Chapter 16

Honestly, Sophie hadn't even wanted to come to this party. She didn't enjoy these kinds of gatherings. But she'd shown up anyway—just to see if Kane was as nonchalant as he claimed to be.

In her mind, Kane had to be suffering, barely holding it together. The moment he saw her, he'd surely break down and apologize.

But what she didn't expect was that Kane knew about the party… and didn't bother showing up at all.

"Kane's doing business?" Alexander Quinn shot Hansel Grant a surprised look.

"Yeah."

"What kind of business? Did he open a shop or something?"

Sophie Chase snapped out of her thoughts and chuckled softly. "As if he's that capable. He's just selling lunchboxes over on Central Street. Hannah Warren and I ran into him last time we were out shopping."

"Hah? Selling boxed lunches is considered a business these days?" Alexander Quinn laughed. He didn't say much more, but the disdain was clear on his face.

The other classmates nearby couldn't help but snicker, thinking it was a good thing Kane Brook didn't come to the gathering—otherwise, it'd be downright embarrassing.

Sure, people say no job is beneath another, but even someone like Kong Yiji couldn't let go of his long gown. Naturally, these high schoolers looked down on low-end jobs. In their eyes, as soon-to-be university students, they were society's elite, the future pillars of the nation. Selling lunchboxes? That was just shameful.

Hansel Grant clenched his fists, holding back the urge to curse.

Do you guys even know that my bro Kane dropped 650,000 yuan in one go today?

Do you even have the privilege of being a regular at a foot massage parlor like my bro Kane?

But in the end, he swallowed those words because Kane had told him just a couple of days ago: "Some people laugh at you not because of what you've done, but simply because they want to."

Damn, was Kane hinting at this exact situation?

Was he a freaking prophet?

Well, damn. That's my godfather for you!

But as this thought crossed his mind, Hansel glanced over at Sophie Chase. He'd always thought of her as this unattainable, pure goddess, like the light of a white moon. But now, that image cracked a little. So even goddesses talk trash behind people's backs? Does that still count as divine?

Maybe there was a reason Kane had turned and left without looking back that day.

Hansel wanted to let it go, but the others weren't ready to drop the topic of Kane Brook just yet.

Sophie had another bestie besides Hannah Warren—Sasha Yu. She loved throwing shade with that sarcastic tone of hers. So, the moment Kane's name popped up, she jumped right into the conversation.

"Oh right, Sophie, didn't Kane confess to you on the last day of the college entrance exams?"

Sophie's face darkened at the memory. "Don't even bring that up. It pisses me off just thinking about it. He confessed, got rejected, and then had the audacity to ask for his love letter back, saying he never really liked me in the first place—as if I was just imagining things. What kind of person does that?"

Sasha Yu smirked. "He probably realized he didn't stand a chance, and to save face, he just acted like he never cared. Classic tough talk."

"Yeah, that's exactly what Hannah said."

"Maybe that's why he's not here today, too."

"What do you mean?" A flicker of confusion crossed Sophie's eyes.

"He knew he'd be laughed at, so he didn't dare show up," Sasha said casually, pouring herself some water.

Hearing this, Sophie's tightly furrowed brows suddenly relaxed.

Yeah, why didn't I think of that? Kane Brook wasn't as carefree as he pretended to be. It wasn't that he didn't want to see her—he was just afraid of being ridiculed.

Hmph, serves him right.

After the way he treated her, it's good for him to suffer a little. Let's see who ends up regretting it in the future.

Sophie's tsundere side kicked in, and she clenched her little pearly teeth tightly together.

Just then, the door to the private room swung open again. Rachel Warren rushed in, apologizing just like Hansel Grant had earlier.

"Sorry I'm late, something came up on the way. What were you guys talking about?"

"Oh, we were just talking about Kane Brook. He's too embarrassed to show up. Isn't that hilarious?"

At those words, Rachel's face stiffened for a brief second, even pausing mid-sit.

The reason she was late… was because she'd run into Kane Brook outside.

And it wasn't just Kane Brook she had run into…

Hannah Warren was someone who valued punctuality. Otherwise, she wouldn't have managed to serve as the math class representative for three consecutive years. So, she arrived at the Dragon Prestige Hotel early—earlier, in fact, than Alexander Quinn, the very person who had organized the gathering.

But she didn't go straight into the hotel. Instead, she wandered around the nearby streets.

That was when she saw Kane Brook.

At that moment, Kane was standing in front of a snack shop, one hand holding a black backpack while the other played with a tabby cat sprawled lazily atop the ice cream freezer.

Hannah assumed he was there for the reunion, so she approached him and greeted him, asking when he had arrived.

To her surprise, as their conversation went on, Kane told her that he had no plans to attend the gathering.

Hannah was the kind of well-behaved student whom teachers appreciated—principled, responsible, and sincere. She believed that since everyone in the class would soon be going their separate ways, there wouldn't be many chances left to meet. So, she tried to persuade him.

"You're already here, might as well come grab a meal."

"Forget it. You guys go ahead. I'm not really into crowds," Kane said as he gently teased the tabby cat's tiny paw with his finger.

Hannah suddenly recalled something from a few days ago. "Are you embarrassed because of your failed confession? Worried that people might laugh at you? Don't be. Our class has always been friendly, and besides, you're quite popular."

"We've already graduated. Soon, everyone will be living their own lives. If they laugh, so what? It's not like I'm the only one who's ever had a confession rejected. I don't really care. But that's not the reason I'm not going."

"Then why?"

Hannah was persistent, pressing for an answer.

Before Kane could respond, a voice suddenly called out from inside the snack shop.

"Kane, I want to try these colorful jelly pearls."

Crystal beads?

Hearing that, Kane was momentarily stunned. An image popped into his mind—

What the hell, crystal beads? Those are just expanded soybeans, aren't they?

"Hell no, you can't eat that! Young lady, not everything in a snack shop is actually edible!"

He practically charged into the store, barking as he went.

Hannah, hearing that the voice belonged to a girl, followed him inside, curious.

And that was when she saw her.

A girl in a floral dress, her long hair cascading down to her waist, her figure slender and graceful, curves delicate yet striking. She stood there like a radiant gem—brighter, even, than a pearl.

And Hannah knew exactly who she was.

Nancy Foster.

The girl who had topped the entire school for three consecutive years, the silent and elegant heiress, a beauty so dazzling it could outshine the sun.