Chapter 7 High School Classmates

• Still an innocent girl, Iris couldn't bear her mother's interrogation. Her face flushed red as she stood up indignantly. "Mom, why are you so nosy? I'm not eating anymore. I'm going to work!"
• Marc also stood up and followed her. "Darling, I'll walk you there."
• Seeing the two of them leave, Iris's mother banged the table in frustration. "Look at Iris's reaction. That man she married must be useless, I bet.
• "Ugh, what sins did I commit in my past life? My husband and I can't even have children, and my adoptive daughter marries a waste."
• She glanced at Cassian, who was still watching TV on the couch, infuriating her even more. "You heartless thing! Do you have the nerve to watch TV when we're not eating? Are you trying to cultivate immortality or something?"
• Iris's father furrowed his brow and murmured, "A young tycoon bought out Vermillion Group and renamed it Egerton Group.
• "Isn't the ex-convict Iris married named Marc Egerton?"
• Iris's mother remained calm at these words and said lightly, "You don't think that tycoon could be Marc, do you?"
• Then, in a louder voice, she added dramatically, "If I could make 12 billion in jail, I'd go every day!
• "Now hurry up and come eat. If you keep blabbering, I'll make steak out of you!"
• Surprised, Iris's father suddenly got up and quickly turned off the TV to have dinner with her. He might stand up to anyone, but he respected his wife. She was adamant and grew up strong; just one look from her could make him give in.
• The walk from Iris's home to the Cokes' family business took merely fifteen minutes. Marc ambled behind, pondering purchasing a car for his wife. Still, he hesitated, unsure if she would accept it.
• "I'm here. You can go back now," Iris said without turning around. She dropped off the comment and entered the office building.
• Marc shrugged and turned to leave.
• Just then, a Porsche roared up and abruptly stopped about ten metres before him. The door swung open, and a glamorous woman stepped out. Her outfit was skimpy, and her expression was haughty. It was none other than Oriel arriving for work.
• "Well, well, standing guard here so early. Applying for a security job? Need me to say a good word?" Oriel noticed Marc and swayed over, full of herself.
• Marc didn't even lift an eyelid. He completely ignored her.
• Oriel felt irritated and was about to mock him when suddenly she felt someone bump into her.
• "Are you blind? Can't you watch where you're going?" Oriel turned around and cursed.
• The young man in a black suit turned around and pointed to himself.
• "Miss, are you cursing at me?"
• Upon seeing this young man, Oriel's anger instantly dissipated, replaced by a deep sense of delight.
• "Magnus, what are you doing here?"
• This man was Magnus Quinton, who had pursued her in college. His appearance now confirmed that yesterday's gift was indeed from him!
• Magnus looked at Oriel for three seconds and recognised her, too. Seeing the sparkling gemstone bracelet on her wrist, he couldn't help but feel moved.
• "Oriel, you only just recognised me, but I've known it was you all along. That bump just now was intentional."
• Magnus reacted quickly, smiling as he approached.
• "Magnus, I can't believe you remembered my birthday after three years apart. I really love your gift."
• Oriel pretended to be shy, brushing her arm against Magnus's.
• Magnus looked bewildered, awkwardly saying, "I'm glad you like it. I put a lot of thought into choosing it."
• Marc had already started to walk away, but upon hearing this, he couldn't help but stop.
• Who does this shameless guy think he is? How could he say something like that?
• Those things clearly belong to my family, right?
• Hearing Magnus's words, Oriel became even more convinced of her thoughts. She lifted her head and asked, "So you're the one who acquired Vermillion Group, too, right? Only your Quinton family in Malviston has that capability."
• Magnus suddenly understood. Clearly, this woman saw him as a scion of the Quintons in Malviston. Well, that works! It makes the next move easier.
• With this in mind, Magnus adjusted his hairstyle.
• "Oriel, let's not talk about these things on the street. You know I prefer to keep a low profile.
• "If it weren't to make you happy for a moment, I wouldn't bother buying such small companies."
• Marc was amazed, utterly amazed.
• This guy's bragging is top-notch! Full marks, for sure!
• Seeing Marc turn back, Oriel proudly draped herself over Magnus's arm. She said confidently, "Magnus, come to my place for dinner tonight. My grandmother has been wanting to meet you."
• Magnus readily agreed. "Sure, I'd love to meet your family too.
• "Let's go, let's go. Come with me to buy a gift."
• Oriel shook her head proudly.
• "Never mind, you spent tens of millions on gifts for me yesterday, so there's no need to spend more."
• Magnus stuck out his tongue. Geez, tens of millions on gifts! D*mn, I hit the jackpot this time.
• "Alright then, I'll wait for you here tonight."
• Seeing this scene, Marc gradually revealed a wicked smile on his face. This situation was getting more and more enjoyable.
• "Marc? Are you still alive? Am I seeing a ghost?"
• Suddenly, an exaggerated voice interrupted Marc's thoughts. A man in an Armani suit walked over, eyeing Marc like he was watching a monkey.
• Marc was somewhat astonished to see this man. What a coincidence to run into an acquaintance like this.
• This man was Gideon Corwin, his class monitor from high school days. Besides being a bit foul-mouthed, he didn't have many other virtues. Judging by his stylish attire, he was doing quite well.
• "Long time no see, class monitor."
• Marc greeted casually.
• Gideon circled around Marc, clicking his tongue.
• "I haven't seen you in almost ten years, and you're still struggling like this.
• "Back in school, you were either selling cockroach spray in every dorm to scrape together tuition or washing other people's underwear.
• "I always thought back then, Marc, you're screwed for life."
• As Gideon spoke, he touched Marc's clothes and shook his head disapprovingly.
• "You say you buy stuff from flea markets. At least get something with a brand name on it. Even a knockoff Adidas with four stripes would do."
• Far away, Oriel saw this scene and couldn't help laughing, looking at Marc.
• "Some people only need one glance to know their whole life.
• "Hahaha. That's how it is for you in this lifetime, hahaha."
• Oriel couldn't stop laughing, walking away arm in arm with Magnus.
• Gideon watched Oriel's departing figure and instinctively licked his lips.
• "Marc, who's that chick? Looks pretty hot."
• Marc replied calmly, "An old friend from before."
• Gideon withdrew his gaze and looked back at Marc.
• "By the way, there's a high school reunion today at noon. It would help if you came too. Everyone's been wanting to see you."
• Gideon teased, "I wanna see if you're starving."
• Marc just kept quiet.
• The first sentence sounded normal, but the second one asked for trouble. Yet Marc wasn't offended. Back in high school, he used to sell cockroach spray and rat poison door-to-door to earn tuition, and Gideon had been a frequent customer, so he had helped him out.
• "Forget it, I'm not going. You know I'm not into these gatherings."
• Marc politely declined. He planned to visit his new company later.
• "Let me tell you, Aralyn will be there today. Remember how she used to chase after you? Aren't you curious to catch up with her?"
• Gideon winked mischievously.