"Most people don’t see it, but I do." Finley leaned in closer, his smirk stretching wider. "Hugo isn’t recruiting students out of kindness. He’s handpicking the best so he can use them after they graduate. He preaches about morality and unity, but it’s just brainwashing. He’s conditioning you to follow him without question." Finley finished speaking and waited, expecting Arthur to react. Instead, Arthur scoffed. "Heh." The smugness instantly drained from Finley’s face, replaced with anger. Arthur wasn’t shaken. He wasn’t questioning himself. He was laughing? It felt like throwing a punch into a pillow—no impact at all. Arthur didn’t acknowledge his fury. Instead, he tilted his head and said, "If you really think Mr. Hugo is just recruiting students to build his own influence, then why were you so eager to become his student?" The second Arthur finished speaking, Finley’s expression twisted. Arthur had hit a nerve. Finley had never admitted that he wanted to be Hugo’s student. Only Kent and Henry knew. Every time he tried to gain favor or contribute to the school, he had done it under different excuses. So how did Arthur know? Having his true intentions exposed so openly sent a wave of humiliation and fury crashing through him. His blood boiled. Finley had always considered himself the smartest person at Governance University. He was proud, convinced that no one—not a single student—could match his intelligence. Even Sage and Mia, who had already been chosen as Hugo’s students, weren’t exceptions. He never saw them as his equals. Mia? Her success was nothing but the result of Lovaris family’s power. Hugo only took her in because of her family name. With the Lovaris family on his side, Hugo could gain significant political influence. That was the real reason behind her recruitment. And Sage? Sure, he had some talent, but in Finley’s eyes, he was nothing more than a good-looking opportunist who relied on women to climb the ranks. Finley had never respected Sage. As for Taylor and Arthur—they weren’t even worth mentioning. Taylor? Just some lucky guy who happened to be in the right place at the right time. Arthur? The only reason Hugo took an interest in him was because he had built Cloudia Corporation at such a young age. Hugo probably saw him as a future investment—a walking piggy bank. Finley had been born into a family where competition was ruthless. From the moment he took his first breath, the struggle for power had already begun. He naturally believed that people only acted in their own self-interest. Hugo was no different. He might have been powerful once, but now that his influence was fading, he was using his position as a professor to recruit talented students and leverage their family connections. It was a brilliant move. And Finley? He wanted to be Hugo’s student for the same reason—so he could use that connection to strengthen his standing within the Tremo family. But—Finley’s arrogance wouldn’t allow him to admit it. His pride was too big, his ego too fragile. The idea that he had tried to become Hugo’s student but hadn’t succeeded? That was humiliating. If people found out, they would mock him. His face turned pale, then red with rage. After holding it in for as long as he could, he finally snapped, grinding his teeth as he growled, "I never wanted to be Hugo’s student!" Arthur couldn’t help it—he let out a chuckle. "Pfft." Finley, in this moment, looked like a kid who had just been caught red-handed. Seeing Arthur’s amused expression, Finley completely snapped. He no longer cared about keeping his cool and shouted, "Arthur! Do you even know who I am? How dare you act like this toward me?" Arthur’s mockery made him see red. There was nothing more infuriating than that smug look on his face. Finley’s gaze turned ice-cold. "Don’t think I won’t make you pay for this!" With that, he turned and gestured sharply toward his men. "Go! Bring Taylor in!" Arthur’s eyes narrowed slightly, his expression unreadable, but he didn’t say a word. He had no idea what state Taylor was in since they had been locked up separately. But if they were brought together, it would create a chance to escape. That was exactly why Arthur had intentionally provoked Finley. At Finley’s order, one of his men immediately stormed into the other room. Arthur tracked his every move, silently memorizing the direction. The dim lighting made it hard to see clearly, but if they brought Taylor back to that room later, Arthur would know where to find him. Then—The second Taylor was dragged out, Arthur felt a sharp chill run through him. Damn it… They really beat him!