All the students stood frozen in place, completely dumbfounded.
Lucas's brain felt like it had short-circuited. He simply couldn't process what he was seeing — the classmate he once looked down on, the one he'd mocked as a failure, was now sitting behind the wheel of a Bugatti Chiron worth over 600,000.
What kind of concept was that?
Even wealthy people didn't usually let their cars account for more than a small fraction of their assets.To own — and drive — a 600,000-dollar supercar meant Jason Carter's total net worth had to be astronomical.
The thought made Lucas's scalp tingle. The gap between them was beyond comprehension, beyond even jealousy — it was pure despair.
Just then, Tanya Covell stepped forward. Tilting her head slightly, she gave a bright, teasing smile."I think I understand now why Mr. Bo calls you 'Young Master Carter.'" Her voice was soft and flirtatious. "May I call you that too, Young Master Carter?"
Lucas's vision went black for a moment, his mind buzzing with disbelief.
The main reason he'd arranged this whole hometown gathering — besides showing off — had been Tanya.
He'd personally driven to the station to pick her up, bought her coffee, pulled out chairs, opened doors — practically treating her like royalty.And his efforts hadn't been for nothing. Tanya's attitude toward him had been noticeably warmer than toward other guys.
But despite all that, she'd still kept him at arm's length — a little aloof, a little proud, just enough to make him think he had to earn her favor.
He hadn't minded that before. In fact, it made her seem more valuable — conquering her would be a satisfying challenge.
But now, watching Tanya lean toward Jason with that gentle, sugary tone she'd never once used with him, something inside Lucas cracked.
Jason hadn't even paid her any special attention all afternoon.He'd barely said a word to her.
Yet Tanya was being cute, attentive, and completely engaged — as if the ice queen had suddenly melted into spring.
The other students exchanged knowing glances.It was obvious what was happening — Tanya Covell was trying to cozy up to Jason Carter.
And no one could really blame her.
Jason wasn't just handsome — he was devastatingly so — and now he was rich beyond imagination. A man like that was a magnet for women.
One of the girls sitting near Ava Summers leaned in and whispered, "Her face changes faster than flipping a page."
Ava gave her friend a warning glance and said quietly, "Don't gossip about others. It's not classy."
Meanwhile, Jason lowered his car window halfway, his tone calm but distant."There's no need for that," he said. "Just call me Jason. It's not good to park here too long — we should get moving. Check if everyone has a seat; if not, we'll call another car. Oh, and… I forgot to ask — which amusement park are we heading to?"
Tanya's eyes lit up, eager to answer first. "Queen Park Amusement Park. We'll meet at the entrance."
Jason froze for half a second. Queen Park?
That was the amusement park he had just recently acquired through one of his investment firms.
He chuckled inwardly. So it wasn't really a coincidence after all — Queen was the largest and most popular amusement park in the region. It made sense they'd pick it.
Still, the irony wasn't lost on him.
If only Tanya — and the others — knew that the amusement park they were so excited to visit…belonged to him.
And as for Tanya?
Her sudden sweetness didn't impress him in the least.Her earlier attitude — cold toward him when she thought he was "ordinary," and fawning the moment she saw his wealth — had already shattered whatever faint impression he'd once had of her.
To Jason, she was just another gold-digger — shallow, predictable, and unworthy even of being a passing distraction.
He decided he'd gain whatever favorability he could for the system's sake — and then never see her again.
Her kind of beauty was fleeting.And Jason Carter no longer cared for illusions.
"Alright, then we'll see you at Queen Park," Jason said as he saw Darek arranging everyone into cars and confirming there were enough seats.
He started up the Bugatti Chiron, its beastly roar echoing through the parking lot. Tanya Covell's breath visibly quickened; with a cute, almost childish wave toward Jason, she acted sweeter than she had at any point earlier in the day.
That gentle, adorable side?Lucas had never seen it from her — and his face instantly darkened.
Jealousy burned through him.He almost refused to open the passenger door he had saved for Tanya, hoping she'd notice his sour mood and treat him better.
But Tanya didn't even look in his direction.
She walked straight to Darek's SUV instead, asked if there was an empty seat, and once she confirmed it, she climbed in cheerfully.The moment she sat down, she started asking about Jason.
Lucas's face went red with humiliation.Was this real?Was this the same Tanya who had acted above everyone just minutes ago?
He gripped his steering wheel so hard his knuckles turned white. On the drive over, he nearly snapped — his frustration bubbling into near road rage.
The classmates riding with him were terrified. Every time he braked, they thought he'd ram the car in front.They silently swore they'd never ride back with him.
Inside the Bugatti, Ethan let out a sigh.
"I told you, man — who can out-show-off you? The moment you pulled up in a 600,000-dollar supercar, everyone's eyes cleared up. Even school beauty Tanya Covell did a complete U-turn."
Jason chuckled."I wasn't trying to show off. I just bought the car recently and wanted to drive it. If I wanted to show off… trust me, I wouldn't have brought just one car. I'd bring a whole convoy."
Ethan almost choked.When Jason put it like that… it actually made sense.
What everyone else thought was flaunting was, for Jason, just daily life.
After that, Jason called Olivia (his secretary) and told her to contact Queen Park to prepare their attraction schedule — without disrupting normal guests.
Ethan thought Jason was simply using money to "pull strings."He didn't realize Jason was literally exercising his authority as the owner of the entire amusement park.
Over half an hour later, they arrived.With preparations already in place, Jason didn't even need to find parking — the manager and uniformed valets were already waiting respectfully at the gate.
Ethan still assumed it was "rich-person privileges."
A few minutes later, Darek, Lucas, Tanya, Ava Summers, and the others arrived.
The moment Tanya got out, she walked straight over to Jason, standing beside him like an obedient kitten.
Lucas nearly cracked a tooth from clenching his jaw so hard.
Trying to regain some pride, he forced a smile.
"I already made arrangements. Just follow me — we can skip the lines."
He still thought he had a chance to salvage some dignity.
Maybe competence and "connections" could earn him admiration.Maybe Tanya would see that he also had value.
The park manager next to Jason heard Lucas talking and looked confused for a brief moment — but when Jason didn't contradict him, the manager simply smiled politely.
"Welcome, everyone. Right this way. I'll make the arrangements for your group."
Lucas froze.From the manager's suit and demeanor… he looked like someone very high up.But Lucas's "friend" was only a marketing assistant manager.How could he call someone of this level?
Lucas puffed up his chest and said proudly,"Thank you, Manager. How should we address you?"
"No need to be formal. Just call me Manager," the manager replied with a courteous tone.
His expression remained polite — after all, this was the boss's classmate.
Manager led them through the gates, and at every attraction, they were ushered in with zero waiting.
The students were blown away.
Lucas stood even straighter, acting like it was all thanks to him."I told you — connections matter. Luckily, I have some at Queen Park."
But by the second and third attraction, Manager was still accompanying them personally, clearing the path.
Darek's suspicion was growing.He leaned toward Ethan and whispered:
"This is too high-level. Lucas's connections can't possibly pull this off… right?"
Ethan chuckled."Manager walked straight up to greet Jason the moment he stepped out of the car."
Darek blinked.
Then everything clicked.
He turned to look at Lucas again…
And the expression he gave him was the same look one gives a clown performing on an empty stage — loud, desperate, and utterly unaware of reality.
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