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nLana indeed discovered two girls with potential, making the trip worthwhile.

nThomas and his group sat at a small table, quietly eating. They only heard laughter from the neighboring table, feeling as though they were excluded from everything.

nIronically, they had set up this gathering. Normally, during such a mixer event, the three guys sitting with Thomas should have been able to win over a girl. But by now, they’d lost all face. Why would the girls at the big table be interested in them?

nHowever, due to Ryan and Lana’s attitude towards William, the girls started showing interest in Wyatt and his group.

nWilliam seemed aloof. Even Lila outright claimed there was no chance with him. Approaching him further would just be humiliating.

nBut these girls recognized something.

nWilliam wasn’t as simple as he appeared on the surface.

nRyan was desperately trying to please him and even wanted William as his brother-in-law. Lana claimed to be William’s friend, which hinted that William might be a second-generation rich kid.

nAnd probably even more influential than Ryan.

nIf they can’t win over William, then they should try with his friends.

nEven though Wyatt and his group looked somewhat ordinary, having a friend like William meant that they would have bright futures. Or if they ever faced troubles, they could ask William for help, which should be easy.

nSuddenly, many girls began approaching Wyatt and his group, even exchanging WhatsApp contacts with them.

nIt was like watching a tale of nerds turning their fortunes around.

nAfter sitting down, Lila didn’t speak, only listening to Lana bonding with the dance department girls. She avoided looking at William.

nShe was still holding a grudge. After helping William find a job and driving him around, was she unexpectedly “rejected”?

nThe thing was, she had no intention of dating William in the first place. Ryan had dragged her into this mess.

nIt was all so frustrating!

nDavid sat there silently for a while, then turned to Lila and asked, “Lila, are you free tomorrow? The famous painter York Brimstone is holding an exhibition in our city. Want to go?”

n“I’ve already told you, I’m busy. I’m not going!” Lila loved painting, and the York Brimstone David mentioned was a renowned oil painting master. She had planned to go by herself, but if David was inviting, she had to refuse.

nDavid tried to engage her in other topics of interest, but unfortunately, Lila wasn’t interested in him at all. Everything he said failed to capture her attention, leading to awkward conversation.

nWilliam, on the other hand, was quite relaxed, leisurely enjoying the gourmet dishes on the table. After all, the dishes were from a Michelin three-star hotel, and some were new to him. After tasting them, he contemplated how to improve them and maybe recreate them at home.

nLila responded minimally to David’s persistent advances. She had already turned him down multiple times. It was a wonder they hadn’t had a fallout yet. His persistence, like an annoying adhesive plaster, was unbearable.

nDavid felt the growing awkwardness. Apart from occasional nods and mumbles, Lila hardly responded. What was the point of such a conversation?

nAfter leaving with Ryan, he didn’t leave the restaurant. When it came time to pay the bill, the restaurant had given him a discount. Even though he was quite drunk, he didn’t forget to ask the owner for the invoice. The total cost was over 50,000 USD, but Ryan insisted that the owner generate a bill for over 830,000 USD.

nMoreover, he had his father send someone with his bank card!

nHow could he leave without the credit card?

nWho knows, the card might have a few million dollars on it. So, what’s the harm in splurging on a lavish dinner?

nRyan and the three senior students from Bronx Budo Dojo sat on the sofas at the hotel entrance, watching time tick by. Initially, they thought that Ryan’s father would at most send a secretary or a driver to deliver the card. To their surprise, his father actually came in person.

nChristopher Carter, the head of the renowned Carter family of New York, a man of both wisdom and strategy, wouldn’t tolerate his son being so reckless before even graduating from college.

nIf a bank card with millions was handed to Ryan, who knows what he might do?

n“Dad… why are you here?” Seeing his father, Ryan was utterly stunned.

nChristopher was a very busy man. His daily schedule was jam-packed. He had to personally handle a lot of things, and it was common for him to fly to several cities in one day. There was no need for him to personally attend to something like this.

n“If I didn’t come, wouldn’t you have caused even more chaos?” Christopher said with a cold smirk. With his day-to-day busy with company matters, Ryan might not see him for days, or even weeks. Even when Christopher was at home, Ryan would avoid him like a mouse avoids a cat, trying his best not to meet him.

nHe had the audacity to ask for money so brazenly on the phone today. If I were to indulge his reckless behavior, would it not just spoil him even further?

nRyan exclaimed in surprise, “Dad, you’re so busy. Why did you have to come here in person for such a small matter?” 𝒷𝒹𝓸𝓿𝓁.𝒸ℴ𝓶

nChristopher narrowed his eyes and stared at Ryan, “Tell me, how much did this meal cost? I’ve never spent a hundred thousand dollars on a single meal.”

n“It was $835,000!” Ryan took out the dining bill and handed it over.

nChristopher didn’t even glance at it, “Give me your phone. I want to see your messages.”

nDid Christopher really not know about the faked bills? He’s been around the block; he’s no novice.

nRyan’s lips twitched severely, “I dropped my phone just now… Alright, it was $650,000.”

n“Give me your phone!” Christopher extended his hand.

nRyan took out his phone, its screen shattered from an apparent fall.

nHe hadn’t expected his father to come, but he had planned for this contingency. He felt smug at the moment!

nHe should at least get $200,000 as pocket money today!

nChristopher snorted, “Fine! I’ll have someone check your bank transactions. If you dare lie to me, you know the consequences!”

n“Dad, isn’t that a bit extreme?” At this point, Ryan was on the edge. His father was ruthless! If he really wanted, he could freeze Ryan’s bank accounts in a heartbeat. “I only spent a bit over $50,000 today. But do I have to ask you for money every time I dine with William?”

nChristopher laughed, “When you talk to me in the future, mind your tone! You can keep the remaining money in your account. However, for every transaction, you must send me a message to notify me. Now, take me to meet this William.”

n“Alright, my magnificent father!” Even though Ryan had been cornered, he still had the money in his account. As for reporting every expense? There were plenty of ways to game that system.

nRyan started walking towards the private dining room, but he was so wobbly that he couldn’t walk in a straight line. Christopher quickly grabbed him, asking sternly in a low voice, “Son, how much have you had to drink?”

n“Just a few drinks.” Ryan rolled his eyes sarcastically, “Your son can hold his liquor, Dad. What’s a little booze to me?”

nChristopher didn’t respond further. Right now, all he wanted was to see for himself who this William was that his father spoke so highly of.

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