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
"Exactly!" Bill mistook Frank's confusion for guilt and was convinced he saw through Frank, rearing his chin as he gloated, "My father is the chief of Zamri's Uplake Hospital, and it's a subsidiary owned by Gene Pearce, the richest man of the east coast.""What?!" The students turned toward Bill in shock once he mentioned Gene. Scary! His father was actually a subordinate of the richest man of the east coast!It was now obvious that he had the influence to invite all those bigwigs…However, Bill was himself all too aware that Gene owned hundreds of other hospitals, and his father only owned one of a modest scale.It sounded amazing, but his father was no more than Gene's lapdog, to be kicked to the curb with just a word from the man. And for Riverton bigwigs sitting on the stage at the moment, they were all too used to lapdogs barking up the pecking order. The son of a hospital chief? What even gave him the right to even talk to Riverton's senator?Even if Bill's father had
Leaning beside Winter, Frank smiled and asked, "You don't believe me, Winter?"Winter did a double take but soon nodded. "Of course I do. Why wouldn't I believe you?"Frank kept smiling at her and continued, "Well, I'm saying that I'm the one who invited those bigwigs and that brat is lying. Do you believe me?"Before Winter could speak, Bill snorted in disdain. "The Turnbulls must have spent a fortune on you so that you can become a professor here, especially when you're so young. So, word of advice: quit getting yourself into trouble, because we all know how you got the job. If we have to say it out loud, you'd be humiliated. I mean, you obviously have no problem with that, but what about Winter? How bad would it be for a future doctor to have her future ruined by her brother who lives off women?"Winter was at once furious and sprang to her feet, glaring at Bill as she snapped, "What's that supposed to mean?""Nothing!"Bill shrugged, staring her straight in the eyes. "Everyth
"Uh-huh," Frank nodded at the two girls before looking up at the bigwigs onstage with a faint smile. "Heh. Long time no see, everyone." He chuckled.The entire hall froze at his words, with Jean and Winter gaping in shock.What was that supposed to mean? Did Frank know them… or was he just pretending?But pretending to be their acquaintances… Was he not overreaching just to look good?!Nearby, Bill was still sneering, but he was frozen stiff like a statue as a foreboding sensation chewed him in the gut.Could those bigwigs have really come under the manwhore's invitation? That was impossible! What gave him the right?!Naturally, his last hopes that it was not true was soon crushed, as the ever stoic Riverton senator Gerald Simmons smiled and stood up, nodding at Frank. "Long time no see, Mr. Lawrence. You look as sharp as ever!""What?!"Gerald's greeting left everyone in the hall turning toward Frank, staring in disbelief. A senator was actually that respectful to their pr
"That's enough now," Dan Zimmer called out just then, stopping the exchange..At the same time, the chief of Flora Hall shot the ashen-faced Bill a vicious glare. "Let's save the catching up for later. We should continue the ceremony for now."With that, the rowdy hall quieted down, and everyone watched as Frank walked onstage and sat down beside the other bigwigs."Hehe." He chuckled and winked at Winter.On the verge of tears earlier, she was hiding a smile under her palm—her dear brother never lied, and the bigwigs were here at his invitation!She earnestly felt blissful to see the surprise that Frank prepared for her!On the other hand, Bill was murmuring to himself, "H-How is this possible? How…"He was deathly pale even as he collapsed limply on his chair, staring blankly at Frank as he chatted with the other bigwigs around him.Around him, the convocation ceremony remained lively—Winter was especially brimming with confidence as she went on stage to give her speech.Thr
"Hah! So what? He wouldn't compare to Professor Lawrence's hair!""Now, now. That'd be an insult to Professor Lawrence's hair.""What? You have Professor Lawrence's hair? How much? I'm buying!"The barenaked mockery and contempt from fellow students left Bill hanging his head and gritting his teeth so hard that they could break."Fuck…" he cursed under his breath.Winter was right behind him, watching him as he was humiliated from start to finish.Forget wooing Winter—Bill was now a social pariah, his reputation thoroughly smeared.If news of this reached his father in Zamri, he would not just be scolded, but his father would definitely be giving him a major spanking while cutting him off too. After all, it was inevitable that his father's reputation would be ruined too, and anyone would be laughing at his father's face because of him!"Frank Lawrence… Winter Lawrence… Jean Zims… Just you wait! I'll get you back for this—"Smack!Even as Bill kept his head lowered while schem
After Bill stormed out of the convocation hall, the ceremony was as somber as it was silent—one could even hear a pin drop just then."Urgh… Such stubbornness. What a waste of his father's effort." Dan sighed inwardly as he watched.Bill had talent and he had been willing to take him in as a student. In fact, Dan did what he did so as to nurture Bill's mentality so that he truly learned humility and honesty.Naturally, he also intended to show Frank his stance on the matter, and who knew if Frank might even let Bill's transgression slide and give a couple of pointers.The brat, however, did not accept any of it, even storming out right then and leaving Dan disappointed.Dan had come around too. "He left, and so be it. No disappointments there—he clearly has a warped mind despite his talents."What Dan did not know, however, was that Bill's father had given him clear orders to get his Riverton University graduation certificate.After all, there was no reason Bill would want to re
Winter obviously had more to say, but she had no choice but to leave the stage.After her, even as Jean accepted her certificate, she asked under her breath, "Mr. Lawrence, tell me—what do you think of Winter?""Winter?" Frank smiled with aplomb. "She's a little sister whom my mentor entrusted into my care for life.""Ah, I get it now."Jean nodded, bowing at Frank before leaving the stage with her certificate.Frank watched as she left, thinking that she was clearly more mature than her peers.-There was an aftershow after the convocation ceremony, with Noel taking the stage to sing for the crowd.She was certainly a top star, leaving everyone mesmerized with her song even though her speciality was acting.After she left the stage, a surprising face showed up."Hey, Master Lawrence! I passed the entrance exams for Riverton University! Didn't expect that, did you?"Kat Yego had her silver wig on and was dressed fancily as usual, winking at Frank as she performed with her ba