They knew their son was in the wrong. He had caused this entire mess. How could they possibly have the audacity to blame the school?
What about his future?
How was he supposed to look anyone in the eye ever again?
"Dad?" Hudson was stunned. He hadn't realized this agent had already been rejected by his parents.
"I said no, Hudson. If you sign that paper, I will disown you."
Seeing the dollar signs in his son's eyes, Mr. Carter dropped the ultimate ultimatum.
Hudson flinched. "...Isn't that a little extreme?"
He couldn't fathom why his dad was reacting with such nuclear force. It wasn't that deep.
He hadn't even agreed yet!
He was just testing the waters.
The Viral Scout glared at Mr. Carter, deeply offended. "What is wrong with you? Why are you sabotaging your own son's future?"
"Are you sure you're even his real father?"
"Because a real father would want his kid to be rich."
That was hitting below the belt.
"Excuse me?" Hudson snapped before his dad could even open his mouth. "Are you blind?"
"Look at our faces. You couldn't find a kid who looks more like his dad if you cloned him!"
It was true. They were practically identical.
You rarely saw a son who favored his father so heavily.
"I misspoke," the scout backpedaled smoothly. "I just don't understand why a parent would stop their child from securing the bag."
"Get out. We don't take dirty money in this family!"
The Carters physically shoved the agent out the door. Once he was gone, they
turned their full disappointment onto their son, leaving Hudson staring at his lap in deep shame.
After he apologized, his parents
softened. They explained that the
university and Camp Blackwood had
pulled strings to get the best
assembling an
surgeons in the city, asser
elite medical team just for him.
Hudson knew he was to blame. He had thought he was being clever, trying to game the system by stashing food in a tree.
He didn't blame anyone else. He had played stupid games and won a stupid prize.
"I don't know what the university is going to do," Hudson whispered, terrified.
He was horrified that the story would follow him back to campus, turning him into a punchline for the next four years.
The thought of the dean using his missing testicle as a cautionary tale at freshman orientation made him want to die.
It was a nightmare.
"The school will likely issue a disciplinary mark, but they've agreed to cover your medical and recovery expenses."
His academic advisor, who had just stepped into the room, delivered the news.
"Hudson, I need you to understand that you have no grounds to be angry at Camp Blackwood. You violated strict military protocols."
"Chief Instructor Hawk went out of his way to save you. He used his personal connections to secure top-tier doctors, purely to minimize your long-term damage."
"Given the severity of the trauma, the initial prognosis was complete loss of function. You were looking at a very difficult road ahead."
"But thanks to the team he brought in, they managed to save one side... If your rehab goes well your function will be impacted, but you'll still be able to live a normal life."
Listening to his advisor's delicate phrasing, Hudson finally grasped the magnitude of what had happened Chief Instructor Hawk had moved mountains to preserve what was left of his manhood. It was a debt he could never repay.
"There's a lot of toxic noise online right now. Do not let yourself get dragged into it."
The advisor's warning was clear.
Having spoken to the sleazy agent, Hudson knew exactly what he meant. The internet trolls were trying to weaponize him against the school.
He nodded grimly. "I understand, sir. I won't let them use me. I'm an adult, and I know I messed up."