Cindy snapped with righteous indignation right then, "We did it to straighten out Frank! It's his fault for always strutting around us! He should take the loss since he likes to show off so much!""That's enough," Frank said quietly as he took his phone back from Helen, concerned that she would get a stroke. "Gina, I will ask you again—believe me and take the land, and you'll earn more than ten times what it cost you. If you don't do it now, you don't get to make a scene and demand I sell it back to you later."Gina snapped hostilely right then, "What's that supposed to mean? Do I look like some fishwife to you?""Exactly," Helen said, folding her arms before her chest as she was utterly disappointed in her own mother.Gina paused for a moment, clearly furious."Helen Lane!" she snarled, burning bridges right then. "You've really done it now… All I've ever done was for your sake, and I was so worried you'd choose a poor husband… but you never cared for your own mother at all, sidi
"Frank, take me back to my office."Helen was hugging her legs, her expression one of misery and disappointment.Frank began, "Helen, actually—""Don't say it, Frank. I get it," Helen murmured, turning to look outside the window so that he would not have to see her cry. "I regret nothing at all."After being silent for a while, Frank started the car as it drizzled.He drove in silence, feeling unsettled even as he took Helen back to Lanecorp's offices.They got out, and Helen stopped outside the entrance. "I'm giving you two days' leave, Mr. Lawrence. It's been taxing… You should get some proper rest." Frank could hear the crack in her voice and saw that she was forcing herself to smile despite forcing back tears."Yeah." He nodded and started to leave since he knew she needed time by herself. "Oh, and don't mind what my mother said," Helen added. "Even if you were a pig, you'd still be the most amazing, most handsome boar there is.""Pfft…" Frank chuckled, amused. "And you
Many other drivers were gaping in envy.Meanwhile, Frank floored the gas pedal, and his Maybach bellowed as it disappeared from sight.-At Riverton University the next day, Winter was seated below the stage, at once disappointed when she did not hear Frank's name listed among the professors present.It seemed that she was hoping for too much, but it also made sense—what was she, compared to the people Frank mingled with these days? She really could not be more insignificant, and imposing on him over something as trivial as her convocation was simply tactless.Her fingers clenched on her robes at the thought, her eyes stinging as she thought to herself that she should apologize to Frank later."It's alright, Winter." Jean Zims, her best friend, patted her hand to console her. "It's fine if he doesn't come. You have all the time you need… Now, compose yourself—you have to give a speech soon, don't you?""Eh? I'm…" Winter stared at Jean in surprise.Jean, however, could see tha
While Bill modestly attended Riverton University for its strong reputation, Winter had heard rumors that he was mentored by Dan as well.Being an apprentice of the owner of Flora Hall was certainly amazing , and judging from what Bill said, it was no rumor that Bill's mentor was indeed Dan.In short, he had quite a bright future.Still, Bill has been a major headache for Winter, as he had been persistently her as soon as she returned. She did not hate him since he was always nice and polite, and even Jean encouraged her to get together with him.While it was obvious that Jean believed that Bill suited Winter better, Winter could not help comparing him to Frank on every other turn.And there certainly was no competition, which was why Winter could not bring herself to accept Bill's advances. However, even though she persistently used the excuse that they had only recently met, she and Jean knew all too well that she just could not let go of Frank.And since both of them were a
On the stage, Mr. Zims, Jean's uncle and one of the heads of department in Riverton University, smiling as he announced, "This year's convocation ceremony will be a little different. A VIP has invited many important guests to award the certificates. Now, let's give a warm round of applause to Dan Zimmer, chief of Flora Hall!"A smiling Dan stepped out from the back door at Mr. Zims' invitation, waving at the students in greeting."Eh?" Dan's smile left Bill's smile stiffening.In his mind, Dan was always stoic and solemn, persistently prim and proper.So why was he flashing that ridiculous smile?!However, every other student was unaware of that and were applauding Dan so enthusiastically their hands had turned reddened.After all, in Riverton, the man was an authority in medicine! It was a great honor to have him award their certificates, and others might not necessarily believe them even if they broke the news!Moreover, they must have come because of one person.After starin
It was a medical school's convocation, so it made sense that an authority like Dan Zimmer would be invited as a guest.But Senator of Riverton? This convocation ceremony is out of this world!Even as the students stared in bewilderment as a smiling Gerald Simmons stepped out from backstage, waving at them, they clapped as hard as they could when they came to their senses."Did Bill invite him too?" someone murmured just then, leaving everyone in an uproar and turning toward a dumbfounded Bill."What? Oh, yeah… There's nothing to be surprised about, hehe…" Bill quickly raised his hands, gesturing for calm and basically admitting to it. "Whoa…"Many students gasped—it was already unbelievable that Bill could invite Dan, but the senator too?! That was out of this world!What connections did Bill have, really?Even as the students speculated, the ladies' eyes were twinkling as they looked at Bill, surprised that he kept his family's connections hidden so well.If they could mar
"What?!"The students were gaping when they heard that they were more VIPs, and they all turned to Bill again.The man felt his conscience gnawing but forced a smile and clapped while acting like he knew.Even as it drew yet another round of gasps and worshipful stares from the other students, things were far from over."Now, let's invite Robert Quill, the police commissioner of Riverton!""Noel York, Draconia's top actress!""Kim White, head of White Enterprises!""Mr. Turnbull of Grande Pharma…"As Mr. Zims continued to list the bigwigs who came, it seemed that every bigwig of any importance in Riverton was here. They were all individuals representing various industries in Riverton, high-ranking government officials, or key members of important families. Each of them could leave Riverton shaking if they stomped their feet!In short, the convocation ceremony was basically a gathering for the rich and important!"Shit, what the hell?!""Hot damn… I've never seen anything thi
Bill was stumped, but he racked his brains rapidly as everyone watched and decided to keep pretending after half a beat.Otherwise, not only would he be embarrassing himself in front of Winter, but he would also be the joke of every student in this university and a subject of ridicule across all of Riverton.At that point, there was no hope for him to get a job in the Draconia's medical field, even if there were generations of doctors from his family.Hell, it would deal a lethal blow to his father's business, as no one would even care to visit his hospital.Hence, he swiftly changed his look of surprise into anger and promptly snapped at Frank, intent on chasing him out. "Who are you? Who allowed you into this hall?! No outsiders are allowed here!"Winter promptly sided with Frank, "He's my brother, Bill. He's not an outsider."The other students nodded in agreement. "Yeah, Bill. You wouldn't know him since you're always abroad.""He's not an outsider—he's a lecturer in this