Bitcoin Billionaire: I Regressed to Invest in the First Bitcoin!-Chapter 32: Student Loan

Darren gave the office a better look, perhaps he was sketching in his mind how his would be like one day.

It certainly would be bigger and fancier than this. Not that it wasn't a fine office on its own.

The bursar's office was the kind of place that smelled like paper, ink, and bureaucracy. The walls had old wooden shelves filled with stacks of neatly arranged files, and a large mahogany desk sat at the center, piled with more paperwork.

A ceiling fan hummed softly overhead, doing little to combat the stuffy warmth of the room. The air carried a faint trace of vanilla and lavender, likely from the scented candle burning in the corner — a feeble attempt at making the space more inviting.

Behind the desk, the plump woman in her late fifties gave him a big smile. Her auburn curls were very well done for her age, framing a round, pleasant face.

She wore a floral-patterned blouse, a pair of small gold-rimmed glasses, and a warm smile that had undoubtedly calmed many nervous students over the years.

"Well. I would say this," she said, adjusting her glasses as Darren stepped inside. "You are young but you certainly don't look like one of my usual visitors."

Darren's lips curved into a smooth, easy smile. "Thank you for the compliment, Miss."

"Oh, it's Mrs. I'm Mrs Rita Edward. I'm married."

"Your husband is a lucky man," Darren said

The woman let out a hearty chuckle. "Oh, I like you already. Come, have a seat, young man."

He took the chair across from her, settling in comfortably.

"Now then," she said, picking up a pen. "What's your name?"

"Darren Steele."

Her brow lifted slightly. "Steele, huh?" She adjusted her glasses again and flipped through the thick financial aid logs, her fingers skimming across the names until she found what she was looking for.

"Ah, here you are." Her eyes flicked over the details before she glanced back up at him. "Looks like you still owe nine thousand dollars."

Darren nodded, already reaching into his pocket.

The woman, however, seemed a little amused. "Now, before we get to payment, I should ask; are you sure you want to do this all at once? Most folks take their time, stretch it out over the years."

Darren smiled. "I prefer to get things done quickly."

'And also the system is being on my ass about having debts.'

She chuckled. "A rare breed, aren't you?"

He placed a thick envelope on the desk. "Nine thousand, in cash."

Her eyes widened slightly before she let out a short, approving whistle. "Well, well... can't say I see this every day."

She took the envelope and counted the bills expertly, fingers flipping through the crisp hundred-dollar notes. Once satisfied, she began typing into the ancient-looking computer at her desk.

"Alright," she said, adjusting her glasses. "Since you're paying in full, there's no need for any further processing. I'll just input this directly into the system, and you'll be debt-free."

She clicked through a few more screens before looking up at him with a smile.

"And done. Just like that, Mr. Steele, you're officially free from student loans."

Darren leaned back slightly, a slow smile forming. "Feels good."

The woman laughed. "I bet it does!" She shook her head, still amused. "Young men like you usually have different priorities. Either you're throwing your money at cars, watches, or—" she gave him a knowing look "—pretty girls."

Darren chuckled. "I like to think I have my priorities straight."

The woman giggled like a schoolgirl, clearly taken by his charm. "Oh, you definitely do. Lord knows the number of young fools I see coming in here, begging for extensions."

"Poor fellows they are. I'm not saying they should be like me, but I just hate having things hanging over my head," he said smoothly. "And I also hate stressing lovely women like you."

She gave him an approving nod and smiled childishly at his words. "Oh stop it you cunning man. Now, let me just get your receipt printed, and we're all set."

As she turned back to the computer, Darren's mind quietly processed everything.

He remembered what the system had said about the fragile state of Brookfield College's ownership.

It was a fact. But no matter how much information the system could drag out of real life companies, nothing beats gossip. And women like this who were alone in offices doing nothing? They were the best at gossip.

Leaning forward slightly, he rested an elbow on the desk and spoke in an offhanded, casual tone.

"You know, I heard whispers about the college's ownership situation."

The woman froze for a fraction of a second.

Darren caught it.

"Whispers?" she repeated, her voice suddenly more measured.

He nodded. "Not sure how true they are, of course. But surely, an attentive woman must have heard something."

There was a pause.

Then, the woman sat back, folding her arms. "Mr. Steele," she said in a firm tone, "I am not one to spread rumors."

Darren sat back, raising his hands in retreat. "Of course not."

Another pause.

Then, she grinned, causing Darren to grin as well.

She lowered her voice, leaning forward slightly. "It is a mess up there, I tell you."

She continued, excited to be telling this to someone. "You didn't hear this from me, but the president, Michael Terrence, is losing control. The board's been circling him like vultures, and there's some serious tension behind closed doors."

Darren kept his expression neutral. "Any idea who's making moves?"

The woman gave him a pointed look. "Elliot Payne."

Darren's eyes flickered with recognition.

"Payne," he repeated.

She nodded. "A very persistent man. He owns the biggest education empire in the country. He wants to add Brookford to his web of schools. And from what I've overheard, he's pushing hard to take over. It's just a matter of time before something gives."

Darren tapped his fingers lightly on the desk, processing the information.

"Interesting," he murmured.

Mrs Edwards chuckled. "You're quite the curious one, aren't you?"

He flashed a grin. "I'm intrigued about things like this. But don't worry, I'm not a reporter or anything."

She laughed, shaking her head. "It's bound to leak the press soon anyway. I won't say anything else, but let's just say; things are about to get even messier up there in management."

"Hope the college makes it," Darren said.

"Oh I do too."

She slid the printed receipt across the desk. "Here you go. Official proof that you're no longer in debt."

Darren took the paper, tucking it neatly into his pocket.

Then, without a word, he pulled out a crisp thousand-dollar bill and placed it on the desk.

The woman's eyes widened.

"What's this?"

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"A thank-you," he said smoothly. "Get yourself a nice purse."

For a moment, she just stared at him. Then—

Her face broke into the biggest smile yet.

"Well, aren't you just the sweetest thing," she said, practically beaming.

Darren stood, buttoning his jacket. "Pleasure doing business with you, Mrs Edwards"

The woman chuckled, tucking the bill away with a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Pleasure was all mine."

As he stepped out of the office, the system chimed in his head.

┏Student Loan Cleared Successfully┛

┏No Debt, No Stress Monthly Quest is almost completed.┛