Leaning back in my chair, I let out a slow, lazy chuckle–one of quiet authority.
It was a habit I picked up from Kian.
In the corporate world, no one dared to speak to me like this.
I was Kian’s assistant, his right–hand man, a CEO with 50% decision–making power.
I had long since outgrown my past.
There was nothing to be ashamed of.
I had no reason to feel small.
I met Wade’s gaze, calm and unbothered.
“Wade, what’s the name of your company?”
He clearly hadn’t expected me to acknowledge him, much less ask about his business.
He scoffed. “Haha! Infinity Media and Infinity Electronics. My family owns them both.”
A few people around us let out small gasps of admiration.
“Wow.”
I almost laughed.
I heard of Infinity Media, but compared to Homer Enterprises, it was like a small–time entrepreneur boasting in front of a Forbes–listed tycoon.
“What?” Wade smirked, mistaking my silence for shock.
“Never heard of it?”
I simply shook my head, not even bothering to argue.
I had already seen through him.
That was enough,
+25 BONUS
Chapter 8
Turning to Leslie, I gently steered the conversation away, asking about her child and promising to visit soon with a generous gift.
That finally brought a smile back to her face.
Meanwhile, Wade, realizing I had completely dismissed him, seethed with quiet humiliation.
Grumbling under his breath, he downed another drink.
Of course, there were always people who sucked up to money, and a few classmates quickly gathered around Wade, flattering him, feeding his ego.
His mood instantly improved, and he launched into a pompous speech about the bright future of his company, acting like he was the richest man in the room.
The reunion carried on past 10 p.m., with most of my classmates drinking to their heart’s content.
By then, I figured it was time to make my exit.
I transferred two hundred dollars to Pierce as a gesture of thanks and got ready to leave.
Since the private room was stuffy, the door had been left wide open, making it easier for me to slip out unnoticed or so I thought.
Just as I stood up, Wade spotted me.
He staggered over, throwing an arm around my shoulders.
The overwhelming stench of alcohol hit my face, making me wince.
“Sora, don’t be in such a hurry! You haven’t even had a drink yet. What, are you looking down on your old classmates?”
I held back my irritation. “I’m on medication. I can’t drink
Wade let out a loud, mocking laugh.
“Medication? Hah! That’s a weak excuse–sounds like something a woman would say. Come on, be a man. Drink with me!”
He slammed a glass of straight vodka onto the table, filling it to the brim.
I pushed it away, refusing.
“What, you think you’re better than me?”
He suddenly turned aggressive, shoving the glass toward me again.
Before I could react, Pierce stepped in.
“Sora had a head injury and got his stitches removed, so he really can’t drink. Come on, there are plenty of people here who’ll drink with you.”
He tried to pull Wade away.
But Wade yanked his arm free, his lips curling into a sleazy grin.
Chapter 8
A sudden thunderclap of silence.
The words hit me like a lightning strike, shocking me still.
I whipped my head around, staring at him in disbelief.
Wade grinned wider, clearly enjoying my reaction.
“Oh, what? The rest of you don’t know?”
He spread his arms, reveling in the attention. “Well, I do.”
My blood roared in my ears.
Panic surged through me, my breath catching in my throat.
This was my secret.
My deepest, most guarded truth.
How the hell did he know?
I wanted to run and get out of there.
But my feet wouldn’t move.
It was like they had been nailed to the ground.
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