faded.

"Huh?" She stared at him, her eyes widening slightly.

Darren didn't elaborate.

Instead, he glanced toward the Finance Department. "I have to go now," he said. "If I'm not mistaken, the bursar's office is still at the end of the Finance Department, yeah?"

Alison hesitated, still thrown by his words. Then she nodded. "Yeah... same place."

"Hopefully, I can still find my way there."

With that, Darren slipped his hands into his pockets and began walking away.

Alison watched him go, still processing everything.

She watched as he passed a small group of female students, giggling as they passed him.

"Hey, sir," one of them called, voice teasing.

Darren didn't respond.

'What actually happened to this guy?' Alison thought, watching him disappear past the Finance Department building.

Once Darren entered the small building designated for accounting and payment, he delighted at the cool atmosphere inside after being blasted by the day's sun.

Climbing up a short flight of stairs, people moved aside instinctively, stepping out of his way without him even asking. Some glanced at him curiously, as if sensing something unfamiliar about his presence.

He arrived at the bursar's office and knocked.

"Come in," a voice called.

Darren pushed the door open and stepped inside.

The office was tidy but packed, filled with neatly stacked paperwork, file cabinets, and a few decorative plants to liven up the space.

Sitting at the large wooden desk was a plump woman in her late fifties, her round face warm and welcoming. She had short, curly auburn hair, small gold-rimmed glasses, and a pleasant smile that made her look like everyone's favorite aunt.

"Ah," she said brightly, adjusting her glasses as she looked him up and down. "You must be a new student here to discuss tuition plans?"

Darren let out a small, quiet breath, amused.

"No," he said smoothly. "I'm here to pay off my student loans."

The woman blinked.

Then, her face lit up with sheer delight.

"Oh, well!" she said, laughing. "A responsible young man, huh? We don't see many of those these days."

Darren smiled faintly. "So I've been told."