Chapter 4: Class Reunion
「Meanwhile, at The Seraphic Villa.」
Adrian Grant had just wrapped up a multinational conference. He took off his glasses and massaged his throbbing temples when the phone on his desk suddenly rang.
"President Grant, we actually found something regarding the side branch," the caller reported.
"Tell me," Adrian said in a deep voice, finally feeling a spark of interest in this otherwise dull night.
"They registered a company under someone else’s identity. Using your name, they privately contacted quite a few small and medium-sized enterprises and pulled in a significant amount of investment."
Adrian sneered. "I thought they were going to pull off something impressive. I suppose that’s the extent of their courage."
"Oh, right. You asked me to look into Matthew Grant this afternoon. The findings were quite shocking.
"Matthew did pursue Caroline Whitman for a while. When he failed, he tried to force himself on her. Last year, he even used the Grant Group’s name to demand a marriage alliance with the Whitman Group."
Adrian was practically amused by the sheer audacity, a hint of playful intrigue flashing through his eyes. Matthew Grant? That spoiled, lawless nephew from the side branch had grown far too bold.
"We also found out that after being rejected, Matthew spread numerous rumors about Caroline in private," the assistant continued. "He claimed her aloofness was fake and that she was actually hooking up with men everywhere to cling to the wealthy and powerful. He said the investment projects she secured were dirty.
"Not only that, but Matthew has also used your name to pick up quite a few women."
Adrian realized why he had been receiving so many flirty text messages lately; now it all made sense.
"I see. Find an opportunity to give him and the rest of the side branch a warning. If he dares to do anything in my name again, let him know the consequences."
"Understood, President Grant."
After two busy days, the weekend Caroline had been eagerly anticipating for her child’s sake finally arrived.
Caroline Whitman was a good mother who always kept her promises. Having agreed to take Ryan Grant to the amusement park a couple of days ago, she brought him there first thing in the morning.
The two played from dawn until four in the afternoon. Caroline bought him a mountain of his favorite toys, and finally, she took him to Zanthia for a nice dinner.
From the moment they walked in, Ryan’s eyes darted around eagerly. It made Caroline’s heart ache. The poor child must have been cooped up at home for far too long, making him curious about everything he saw outside.
Once he was full and satisfied, Ryan grasped a napkin with his small hands and elegantly wiped his mouth. Only then did Caroline tentatively voice her plans for the rest of the evening.
"Baby, Mommy has a class reunion here tonight. I need you to be a good boy and stay in this private dining room. If you need anything, just tell the nice waitresses. Don’t run off, okay? I’m just going to make an appearance, and then I’ll be right back to take you home."
Caroline had specifically chosen Zanthia with the hope of bumping into Adrian Grant. If he didn’t believe her, she would just have to push the child right in front of him. If he still refused to believe her, she would have to bite the bullet and force him to take a paternity test.
"I’ll be a good boy and wait for you, Mommy."
Ryan nodded obediently like a little woodpecker. But the moment he watched Caroline close the door to the dining room, he immediately looked down and pulled a phone out of his small backpack.
「In the distance.」
A seductively dressed woman had just stepped out of a private room when she caught sight of the heartwarming mother-son scene through the half-open door opposite her.
"Hey, Matthew, come look! Isn’t that Caroline Whitman? How strange, she actually has a kid with her."
She turned her head in pleasant surprise to call out to the man inside. By the time Matthew stepped out, he only managed to catch a glimpse of a figure that looked strikingly like Caroline walking toward the elevators.
Caroline was wearing a well-fitted white satin cheongsam that accentuated her hourglass figure perfectly. Her back profile was both elegant and alluring.
Matthew felt a suppressed wave of lust suddenly surge upward again. He narrowed his eyes to observe her. "It really is her. What is she doing here? Did you say she had a child with her?"
"Yeah. Our class reunion is in a bit, right on the third floor. She went out of her way to book a private room for a kid. Could she be a single mother dragging her child along?" Molly Lawson speculated, her face full of schadenfreude.
Matthew’s expression turned cold. Caroline had completely disrespected him back then, and for what? Just to get knocked up by some unknown man?
He let out a cold snort. "Let’s go take a look at this class reunion of yours."
「On the third floor.」
People were gradually arriving at the private room reserved for the class reunion.
Caroline had arrived right on the dot. All the while, she watched everyone who pushed through the door with a mix of nervousness and anticipation.
Seeing every familiar face brought about a complicated, alternating mix of crushing disappointment and temporary relief.
There were forty-five students in their class. Perhaps because Adrian Grant had returned to the country, a staggering thirty-seven people actually showed up this time. Those who were out of town and unable to attend expressed their regrets in the group chat.
Just as Caroline was contemplating whether she should send Adrian another message, a flurry of footsteps approached from outside the door, followed by the sound of the Class President greeting someone.
"Molly Lawson! You’re the last one we were waiting for."
"Oh, Class President, I ran into terrible traffic! It’s the weekend, so there are so many cars out. It’s a miracle I’m not completely late."
"Oh? President Grant! What brings you here?"
The Class President’s loud greeting of "President Grant" outside the venue made Caroline’s heart THUMP.
"I was just passing by. I heard you guys were having a class reunion, so I hope you don’t mind if I crash it."
A flippant voice accompanied the man as he appeared inside the private room.
Looking at that repulsive face, Caroline’s hopes instantly deflated.
The moment Matthew Grant appeared in the room, the eyes of everyone in the class subconsciously focused on Caroline.
Everyone knew about how crazily Caroline had pursued Matthew back in school. The most humiliating incident of all was on Valentine’s Day one year. She had joyfully presented him with a gift, only to be met with a cold, outright rejection.
Molly followed closely beside Matthew. Her gaze naturally landed on Caroline as well, and she exaggeratedly covered her mouth, putting on a look of feigned astonishment.
"Huh? Caroline Whitman? You’re actually here? You haven’t shown up to the class reunions for the past two years. What a rare occasion for you to attend this year..."
Molly’s eyes curved into crescents as she swept her gaze across the room before leisurely laughing, "Don’t tell me you specifically rushed over because you knew Mr. Grant wanted to accompany me today?"
A cold sneer escaped Matthew’s lips. "You came here for me? Didn’t I already tell you that I have absolutely no interest in women like you?"
Sometimes, Caroline really found it hilarious. In the book, her role was supposed to be the villainous female supporting character’s cannon fodder lackey, whose sole purpose was to follow the female supporting character around and provoke the female lead. Yet here she was, being provoked instead.
She nearly rolled her eyes but settled for a light chuckle. "Don’t flatter yourself. What Mr. Grant? I came today for your President Grant, Adrian Grant. I plan to use this reunion to discuss official business with President Grant."
She spoke bluntly, and at the same time, an idea formed in her mind. If Adrian didn’t show up to this class reunion, she could just use her company’s name to seek him out next time, couldn’t she?
Unexpectedly, Matthew suddenly let out a couple of derisive laughs. "Do you really think that broken-down little company of yours, which was built on underhanded methods, has the right to discuss cooperation with my Grant Group?"
"Your Grant Group?" Caroline shot back. "The food hasn’t even been served yet, and you’re already drunk?"