On the day of the graduation exhibition, a large crowd gathered in City N. Company recruiters, local residents, and citizens flooded the venue-many of them bringing their children along. After all, this was a top-tier art academy, a perfect place for cultural enrichment and leisure.
The day before, Lillian had spent nearly all her time at the exhibition, preparing alongside her classmates.
She headed to the restroom to apply some light makeup.
Just as she stepped into a stall, she overheard a conversation.
“Why is she trying so hard? Whatever she wants, Conrad would just hand it to her anyway. Did she really have to compete with us for this spot?”
“That’s not entirely fair. She’s actually really talented. I saw her work-it’s incredible.”
Only someone who had truly lived through something could create art that shattered and rebuilt itself so vividly.
“If she’s so great, Conrad should just set up a company for her. I just want to compete in peace. Ugh, what bad luck.”
The restroom door suddenly swung open.
Seeing Lillian appear out of nowhere, the girls froze in panic, their faces turning pale.
They were terrified that offending her might cost them their diplomas.
But Lillian simply walked past them, wiped her hands dry, and made her way to the door.
“Lillian…”
Lillian tilted her head slightly but said nothing, then left.
“What do we do now? You’re the one who said all that-now we’re screwed.”
“Should I go apologize? Do you think she’ll forgive me?” The girl’s voice wavered, almost in tears.
“Forget it. Lillian isn’t that kind of person. And it’s not like she chose to be with Conrad. You all know what happened to her family.”
Lillian had already braced herself for the rumors that would follow after exposing Helen.
So hearing them talk like this didn’t faze her much.
What she didn’t expect was running into Robert today.
He was probably here with some friends.
He looked smug and full of himself, but when his gaze met Lillian’s, he gave her a once-over, sneered, and scoffed through his nose.
“Damn, that girl is pretty. Robert, look!”
“What’s there to look at? You call that pretty? She’s just trash I threw away.”
The group instantly turned to stare at Robert.
“Wait… You know her?”
“Yeah. She used to be my neighbor back home. We were set up for a blind date once. But I heard she was messing around with rich guys in college-like hell I’d go for a girl like that. It’s not like I can’t find someone better.”
“But getting into the Thomas Family Hospital changes things, doesn’t it? Hold on… Neighbor? Wait, you’re talking about Lillian?! You were set up with Lillian?!”
Back when Helen had fallen out with John, she had gone to Boyd Town looking for someone to help shift the online narrative in her favor. That led her straight to Robert’s family.
Unfortunately for her, Robert’s family had no real influence. No matter how much money Helen spent, they couldn’t stir up enough online traction to make a difference.
Still, Robert’s family took the money and even recorded an interview, but it barely made a ripple.
Robert, however, had posted the interview on his personal social media.
Now, fresh out of school and working at Thomas Family Hospital, he strutted around campus like he owned the place.
His peers clung to him, hoping he could pull some strings for them in the future.
And lately, with all the attention, he had let it get to his head.
So, boasting about how he had “dumped” Lillian felt like the ultimate flex.
Since none of them bothered lowering their voices, plenty of students overheard the conversation.
Their curiosity flared.
Wait… is this for real?
Then when exactly did Lillian get involved with Conrad?
She seriously had a thing for this guy?
“Oh? You really think Lillian would be into you?”
A disdainful male voice rang out from behind.
Robert’s expression darkened. He turned his head sharply. “What? You got a problem?”
But the moment he turned, he froze in place.
From his height, all he could see was the other man’s chest.
A well-tailored dress shirt, paired with a jacket draped over his arm.
The man leaned down slightly, bringing his face closer as he looked Robert up and down like he was inspecting a bug.
“George, is this guy from your hospital? Did he eat bear gall and leopard guts for breakfast, or did he escape from the psych ward? I’ve been trying to figure out what exactly is wrong with him to make him talk such nonsense.” Hogan rubbed his chin thoughtfully, resting a hand on Gordon’s shoulder. “Tell me, which one seems more likely?”
Gordon barely spared Robert a glance, his disgust barely concealed. “Well, running his mouth isn’t illegal, so…”
George frowned at Robert. “Oh, you’re that guy who got shoved into my hospital through connections, huh?”
Robert’s face turned ashen. The classmates who had come with him immediately scattered, afraid of getting caught up in his mess.
But the fact that Robert had been forcefully placed into the hospital? That was no longer just a rumor-it was confirmed.
“Whatever-your-name-is, yeah? You don’t need to bother showing up at my hospital anymore.” George dismissed him without a second thought and started walking toward Lillian.
Melissa was definitely coming today, and he had better things to do than waste time on scum like Robert.
“Dr. George! Dr. George!” Robert hurried after him, lowering his voice. “I was placed there by Mr. Conrad. Even if you don’t respect me, you should at least respect him. My family has already sent out the invitations-everyone knows I’m going to Thomas Family Hospital.”
“Oh?” Lionel suddenly interjected, his voice laced with amusement. “Does Conrad know you’ve been running your mouth like this? Taking his money and still stirring up trouble?”
Lionel brushed past Robert with a look of sheer arrogance, while Gordon didn’t even spare him another glance-just the sight of Robert was enough to make him nauseous.
That innate arrogance among the privileged-the kind Robert both envied and despised-was on full display.
People like them, born into wealth, stood at heights they could never reach, no matter how hard they tried.
His poverty drove him mad.
His jealousy burned like acid.
But fear kept him in check. Fear of losing the benefits right in front of him.
Just as he was about to make another move, Hogan patted his shoulder with a half-smirk. “If you have even a shred of intelligence left, pack your things and get the hell back to your hometown. Otherwise, in City N, I’m afraid you won’t just lose your job as a doctor-you might not even get to keep your life.”
The color drained from Robert’s face.
He didn’t dare take another step forward.
His classmates, who had once clustered around him, now whispered amongst themselves, their expressions filled with disdain.
Robert couldn’t handle the humiliation.
Why the hell do rich people get everything?
Why does society bend over backward for them, handing them all the resources?
Even beautiful women-they can just buy them like commodities.
And what about people like him? Even when they loved with all their heart, it was never enough.
These women were so greedy. Why couldn’t they see him?
Robert fled in disgrace.
But deep down, he felt an overwhelming sense of relief-thank God Conrad hadn’t been here today.
Lillian hadn’t expected them to show up.
Gordon glanced at her artwork. “When does the competition start?”
“In about half an hour.”
The large exhibition hall was filled with creative concepts and artistic expressions.
Gordon examined Lillian’s piece and asked in a low voice, “Feeling any better?”
“Not bad,” Lillian answered casually.
“How are things between you and Conrad lately?”
“Which aspect are you asking about?”
Gordon was momentarily speechless. “Forget it.”
She seemed fine now-no longer carrying that defeated look from before. That was enough for him.
Just then, Melissa arrived, holding a bouquet of flowers.
“What are you doing here?” Her smile froze the moment she saw them.
George had been waiting for her. Hands in his pockets, he smirked. “You can be here, but I can’t?”
Melissa scoffed. “Four men and not a single one of you thought to bring flowers? And you call yourselves the most eligible bachelors? Please.”