"Are you kidding?”
"What, just because you threw on an administrative jacket and slicked your hair to the side, you think you’re part of the system now?"
"If that’s the case, I’ll buy a dragon robe and declare myself emperor!"
Rowan was the first to crack up, his laughter echoing around us.
See? They wouldn’t believe me.
I smiled helplessly, too tired to argue.
Just then, someone piped up, "Boss Bennett, when are we heading in? Why are we still standing out here?"
"You really have no idea where we are, do you?"
"This is Evergreen Pavilion. Even with Boss Bennett’s status, we still have to make a reservation and wait in line."
"Just bringing us here is already proof of his connections."
Rowan scoffed. "Evergreen Pavilion? What’s so special about it?"
"I’ve been away for a while and just got back. I don’t know much about these places," the person pressed on.
It was the perfect moment for Thorne to show off, so Rowan wisely shut his mouth.
Thorne took a slow drag from his cigarette, his lips curling into a smug smile as he leaned against his Bugatti Veyron.
"Evergreen Pavilion isn’t exactly open to the public," he drawled.
"It was built to entertain important guests of the owner. Sometimes, when the city government is handling major investment deals, they hold their meetings here."
"Forget about me, even my father isn’t qualified to get a membership card for this place."
As he spoke, he cast me a knowing glance, the smirk never leaving his face.
"The only reason I could come today is that Lilith lent me her membership card. Otherwise, even with my father’s status, we wouldn’t have stood a chance of getting in."
"What?!"
"Lilith actually lent you something that important?"
"Boss, if you put in just a little more effort, I swear, you and Lilith might really have a shot!"
Rowan exaggerated his reaction, his voice full of mock enthusiasm.
I knew they were saying this just to get a rise out of me, but I had no interest in arguing anymore.
"I hope so. I’ll keep trying."
Thorne flashed a modest smile before gazing into the distance as if lost in thought.
"You guys probably don’t realize this, but the owner of this place is ridiculously well-connected. They even have ties in Washington, saying they have access to the highest levels of power wouldn’t be an exaggeration. If I could just get in touch with them, my family’s business could reach an entirely new level."
"The owner’s connections aren’t that impressive," I said casually.
"Oh? And you’d know that how?"
His smirk deepened. "Come on, Cassius. If you actually knew the owner of this place, you wouldn’t be dressed like that or pulling up in a cab."
"At least make your lies a little more convincing."
Thorne cast me a sideways glance, his expression unreadable.
"Cassius, if the owner ever heard you running your mouth like this, a single word from them could make sure you never worked a day in this country again. Do you even have the slightest clue how high society operates?"
"Boss, you already said it’s high society," Rowan sneered. "How could someone like him possibly understand?"
I exhaled a quiet sigh and stepped aside, lighting a cigarette.
Their world was small, their perspectives even smaller. They could only believe what was within their reach.
My job wasn’t exactly classified, but it wasn’t something they’d ever hear about in their circles. With their social standing, they had no way of knowing who I really was.
I wasn’t interested in arguing. I just wanted to get through this gathering and leave, preferably never seeing them again.
Just then, a pink Maserati purred to a stop.
The door swung open and a woman stepped out, her long, slender legs wrapped in sheer black stockings.
Even Thorne, usually so composed, had his attention stolen in an instant.
"Ivy Anderson, you’re here too?"
"I thought you wouldn’t have time to come."
