Chapter 30: Bringing The Main Attraction

We headed back to the penthouse to get completely styled out. May threw on a breathtaking, custom fitted dress that complemented her athletic frame, Chloe picked an elegant, high-fashion silk outfit that screamed brilliant corporate royalty, and I suited up to match.

When we stepped downstairs to the private garage, a sleek black convoy was already idling, waiting to escort us through the city.

We rolled up to the venue—a sprawling, private hilltop estate surrounded by security perimeters and velvet ropes. The moment our convoy pulled into the driveway, heads started turning. The paparazzi stationed outside went completely wild, trying to get shots of May, Chloe, and me as the security detail cleared a path straight through the VIP entrance.

Inside, the party was packed with music stars, high-profile actors, top athletes, and industry elite. The bass from the DJ booth was vibrating through the floorboards, and the champagne was flowing non-stop.

As soon as we walked into the main VIP lounge, the room shifted. Everyone recognized May instantly as the world record holder who had just dropped the entire sports industry on its head by snubbing the corporate giants for Zenith.

"Look who just walked in," Chloe whispered near my ear, leaning in with a playful grin as several famous faces began heading straight toward our lounge table to introduce themselves. "I think you just brought the main attraction to their party."

We decided to drop the business talk entirely and just unwind.

Naturally, the rest of the room had the opposite idea when it came to May. The moment we settled into a booth, a flow of high-profile guests started making their way over. Among them, a well-known female track athlete walked up to our table. She extended a hand to May, her face glowing with genuine respect.

"I just wanted to say congratulations," the athlete said, shaking May’s hand warmly. "What you did on the track was unreal, but what you did today with Zenith? That inspired every single one of us who’s tired of being owned by corporate brands. You set a whole new blueprint."

May smiled, her eyes lighting up as the two of them instantly fell into a deep, energetic conversation about training, independence, and the industry.

Seeing that May was completely in her element, I gave her a subtle nod, grabbed a bottle of top-shelf champagne from the ice bucket, and backed away from the crowd.

Chloe followed me over to the quieter edge of the VIP balcony overlooking the main floor. I popped the cork, poured us two glasses, and handed one over to her. We clinked our glasses together under the low lounge lights.

"To complete freedom," I said, taking a slow sip.

Chloe leaned against the marble railing beside me, watching the chaos of the party down below with a relaxed, satisfied smile. "I could definitely get used to this rhythm. No exams hanging over my head, no uncle making threats, and a front-row seat to an empire being built."

"You earned every bit of it," I replied, leaning back against the glass pane. "And this is just the ground floor."

She laughed softly, taking a sip of her drink and turning her head to look back at May, who was currently laughing and holding court with half the room’s elite athletes.

"She really is a star, isn’t she?" Chloe noted warmly, sliding a little closer to my side. "So, boss... what’s the play once the hangover wears off tomorrow?"

I smirked, taking a slow sip from my glass as I looked over at Chloe.

"Boss?" I teased softly, raising an eyebrow. "What happened to calling me ’Mr. Impulsive’?"

Chloe let out a soft laugh, swirling the champagne in her glass as she leaned into my shoulder. "Hey, at least now your ’impulsive’ moves actually come with 40% equity and a 4.0 GPA. I’d say you’ve upgraded from reckless to dangerously effective."

"Progress," I chuckled.

We stayed like that for a moment, taking in the ambient bass and the flickering VIP lights, until Chloe’s gaze shifted back toward the center of the lounge. Her smile faded slightly, her eyes narrowing as she tapped my arm.

"Look over there," she whispered.

I followed her eyes across the room. A guy in a flashy designer jacket had just detached himself from a group near the bar and was casually walking up to May’s table with a confident grin on his face.

It was May’s ex.

From the way he was holding his drink and scanning her high-fashion outfit, it was painfully clear he hadn’t even recognized her yet—he just saw an unbelievably stunning woman sitting in the center of the VIP section and decided to shoot his shot.

I walked down the steps from the balcony, casually slipping through the VIP crowd with Chloe floating right beside me. I pulled up directly behind him, taking a slow sip from my glass as I caught his smooth-talking pick-up lines.

He was leaning against May’s couch, laying it on thick about how he only associated with "high-value women" and wanted to take her somewhere exclusive.

May wasn’t moved in the slightest. She just sat back, her expression shifting from pure confusion to second-hand embarrassment as she took in his cheap lines and flashy outfit.

"You really don’t recognize me, do you?" May said, her voice dripping with cold indifference. She leaned forward into the light, placing her World Record plaque right on the marble table. "It’s May. The girl you walked out on because you said I’d never amount to anything."

The guy froze, the color completely draining from his face as his jaw practically hit the floor. He stared at her, utterly stunned, trying to connect the world-famous athlete sitting in front of him with the ex he had tossed aside.

Panicking under the gazes of the surrounding athletes and celebrities, he tried to pivot instantly.

"May?! Wait—no way!" he stammered out, trying to force a charming smile as he took a step closer. "Look, I... I always knew you had this in you! I was just pushing you back then! Deep down, you know we had a real spark, May. You wouldn’t be standing here at the top if you didn’t still feel something for me—"

"Save it," May cut him off, her voice ringing out clearly across the VIP section so everyone heard it. "I don’t feel anything for you. I never will. Get away from me."

The rejection landed like a physical blow in front of the entire gathering. May stood up, completely turning her back on him, and walked straight over to me, wrapping her arm securely around mine.

His eyes followed her, locking onto me as I stood tall right beside her. The realization of who I was—and how completely outclassed he was—disgraced him on the spot. He looked small, embarrassed, and thoroughly exposed under the glowing VIP lights.

I took a slow step forward, looking down at him with a dark, unyielding stare.

"You heard her," I said, my voice low, sharp, and commanding enough to shut down the room. "Stay the hell away from her. If I see your face near May again, being publicly humiliated will be the least of your problems."

He swallowed hard, unable to hold my gaze for even two seconds. Without uttering another word, he backed away into the crowd and practically sprinted toward the exit.

May let out a soft, satisfied breath, leaning her head on my shoulder as Chloe joined us with a triumphant smirk.

"Now that was needed," May laughed softly, turning her back on the doorway as we walked away together.

---

The graduation hall was packed to the brim, the grand cathedral ceilings echoing with the steady roar of applause as class after class walked across the stage.

I sat in the front row of the VIP family section, flanked by May and Tiana, both dressed impeccably and drawing plenty of admiring glances from the surrounding crowd. May couldn’t keep still, practically bouncing in her seat with excitement, while Tiana took in the sheer prestige of the event with a relaxed, confident smile.

Up on the elevated platform stood Chloe’s uncle, looking stiff, rigid, and intensely uncomfortable in his ceremonial academic robes. As the head of the department, it was his duty to hand out the Highest Honors distinctions—and he had absolutely zero choice in the matter.

"Next, graduating Summa Cum Laude with a perfect 4.00 cumulative GPA and the Dean’s Award for Academic Excellence..." the announcer’s voice boomed over the speakers, "...Chloe!"

The entire hall erupted.

May and I immediately stood up, cheering loudly and whistling as Chloe stepped out onto the stage. She looked radiant, her academic gown tailored to perfection, holding her head high with unshakeable dignity. She didn’t just pass—she had completely dominated her field, leaving no room for her uncle’s underhanded politics to touch her.

Her uncle’s jaw was tight as she walked up to him. His hands shook slightly as he picked up the heavy brass plaque and the rolled diploma tied with a velvet ribbon. He looked like he was swallowing glass, but with hundreds of cameras flashing and the university board watching every second, he forced the fake, practiced smile onto his face.

He extended the plaque, his voice barely a whisper over the crowd’s roar. "Congratulations, Chloe."

Chloe took the award firmly from his hands, looking him straight in the eyes with a calm, triumphant smile.

"Thank you, Uncle," she replied softly, her tone cool and untouchable. "I couldn’t have done it without your... constant motivation."

She didn’t wait for his response. She turned toward the audience, held her Highest Honors plaque high above her head, and locked eyes directly with me in the front row, giving me a bright, dazzling grin.

As she walked off the stage to rejoin her peers, my system interface flickered briefly across my vision:

[ Milestone Complete: Chloe’s Academic Transformation ]

[ Public Status: Valedictorian / Legal Authority ]

[ Current Net Worth Baseline: $3,323,000 Liquid ]

"She completely owned him," May laughed, clapping until her hands were red as she leaned over to me. "Did you see his face? Absolute gold!"

"That was pure art," Tiana agreed, shaking her head with a smirk. "Now she officially steps into the empire as our head legal counsel."