Jack looked around excitedly.
"As expected we got the spotlight of today's party."
He picked up a glass of orange juice to drink.
A moment later after teast juice he made a disappointed face.
"Even the taste of juice tastes normal compared to my house."
Ryan chuckled.
"Yeah, it's normal to say that for someone who came from one of 4 great families in the entire country."
Jack looked offended.
"I'll tease you when you have free time."
Ryan laughed helplessly before taking a glass of apple juice.
Ryan looks at the front of his table, their one table at the right corner. There some boys are drinking wine.
Jack noticed him where he was looking.
He said, "it's normal here."
"Yes, I know." He replied he was not shocked.
It was a nightclub that was only open for under age students. Wine is forbidden here, you will only get some soft drinks. It is popular among the students because it gives a real nightclub vibe.
Government rules only apply on the outer circle of this Aurora Lounge, inside the inner(private room) circle you can drink wine.
It is an illegal activity and the government cannot touch them because the owner of these clubs(Aurora Lounge) was a cousin of Ethan Vale.
Ryan didn't look surprised.
This wasn't the first time powerful families had quietly bent the rules.
His attention shifted elsewhere not far away...
Lucas stood with Adrian, several senior students surrounded them and introducing themselves one after another.
Adrian introduced Lucas to other.
"Everyone, this is Lucas Reed. My younger brother."
One by one, they greeted Lucas.
"Nice to meet you."
"So you're the Reed family's biological son."
"I've heard about you."
Lucas politely shook hands with each of them.
"It's nice to meet you too."
Everything seemed friendly.
Until one senior smiled and asked,
"So... which business did your family own before the Reed family found you?"
The surrounding students became quiet.
Lucas know what he trying to say but he answered honestly him.
"I grew up in orphanage."
Another senior laughed lightly.
"Orphanage?"
"I heard you lived in a small apartment."
Someone else added with a smirk,
"That must be a huge change."
"I guess you're still getting used to luxury."
A few students chuckled.
The words sounded harmless...
But everyone understood they were mocking Lucas's background.
Lucas remained calm.
"I am."
"I've never denied where I came from."
His answer made several students pause and one who humiliating him now trying to find a word to say.
Instead of becoming embarrassed...He answered confidently.
The first senior wasn't ready to stop. He smiled again and look at into his eyes.
"Then tell us."
"Can you even tell the difference between a dog rise by rich family and a dog rise on roadside?"
More laughter followed.
Adrian stood nearby, holding a glass of juice.
He didn't join the mockery and he looking at Lucas with cold eyes.
But...
He also made no attempt to stop it.
He simply watched.
As though waiting to see how Lucas would respond.
Lucas took a slow breath.
Just as he was about to answer—
A familiar voice interrupted.
"I can."
Everyone turned around.
Ryan walked toward the group with Jack beside him.
A relaxed smile rested on Ryan's face.
He looked at the senior student.
"And I can also tell the difference between curiosity.....and bad manners."
The smiles on several faces disappeared and look away.
The senior frowned and asked.
"And who are you?"
Ryan calmly extended his hand slowly.
"Ryan Carter, only son of Carters."
The senior's expression changed slightly.
The Carter family wasn't among the top business families in the country but they were still respected entrepreneurs and their worth was around 100 million. They're same level as that senior family.
Ryan continued talk calmly walked towards the senior.
"You asked Lucas about his past. How about I ask you something?"
The senior folded his arms and look at him. His face was calm but inside little bit angry in his eyes.
"Go ahead." He said.
Ryan smiled faintly then asked in respectful way.
"If your family's wealth disappeared tomorrow...Would your abilities disappear too?"
The question caught everyone off guard.
No one able answered that question.
Ryan looked around the group they'll not making eyes contact with him and looking away. A moment ago these people are mocking Lucas but now they're silent.
Then he turned back again towards the that senior.
"A person's background isn't an achievement."
"It's simply where they started."
"What truly matters is what they build themselves."
Silence filled the whole private room.
Jack couldn't help smiling.
'There he goes...This guy really now how handle the situation.' he thought.
The senior clicked his tongue.
"You're pretty bold for a freshman."
Ryan shrugged.
"Confidence isn't limited by age."
For a brief moment...
Neither side spoke and they are looking at each other eyes.
Finally, another senior laughed awkwardly.
"Come on. We were only joking."
Another one also trying to calm down the situation.
"Don't spoil your mood guys. Let's enjoy the party"
Ryan turned back and walked towards the Lucas before leaving he said.
"I was just joking too; there's no need to take it seriously."
Another senior saw him leaving and thaught, 'Are you joking? Seeing both of them it feels like a fight was about to break out here.'
The atmosphere slowly relaxed.
The earlier tension disappeared as conversations resumed.
Lucas looked toward Ryan and said in soft voice.
"...Thanks."
This was someone was standing for him in his whole life because he was living life of orphan where he need fight other just for survive.
Ryan gave a small smiled.
"There no need to formally. We're friends after all."
Jack stepped forward and wrapped an arm around both of them.
"Exactly. Friends don't let friends fight alone."
Lucas laugh genuinely first time when he entered this high class society.
He truly felt he belonged somewhere.
Not because of the Reed family.
Not because of his surname.
But because he had found people willing to stand beside him.
Adrian quietly watched the three freshmen laughing together.
A faint smile appeared on his face once more.
"Ryan Carter...You really are becoming an unpredictable variable."
Senior came their who about to start fight with Ryan.
"Yes, he changed."
He lifted his glass. His expression remained calm.
But behind that gentle smile...
His thoughts were impossible to read.