Back then, No. 1 High School divided classes based on the high school entrance exam rankings. Kian Hawthorne was the number one student in Class One.
During the winter break of his freshman year, he wanted to go on a trip with Selene Shaw, Theodore Jennings, and the others. His father refused and set a condition: if he could rank first in his grade on the final exams, he would be allowed to go.
He thought it would be a breeze, but to his surprise, he only came in second. First place went to a boy in Class Two—the one who always wore a mask and read extracurricular books during lessons.
That was the first time he had ever viewed someone as a rival.
Kian snapped out of his memories and looked at the man in front of him. The other’s looks and aura stirred his competitive spirit.
He extended his hand, his grip neither too light nor too heavy. "Old classmate, where are you working now?"
"Aethel Capital, fund manager," Josh Sterling smiled faintly, seemingly nonchalant.
Kian released his hand and turned to Quentin Sinclair. "Uncle Quentin, how are you feeling?"
After spending over half an hour in the hospital room, Kian found he could barely get a word in. Josh seemed very close to Leah Sinclair, and even Quentin was extremely warm toward him.
Checking his watch, Kian said to Leah, "Leah, I have a business dinner tonight. I need to head back first."
"Alright, I’ll walk you out."
The moment Leah stood up, her hand was enveloped in Kian’s palm.
"Since we can’t have dinner together tonight, walk me downstairs," Kian said.
Leah found it baffling. He had never shown affection in front of others before.
With his arm around Leah’s waist, Kian walked out of the ward. Before entering the elevator, he caught a glimpse of Ash Sinclair and Josh leaving the room as well.
The two men glanced in their direction. Kian deliberately tightened his grip around her and whispered close to her ear, "Let’s go grab dinner."
Leah subconsciously leaned away. "Didn’t you say you had a business dinner?"
"I was lying to your brother." He smiled. "I just want to have dinner with you."
Such unprovoked attentiveness made Leah suspect he had completely lost his mind today.
From a distance, Ash watched Kian holding Leah and said resentfully, "That scumbag. I should have stopped Leah from marrying him!"
Josh didn’t reply.
"But Leah loved him. I had no choice," Ash added.
Josh remained silent.
Suddenly, Ash said, "Let’s follow them."
"Follow them for what?" Josh asked.
"I have a feeling Kian is going to pull something today. He just got back from Silvane with Selene, and I’m worried..." Ash trailed off.
Josh understood. Ash was worried Kian would lay his cards on the table when Leah was completely unprepared.
"Alright," Josh agreed.
At the Marina Restaurant.
"Are you close with that Josh Sterling?" Kian suddenly asked halfway through their meal.
"I just met him a few days ago. He recently returned from abroad," Leah replied evenly.
"What does he do?"
"He sells fund products." Leah paused. "If you ever want to buy funds, you can go to him."
Kian continued cutting his steak. "In the future, try to associate more with people of a higher caliber," he said nonchalantly.
Leah pursed her lips and fell silent.
"What, are you still angry?" Kian asked. "To appease you, I even replaced my chief secretary. The group has been a mess these past two days."
Leah furrowed her brows. "When did I ever force you to replace your secretary? Who you hire has nothing to do with me."
Seeing her slight frown, Kian actually found her angry expression quite cute.
"Your English is pretty good. For someone who has never studied abroad, it’s considered a high level," Kian said.
Hearing the phrase "never studied abroad," Leah felt he was taking a veiled shot at her, implying she was inferior to Selene.
This meal was truly unbearable. It was both expensive and terrible. She missed that roadside Michelin-starred chicken hotpot.
The main courses had been served. While waiting for dessert, Kian received a phone call, and his expression darkened.
Leah vaguely overheard the person on the line mentioning rumors, stock prices, and the name "Miss Shaw."
After hanging up, Kian remained silent for a long while, seemingly lost in thought. Finally, he looked at her and spoke slowly.
"Leah, the group’s PR department just called. We have a small problem and might need you to post a few messages on X to clear things up."
Leah frowned. "Your group’s affairs? What does that have to do with me?"
Kian’s voice lowered. "Someone is maliciously hyping up a scandal between Selene and me. It’s mostly stemming from that incident in Silvane."
Leah understood.
He had helped relocate the grave of Selene’s father and even personally acted as a pallbearer, which was broadcast on television. Outsiders were saying that he and Selene were in a common-law marriage and that he had officiated the family memorial in the capacity of a son-in-law.
How laughable.
"And how does this concern me?" Leah turned her gaze toward the window.
"This issue has already affected the company’s stock price. The PR department suggested that you post a few messages on X to clarify the situation. Just say you were also in Silvane those few days, accompanying me."
"Sorry, I don’t like lying," Leah said, staring at the dark, heavy surface of the sea in the distance. "When you were acting as a pallbearer for Selene’s father, I was in Indrah finding life-saving medicine for my uncle."
Kian was stunned. "You went to Indrah? By yourself?"
Leah turned back to him and replied coldly, "Is that not allowed? Did you think I was incapable of doing anything without you?"
Choked by her words, Kian felt a flash of impatience and steered the topic back. "The PR department will draft this post for you. You just need to lift a finger and hit send."
Leah pressed her lips together without a word, staring fixedly at him.
"And the price?" she asked.
"The price? What price?"
"Everything comes with a price." Leah paused. "You maintain your public image, Senior Shaw keeps her pristine reputation, and I, having done absolutely nothing wrong, am forced to swallow a bitter pill. Is my tolerance free?"
Kian scoffed and slowly leaned in close. "Mrs. Hawthorne, you seem to have finally wised up."
Leah returned his gaze calmly.
He leaned back in his seat. "What do you want?"
"Have the bank grant my brother’s company a thirty-million credit line. Now. Immediately."
"Fine, I’ll make a call."
He picked up his phone and called a bank manager. In less than ten minutes, the two parties reached an agreement.
After hanging up, Kian said, "It’s done. Tomorrow morning, your brother will get the credit line."
Leah didn’t dawdle. "Have the PR department send the draft over."
Soon, the PR draft was sent to her phone. Leah copied, pasted, and sent it mindlessly.
Kian watched his little wife with a meaningful gaze. He had always thought she was just a child.
"Where do you want to go for a walk after we eat? I’ll accompany you," Kian offered gently.
After sending that post on X, Leah’s phone buzzed continuously.
Her mood had completely tanked.
"I just want to be alone for a while." She stood up. "Don’t follow me."
She grabbed her bag and walked out.
He really didn’t follow her.
In a corner of the restaurant, Ash wanted to rush over, but Josh held him down firmly.
"He definitely said something to Leah!" Ash gritted his teeth.
"What if they were just arguing? Rushing over will only make things worse."
"I can’t let this slide! Why did Leah ever marry such a scumbag?"
Josh didn’t say anything, but the grip on Ash’s arm didn’t loosen.
After a while, Kian stood up, straightened his suit, and walked out of the restaurant with debonair grace.
Only then did Josh let go.