Skip to content
Novel Catalog
Gordon scoffed as he hung up the phone. “They’re giving us the cold shoulder now. Just wait until you become successful, Carl. They’ll all come crawling back then. You’ll be too good for them when that time comes!”
Carlisle smiled wryly at his father’s words, but he didn’t dwell on them. The weight of his achievement still felt surreal. As he walked toward the school field, the PA system blared to life, cutting through the quiet.
“Carlisle Zahn, please take a look at the school building.”
Carlisle stopped in his tracks, his eyes instinctively drawn to the school. There, standing at the top of the building, was a figure—a teacher, no doubt.
Then, as if on cue, a gigantic banner unfurled from the rooftop, cascading downward like a waterfall. The banner read: “Heartfelt congratulations to Carlisle Zahn from Class 3A for entering Riverland University!”
The voice over the announcement echoed across the field, drawing every student’s attention. Whispers quickly spread like wildfire.
“Isn’t that Ms. Turner?” someone asked.
“Dang, what was Carlisle’s test score that the teacher even put up a banner for him?” another student wondered.
“I think he scored 1400!” someone else replied, their voice laced with awe.
Carlisle stood still, letting the moment sink in. His classmates began to gather around him, eager to ask about the celebration and, more importantly, to tag along.
He gave them a modest nod, acknowledging their presence but never breaking his calm demeanor.
Lucy, watching from the rooftop, felt a surge of pride, her eyes welling up with emotion. She lingered for a moment, watching the students below, before a few of her colleagues gently urged her to leave.
On the field, the students were buzzing with excitement. The party plans were already taking shape.
“Are you having a college entrance celebration, Carlisle?” one student asked eagerly. “Where’s it going to be?”
Carlisle grinned from ear to ear. “Those who want to celebrate can meet me at Sunago Restaurant right now!”
“Let me go back and get some money! I need to make sure I’ve got enough congratulatory money!” one student chimed in.
“I’ll go back too!” another said, excited to join in.
But Sean, always the generous one, didn’t hesitate. “Why go back? How much do you need? I can lend it to you!” he said, pulling out ten 100-dollar bills from his pocket.
The students gasped. That was a thousand dollars—more money than most of them would see in a month. Everyone knew that Sean came from a wealthy family, and he didn’t mind showing it.
“Sean, please lend me 20 dollars!” Herman said with a grin.
Abigail, inspecting the few crumpled bills she had in her pocket, sighed. “I’ve got 20 dollars, but they’re in small change… that’s not going to look good.”
Quentin, without any money, also asked Sean for a loan.
Sean didn’t hesitate, heading to the tuck shop outside to get change. Soon, every student was handed 20 dollars, and they were all set to go.
Sarah and Sienna, who had been walking toward the school, overheard the students talking about the celebration.
Sienna raised an eyebrow. “Is there a graduation gathering or something?”
“Nope,” Herman explained. “We’re heading to Carlisle’s college entrance party!”
Sarah, walking with her bike, glanced at Carlisle and then directed her question at him. “Can I attend your celebration?”
Carlisle smiled slightly, nodding. “We’re schoolmates. Of course, you can!”
Sarah’s lips curled into a smile as she turned to Sean. “Sean, let me borrow 20 dollars too!”
Sean raised an eyebrow, his lips curling into a fake smile. “Is Belle Gates really short on money?”
Sarah’s glare could have frozen him in place, but she kept her tone sweet. “I didn’t bring any money today. How about it?”
Sean chuckled, recognizing her game but not minding. He handed her the 20 dollars without protest.
“Alright,” he said, “everyone ready? Let’s head to Sunago!”
Meanwhile, across the street from Sunago Restaurant, the grand Rainville Hotel loomed—a seven-story behemoth standing in stark contrast to the modest Sunago. The hotel’s lavish exterior made it clear that it catered to an entirely different clientele. Three years ago, Gerard Zahn had booked the entire hotel for a grand college entrance celebration for his daughter, Kelly, spending a staggering 30 thousand dollars to reserve the venue.
Gerard and Maria stood outside the hotel, greeting guests with broad smiles. As they waved to Gordon and Hilda across the street, Maria couldn’t help but call out.
“Gordon, Hilda! Don’t wait here anymore! Carlisle didn’t qualify for college. You should come over to Kelly’s celebration instead! And don’t worry about the congratulatory money—just come!”
Her voice rang with a mix of pride and smugness, as though she knew that the grand event she was hosting would eclipse anything Carlisle’s celebration could offer.
