Chapter 441 - 437: Provocation

After Monica Coleman left, the two of them returned to the car.

Blair couldn’t help but ask, "Cecilia, can this factory really make money?"

Cecilia Sterling tilted her head, smiling at her. Instead of answering directly, she countered, "You’re earning more than enough from streaming now. Are you still thinking about investing?"

"Got a good project you can bring me in on?" Blair’s interest was piqued. "If I can make money, I’m definitely in."

"It’s not so much me bringing you in," Cecilia said, choosing her words carefully. "I just think Sunstone District has a lot of potential. If you’re willing to invest there, you should be able to turn a profit."

But Blair’s trust in her was unconditional.

"Alright, I’ll look into it when I get back."

*

Lorcain U, cafeteria.

The iron triangle was still the iron triangle. Even though the three of them had enrolled in different departments, they still got together for meals whenever they could.

Renee Reid sat down with a huge bowl of malatang, its surface covered in a layer of fragrant red chili oil.

"Malatang again?" Jameson Stone said with a frown. "It’s fine to have it once in a while to satisfy a craving, but it’s not healthy to eat it so often."

"Mind your own business!" Renee Reid rolled her eyes, pointing at the cola next to him. "And I haven’t said anything about you drinking soda every single day."

"This is sugar-free!"

"Wrong! It’s artificially sweetened!"

"That’s still healthier than your two giant spoonfuls of chili oil. Besides, you’re supposed to add a scoop of minced garlic. That’s what makes it taste good. You don’t even know how to eat it right!"

"Like I need you to teach me! I have a group project this afternoon; I can’t eat garlic!"

As they bickered, they both kept glancing toward the entrance.

"Why isn’t Ethan here yet?"

"Didn’t he just reply in the group chat? I was the farthest away, and even I’m here," Renee Reid said, finding it strange as well. She picked up her phone and shot Ethan Sterling a voice call.

In a corner of a hallway in one of the academic buildings.

A voice call was ringing incessantly, but no one answered.

Listening closely, however, one could hear faint laughter.

Clutching his phone, Ethan Sterling was backed into a corner, his face a mask of suppressed fury as he glared at the people in front of him.

The one leading them was none other than Owen Griffin—the same guy Ethan had given his car purchase spot to, the same guy who’d tried to give Renee Reid a hard time at Aetherium, only to be outmaneuvered by Ethan himself.

"Bro, we must be fated to meet," Owen Griffin said with a malicious grin, his eyes raking over Ethan. "You actually got into Lorcain U?"

"Shouldn’t I be the one asking you that?" Ethan retorted coldly. "It’s a miracle someone like you could get into Lorcain U. Ever considered applying for a Guinness World Record?"

"Such a sharp tongue, huh? You think I won’t beat the shit out of you?" Owen Griffin shoved his face forward. Ethan’s head was already pressed against the wall, and he could feel Owen’s hot breath on his cheek.

Ethan could only turn his head away, a move that prompted Owen Griffin and his cronies to burst out laughing.

"Don’t be scared, I’m straight. What, you think I was gonna kiss you? HAHAHAHA..."

Ethan’s gaze darkened. "What do you want?" he asked coldly.

"Nothing," Owen Griffin shrugged. "Just wanted to say hi. Look at us, we keep running into each other everywhere. Must be fate, don’t you think?"

Ethan didn’t answer, just watched him.

’In this situation, if they really started something, I’d be the one to lose out.’ He chose not to provoke them.

He knew it was wise to pick his battles.

Seeing Ethan remain silent, Owen Griffin snorted, some of his bratty facade falling away. "I just fucking can’t stand the sight of you. I still haven’t settled the score from last time, and don’t you forget it."

He also knew you couldn’t get into fights on campus.

Lorcain U had strict rules; fighting would get you a demerit on your record.

"What are you all doing?"

Just then, a sharp voice cut in from behind them, and everyone turned to look.

Wyatt Sherman stood at the head of a group of four or five other upperclassmen, all of them rounding the corner and staring at them with unfriendly expressions.

"Hey, upperclassmen. We were just having a chat," Owen Griffin said, forcing a smile.

They were no strangers to Wyatt Sherman and his crew. They were all on the student council, and every one of them was well-known at Lorcain U.

Wyatt Sherman’s eyes immediately fell on Ethan, and his brow furrowed. "Ethan?"

Ethan took the opportunity to straighten his clothes and stepped forward to stand before him. "Wyatt Sherman."

Wyatt sized Ethan up, then shot a scrutinizing glare at Owen Griffin and his friends, who guiltily looked down and rubbed their noses.

Being on the student council, they’d seen this sort of thing plenty of times. How could they not know what was going on?

"You okay?" Wyatt asked, concerned. "Did they hit you?"

Ethan shook his head. It wasn’t a lie; there had only been verbal provocations, no physical contact.

Seeing that Ethan wasn’t hurt, Wyatt knew he couldn’t get too involved. He just shot a stern warning at Owen Griffin and his friends. "This is Lorcain U, not some back alley for thugs to hang out. If you dare pull any group bullying crap here, if you so much as lay a finger on him, just see what I do to you!"

"We know, we know. We won’t get physical, you can count on it," Owen Griffin said, still grinning cheekily.

"If you know, then get lost," another guy behind Wyatt snapped.

At that, the group scattered. Owen Griffin, the last to leave, shot Ethan a deep, parting glance that clearly said, ’This isn’t over.’

Ethan pretended to ignore the look and turned to thank Wyatt. "Thanks, Wyatt. I should get going too."

"If you run into trouble like this again, just find me. You have my WhatsApp, right?" Wyatt reminded him.

Ethan pursed his lips, a little embarrassed. But then Wyatt insisted, "Don’t feel like it’s a burden. I’m on the student council. This is literally my job. Just tell me. Whoever bullies you, I’ll make sure they regret it!"

Wyatt’s anger was a little over the top, which made the others exchange glances. ’What’s with him today? He’s acting so weird,’ they thought.

Ethan nodded obediently, and only then did Wyatt let him go.

"Wyatt, you know that underclassman?" one of them asked, unable to contain their curiosity.

Wyatt nodded. "He’s in my department. A top student from Team Inferno. He was specially recruited by the university, so they wouldn’t be happy if anything happened to him. We should all look out for him from now on."

"He got into Team Inferno? Damn, that’s impressive!"

Ethan jogged the rest of the way to the cafeteria.

"Sorry to keep you waiting," he said, panting as he sat down. The noodles Jameson Stone had ordered for him were already getting soggy.

Jameson Stone and Renee Reid saw the beads of sweat on his forehead and exchanged a look.

"Seriously, Ethan, what were you up to?" Jameson Stone asked, leaning in.

Ethan shook his head, deciding not to tell them what had just happened.

Otherwise, knowing Renee’s personality, she would blame herself. She’d think he’d only made an enemy of that guy because of her.

"It’s nothing. These noodles are all soggy. I’ll just go get another bowl."

Ethan tried to sound casual as he stood up, but as he raised his eyes, a figure in a white dress seemed to float past him.

Ethan froze. ’Huh?’

’Is that her?’