Chapter 99: Chapter 99

"Huh? Isn’t Senior Brother Gordon’s family super rich?" someone immediately asked beside them.

Jessica Sawyer looked at them disdainfully, "Look at you, so inexperienced! That’s a high-end car among the Red Flags, a limited-edition custom model. It’s not just about having money; your ancestors must have been completely clean and made outstanding contributions to the country to even qualify for customization."

"Wow..." everyone was dumbfounded.

Jessica looked at me, "Does your husband have such capabilities?"

I smiled and casually said, "I never said that was my husband. Couldn’t it be a friend?"

Someone else exclaimed and then curiously asked, "Lily Miller, I heard someone spent three billion to buy the bracelet for you. Could it be the friend who drives the luxury Red Flag car?"

I smiled and responded with a question, "You guess?"

Jessica was astonished again, "Three billion for a bracelet? Swindling amateurs, huh? Rich people aren’t that foolish."

An old classmate beside us said, "It’s true. It was at the charity auction held by Brightmoor Auction House in Winstel. I heard it was a big, very mysterious character."

"Tsk, the more you talk, the more exaggerative it gets. Lily Miller is a married woman; who in their right mind would still throw money at her? And throw three billion on top of that, for what?" Jessica didn’t believe it at all, mocking and looking at me disdainfully, "Unless... you’re two-timing."

The wise don’t argue.

I nodded and agreed, "I indeed am quite good at two-timing, especially with splits."

Before I could finish, my phone rang; it was a call from Wennie Lane.

I picked up the call and left with Grace Chandler, arm in arm.

Wennie called to ask how I got to school, and when she heard I didn’t drive, she said we could go back together tonight, as her family’s driver would pick us up.

Remembering Daniel Carter’s words, I found an excuse to decline, "No need, my roommate’s back too. We’ll probably have fun tonight, not sure what time we’ll go back."

"Is it Grace Chandler? Then I’ll see if I’m free later and come find you all for some fun."

If anyone knew that among my roommates, I was closest to Grace Chandler, it was during college we often ate together and knew each other quite well.

After hanging up, I told Grace Chandler, "Wennie said she might come by to see you."

"Sure, I’d love to see her too." Grace nodded with a smile, then glanced back at Jessica and her group following us, mumbling, "I bet they’re still gossiping about you. You can really bear it now; Jessica is practically stepping all over you, and you don’t fight back."

I gave a faint smile, "Why hurry? Isn’t she returning to take up her post? I asked around; she’s the president of Elesiel’s East Asia region, also in the fashion industry. We’ll have plenty of chances for confrontation, so why spoil such a wonderful day today with bad feelings."

Grace was surprised, "You acted really fast! You even found that out."

"She said it yesterday, that we’d have many opportunities to meet in the future—I suspected she was in the same industry last night, asked around in the circle, and indeed found out."

Last night, I only asked Calvin Yance with a try-it-out mindset because he also returned from Westvale to develop here.

The overseas Chinese circle is not that big; not that small either. If you’re in the same industry, asking around can always connect you to someone familiar.

Grace gave me a thumbs-up, admiringly said, "Impressive! I was just thinking she used money to humiliate you, didn’t even notice what she said."

We chatted as we walked and first reported to the academy, following the itinerary notice from the alumni group, to participate in the internal celebration activities of the academy in the morning.

Lunch was a buffet at various school cafeterias.

Grace and I dined at the fifth cafeteria, our favorite during our student days, and halfway through, Wennie ran over, excitedly saying, "Lily, guess who I saw!"

I asked calmly, "Who?"

"Turn around and see!" She excitedly tapped me.

I turned around and unexpectedly saw Daniel Carter in a glance!

He was following a group of school leaders, earning full attention from the moment he walked into the cafeteria.

The students respectfully greeted the school leaders, who naturally raised their hands in greeting too.

In that gap, Daniel caught sight of me, a smile clearly tugging at the corners of his lips, intending to walk over to me.

I panicked, quickly waving my hand to signal him not to come over.

He understood, the smile at the corner of his mouth turned a bit helpless. Just then, a vice-principal spoke to him, gesturing for him to move to the second floor. He looked at me again and turned towards the staircase.

I finally breathed a sigh of relief.

The fifth cafeteria is one of Elmore University’s higher consumption cafeterias, with private rooms on the second floor for entertaining guests.

Daniel clearly was a heavyweight alumnus being hosted by the school leaders.

People like me, better remain an invisible presence.

Grace looked puzzled, asking me, "What’s with you? Who are you exchanging glances with?"

I retracted my gaze and sat up straight, "It’s nothing, just someone familiar."

Wennie, seeing I wasn’t elaborating, didn’t say more and simply started chatting with Grace.

I lowered my head and continued eating.

My phone buzzed; it was a message on WeChat.

I took a look; it was from Daniel Carter.

[Why avoid me? Are you so afraid of your classmates seeing me?]

As I read the message, my cheeks grew hot.

He knew why and still asked!

Fearing he’d call if I ignored him, I thought for a while and replied: [Not afraid of my classmates seeing you, afraid they’ll notice us and the school leaders will drag me along to accompany them.]

[So what if you accompany them? It’s just a meal.]

[No, I came back wanting to roam freely, chat with old classmates, not deal with school leaders—it’s too stressful.]

I sent a trembling emoji.

Daniel replied with a hug emoji.

[I also want to walk freely, but alas... too many commitments.]

After sending this, he childishly sent a crouching-in-the-corner-sighing emoji.

I couldn’t help but imagine him as the little cartoon character and let out a snicker.

[Well, Senior Brother Carter has a tough job, you accompany the school leaders well while I do an extra lap or two for you.]

Grace nudged me with her elbow, asking, "What’s got into you? Smiling so mischievously, who are you talking to?"

"Nothing much, just the acquaintance from earlier, invited me for a meal, but I declined." I put down my phone and brushed it off casually.

However, Wennie knew me too well, giving me an ambiguous glance and a smile full of deeper meaning.

At 2:30 p.m., the grand centennial celebration took place in the school’s newly completed stadium.

All of us "sons and daughters" returning from afar attended as a unit by academies.

The stage was grandly decorated, with the school leaders giving speeches one after another, followed by speeches from alumni representatives.

As soon as it was announced that the outstanding alumnus representative was Daniel Carter, I wasn’t surprised at all.

He rose from the VIP seats, walked steadily to the podium amid enthusiastic applause, and slightly nodded as a sign of respect.

I didn’t hear a word of his speech; my mind was occupied with his glow as if he was bathed in light.

Though we hadn’t defined our relationship, in that moment, I felt incredibly proud and honored—that such an outstanding, perfect, noble, and elegant man, a man of great contribution, would be so deeply affectionate towards me.

Any woman who receives such favor would be overjoyed.

The phone beeped, snapping me out of my infatuated daze.

A message from Wennie Lane: [Are you sure you don’t want this flawless man?]

I held my phone, my fingers trembling slightly, with no outlet for the passionate emotions surging in my heart. In the end, I couldn’t help but reply: [The high-end custom suit he’s wearing was made by me.]

After sending this, Wennie Lane instantly replied with several shocked and screaming emojis as if she went crazy.

[You still say there’s nothing between you two! This is what you call nothing! This is so flirting!]

I held my phone and looked at the person on stage again, unable to suppress a smile, even Grace Chandler next to me noticed something, leaning in to whisper: "Why are you grinning like an idiot? Is this outstanding alumnus your joy trigger?"

I shook my head, suppressing my smile to look serious.

Grace Chandler frowned, continuing to stare at me before tentatively asking, "Do you know this Alumnus Carter?"

"Hush, don’t talk." I diverted the conversation.

She widened her eyes, suddenly realizing: "Isn’t he the owner of that luxury car? The one who spent three hundred million on you?"

Her voice suddenly got louder, attracting the surrounding people to turn and look.

Grace Chandler hurriedly lowered her body in fright, continuing to question me with her eyes.

Before I could say anything, I suddenly heard a comment from behind.

"It’s ridiculous, do you know who he is? Dare to daydream, don’t you know your own status, not even fit to tie his shoes."

I didn’t turn to look but knew it was Jessica Sawyer starting to slander again.

She was sitting at an angle behind me.

I turned to look at her, with an eerie smile: "Looks like you know him."

"Of course!" Jessica Sawyer proudly lifted her chin like a peacock princess, "He is the heir of the Carter Family in Brindlewood, the epitome of top-status nobles. My grandma will take me to visit the Carter Family next week."

My heart skipped a beat in surprise.

The Sawyer Family ancestors actually have connections with the Carter Family?

And with such a visit with the younger generation, both parties at a marriageable age—the most obvious purpose is matchmaking.

So, Jessica Sawyer is going to have a matchmaking with Daniel Carter?

My heart shook again, looking at the person on stage, my mood became quite delicate.

Could it be that after I rejected him, he started shifting his targets?

Or is it that these matters were arranged by the elders, and he is unaware? After all, I offended Mrs. Carter last time at Carter Manor, and it’s normal for them not to like me.

Suddenly, thunderous applause rang in my ears, snapping me out of my chaotic thoughts.

Daniel Carter had finished his speech and was about to leave the stage, but the school leadership hosting the ceremony asked him to stay.

Because the next part of the event was to award honorary certificates to outstanding alumni who had made significant contributions to the school.

The school leaders announced several outstanding alumni, highly praising their noble deeds in contributing to their alma mater.

I only just found out that from graduation till now, Daniel Carter had d, set up scholarships, sponsored the library and health office, contributing a total of fifteen billion! Thɪs chapter is updatᴇd by n0velfire.net

The mention of this number shocked everyone present.

Grace Chandler also marveled: "Wow... that’s amazing! I’ll never earn that much in a thousand lifetimes!"

I was equally astonished, gaining a new understanding of the financial power of top tycoons.

The principal personally awarded the honorary certificate to Daniel Carter, and they both stood in the center of the stage to have their picture taken.

The applause from the audience was relentless, washing over the soul of countless alumni with a profound sense of honor.

There were more outstanding alumni to come on stage, and although I wasn’t interested, one name caught my attention.

The second batch of outstanding alumni even included Adrian Gordon!

And his outstanding contribution was a donation of one billion during the centennial celebration of the alma mater.

Actually, that’s an enormous amount too, but with Daniel Carter having set such a high benchmark, this number felt less impressive.

But in my heart, there was still a slight ripple.

Previously, when I was forced to the edge trying to redeem my Bracelet, I had sought his help, but he said he couldn’t spare too much cash.

Yet in the auction later, to please Sophie Miller, he spent over a billion.

And now, for the alma mater’s centennial, he’s made a generous donation of a billion again.

So he did have the money, just not the willingness to spend it on me. Even if it’s just a loan, he refused.

My heart was full of bitter laughter, watching him walk on stage with a cocky stance, filled only with contempt.

What surprised me was that as a special guest, Daniel Carter was unexpectedly there with the school leaders, presenting honors to the second batch of outstanding alumni.

I didn’t know if it was intentional on Daniel Carter’s part, or just a coincidence—but he was precisely the one presenting the honor to Adrian Gordon!

Sitting down there, watching this scene, my anger and resentment suddenly calmed!

Though the distance was great, I could still see clearly from the giant screen that Adrian Gordon’s previously majestic demeanor collapsed at the moment of memorial photo, looking dark as Yama.

The phone rang again, it was still Wennie Lane.

She was gloating: [Did Mr. Carter arrange this on purpose? Is he avenging you? Adrian Gordon’s donation is less than his, and he had to be presented with the honor by him, clearly a lower status! Hahaha, imagine the psychological trauma Adrian Gordon has now!]

After reading the message, although I knew it’s unethical to mock, especially since my own donation, a mere hundred thousand, wasn’t even enough to make the list, I still couldn’t resist a rush of joy.

At this moment, I suddenly felt at ease with Jessica Sawyer’s words.

All that matchmaking stuff, it definitely wasn’t Daniel Carter’s voluntary decision.

After the school leaders’ speeches concluded, there were many song and dance performances.

Each department had one or two programs, and the alumni also self-organized performances as gifts. The lively and grand celebration continued until the start of the banquet.

After we left the venue, we re-entered about half an hour later.

By then, the seats in the stadium had been removed, replaced by large round tables.

Following the guidance of school volunteers, we found our seats, still arranged by department.

The school leaders kept their speeches brief this time, and the banquet began, with all kinds of songs and dance performances continuing on the stage.

Grace Chandler and I sat at the same table, both enthusiastically watching the performances on stage, especially since one of my works was featured in the fashion show.

Suddenly, someone patted me heavily on the shoulder, "Lily Miller, look who I brought for you!"

I turned around and immediately saw Jessica Sawyer.

The next second, I saw Adrian Gordon standing beside her.

My face changed instantly, and all I could feel was the urge to kick Jessica Sawyer out of the solar system.

"Senior Brother Gordon, come, sit here!" Jessica Sawyer, acting all too familiar, pushed a classmate away and pulled Adrian Gordon to sit down.