Chapter 28: 28. Something Wrong

Amity, who greeted Calvin after the presentation, looked awkward when Calvin responded with irritation.

"I didn’t mean it that way, Calvin. I just wanted to apologize! I didn’t mean to offend you," she said.

Calvin looked at Amity’s face. She truly didn’t seem like she was trying to offend him. His mood was already bad because of Julia, and without realizing it, he had taken it out on Amity.

"I’m sorry too, Amity. Let’s just drop the subject," Calvin replied.

Amity nodded, then glanced at Calvin hesitantly.

"I hope you win," she said.

"Thank you."

"Hmm…"

"Are you… okay?" Calvin asked.

"No, I’m not okay. But I’ll try to be," she replied with a sad expression.

"Is your fiancé treating you badly? Is he being rough with you?" Calvin asked, feeling genuinely concerned.

"No, the only thing that disgusts me is his arrogance," she admitted.

"At least he has plenty of things to be arrogant about. You won’t lack anything if you’re with him," Calvin replied.

"Material wealth isn’t a guarantee of happiness. All my life, I’ve had everything handed to me easily. But now, I realize that everything comes at the cost of my freedom. I don’t even have the right to choose my own path," Amity said.

Calvin sighed. He was beginning to understand the difficult situation Amity was in. But despite all her complaints, there was nothing he could do to help. He was just an outsider—he wasn’t anyone important.

"Ah, never mind. I should get going, Calvin. William will be presenting soon, and I want to watch it," Amity said.

"Okay."

Calvin smiled as Amity walked away, leaving him watching her retreating figure.

Calvin kept his eyes on Amity’s back as she disappeared into the crowd, leaving him with a mix of emotions. Something inside him felt heavy, like an inexplicable burden. He wanted to do something for Amity, to help her, but he knew he was just a poor man.

***

The business proposal competition continued. Just as Amity had said, William arrived and began his presentation. Calvin, however, wasn’t interested in what he was saying. He assumed that, no matter what William presented, he would likely win. Even the dean of the faculty was strongly supporting him.

While waiting for the event to conclude and the winners to be announced, Evans went to the food court near the campus. The area was noticeably more crowded than usual. There were even a few employees from Stuard Corporation having their meals there.

"I just found out what Mr. Lincoln looks like. I’ve never been to the headquarters before!" one staff member said.

"Same here! But honestly, he looks pretty normal. There were rumors that he’s really handsome!" another staff member responded.

"Looks don’t matter as long as he’s rich!" a female employee chimed in.

"You’re right! I also heard a rumor that Mr. Lincoln is still single. They say he’s too busy running his business to have time for marriage. Why don’t you try approaching him?" her friend teased.

"Hey, don’t joke like that!"

"Why not?"

"Haven’t you heard the rumors?"

"What rumors?"

"People say that he once had a relationship with a woman who wasn’t from the elite class. But the relationship ended! I’m sure the Stuard family is very picky when it comes to choosing a daughter-in-law," the other employee explained.

Meanwhile, Calvin, who was sitting not far from them, overheard the conversation. He raised an eyebrow, finding the story oddly similar to what his mother had gone through.

"Lincoln Stuard, huh?" Calvin muttered softly.

A sense of unease crept into him. It was possible that the gossip among the staff from Stuard Corporation was about his mother and father. But he was doubtful—how could his mother have been involved with a man so incredibly wealthy, one of the richest in the country?

"If that's true, then that would make me an heir to a conglomerate!" Calvin chuckled to himself, amused by the sheer absurdity of his own thoughts.

He continued eating, keeping his composure until someone called out to him.

"So, you’re here?" his mentor, Bastian, greeted.

"You're here too? I thought you weren’t coming! How did you know I was here?"

"I ran into Andreas in the seminar room. He said you were taking a break. Where else would you be if not here?" Bastian replied.

"Yeah, you’re right." Calvin grinned.

"So, how did everything go?"

"Not bad. Hmm… thanks for your guidance. If I win, I’ll treat you to a drink!"

"Not again! You can’t even hold your liquor! I don’t want to go through the trouble of taking you home again!" Bastian laughed.

"Ah, my bad! Sorry for troubling you last time."

"No worries, don’t sweat it. So, do you really live alone?"

"Yeah."

"I saw a picture of a woman near your bed. Is she your mother?"

"Yes."

"And where’s your father? Is he the man you told me about before?"

"Exactly."

"Unbelievable! That man is terrible! Your mother is beautiful—how could any man abandon his wife and child?" Bastian exclaimed in frustration.

"Yeah, and his name is quite something too."

"You know your father’s name?"

"Yeah, my mom told me. But it’s ridiculous."

"Why ridiculous?"

"Because his name is the same as today’s guest judge!"

"What?"

"Lincoln Stuard! My father’s name is Lincoln Stuard too. Crazy, right? It’s the same as that billionaire’s name. But there’s no way it’s him! My mom could never have known a man as rich as he is!" Calvin scoffed.

It all seemed ridiculous to Calvin, but not to Bastian. His mentor turned pale, staring at Calvin in utter disbelief.