Chapter 4
After Ryan publicly announced he was giving up Harvard and MIT, he started acting like he was on top of the world.
He probably still thought he was that billionaire from his past life, thinking he could boss everyone around and run the show.
David stood at the front for a while, finally sighed, dropped the report cards on the desk, and walked out of the classroom.
The whole class was still in shock, not having recovered yet.
Ryan, on the other hand, was soaking up all the attention.
He stood next to his desk, one hand resting on the tabletop, the other shoved in his pocket, chin tilted up as he scanned the room.
I knew that expression all too well.
In his last life, whenever he crushed the shareholders at a board meeting, he wore that same cocky, triumphant look.
"Hey, everyone," Ryan said, not loud, but clear enough for the whole class to hear. "Tonight, I'm treating you all to dinner at the Regency Grand Hotel, the fanciest five-star place in town, to celebrate me being the top scorer in the state."
The classroom exploded with excitement again.
"Regency Grand? Isn't that the place where a single night costs what my dad makes in a month?"
"Damn, Ryan, did you win the lottery or something?"
"Man, being the top scorer in the state really means you can throw money around!"
Emily sat in the corner, a shy smile on her face, but her eyes were practically sparkling.
She probably thought she was finally going to make it big, like her whole life was about to change.
Leaning against the doorframe, I almost lost it after hearing that.
Regency Grand Hotel.
In his last life, Ryan was a regular there, signing bills like it was nothing, always throwing the most lavish business dinners.
But now?
He didn't have a single card in his wallet that would actually go through at checkout.
The Foster Family's money had already been frozen after I made that call.
Ryan probably hadn't even noticed yet.
Seeing everyone get excited, he added, "Seven o'clock tonight, Regency Grand Hotel, third-floor banquet hall. Everyone better be there, no excuses."
After saying that, he deliberately glanced over at me by the door, a smirk playing on his lips.
"Charlotte Foster," he called out my full name, his voice thick with sarcasm. "Haven't you always looked down on me? Maybe you should just skip dinner tonight, huh?"
Everyone's eyes instantly locked onto me.
I shot him a genuinely sincere smile.
"Why wouldn't I go? How could I miss the top scorer's celebration dinner? Plus, the abalone and lobster at Regency Grand are legit, it's been way too long since I had those."
Ryan's smile froze for a split second.
He probably didn't expect me to actually say yes.
In his mind, I was supposed to either run off crying or make a dramatic exit, all angry and embarrassed.
But I wasn't about to give him the satisfaction.
I was just there for the drama.
Just then, Emily got up, walked over to Ryan, and hooked her arm through his, like it was the most natural thing in the world.
She lifted her face to me, sounding all soft and fragile. "Charlotte, Ryan didn't mean it like that. We'd be happy if you came. It's just Ryan's already made his choice, so I hope you won't keep hanging around him."
By the time she finished, her voice was barely above a whisper, like she was the poor victim in all this.
I stared at her for three seconds.
Emily, back in her last life, she made it to thirty, spending all her days like a bird in a gilded cage in the villa Ryan set up for her.
Now that she had a second shot at life, she had gotten a lot gutsier.
She even had the nerve to take me on in front of everyone.
"Relax," I said, pulling a face at her. "You two can keep each other, just make sure you don't go ruining anyone else's life. I'm not into sloppy seconds."
And with that, I turned on my heel and walked off.
Behind me, I heard Emily's voice, all soft and whiny, "Why does she have to be so mean?" and Ryan murmuring something to comfort her.
I didn't even glance back.
At five in the afternoon, I went home to change.
It wasn't some designer dress, just a regular one, but honestly, I made it look better than anyone else could.
My dad was sitting in the living room, drinking his coffee. When I came downstairs, he glanced up at me.
"Going to watch the show?"
"Yeah," I said, leaning in to kiss him on the cheek. "Nice move, Dad. Ryan probably hasn't even realized he's broke yet."
My dad took a sip of his coffee, his expression calm. "The Foster Family has been supporting him for ages. It's about time he learned what it's like without us backing him up. Go on, but be careful. William is waiting for you downstairs."
William Falls was our family driver, and he'd been with my dad for over twenty years.
I bounced out the door.
When I arrived at the Regency Grand Hotel, it was exactly seven o'clock.
The banquet hall on the third floor was already packed.
Ryan had booked the biggest private room, with three round tables set up for our class of about forty people.
The place was seriously fancy, crystal chandeliers, plush leather chairs, and the silverware on the tables practically gleamed.
Ryan sat at the head of the main table with Emily right beside him, and her hand never left his arm, as though she wanted to be sure everyone knew he was hers.
When I walked in, the room went quiet for a second.
A few girls who were usually friendly with me waved, so I slid into a seat at their table.
Ryan saw me, his brows furrowing for a moment before he relaxed.
He probably thought I was just in time for him to embarrass me in front of everyone.