Chapter 46 Partial Teacher

Chapter 46 Partial Teacher

Owen's words shocked everyone present, but what shocked them even more was when the waiter brought over the card reader and the transaction went through successfully.

That bottle of red wine was clearly expensive, but Owen didn't even frown when swiping his card.

"But us poor folks aren't that generous. So everyone who looked down on our Gabriel, remember to split the bill with him for those few bites you ate, okay? After all, wouldn't it be even more embarrassing to be treated by someone too poor to afford a meal?"

The room remained silent, everyone's faces filled with awkwardness, though some were clearly unhappy about it.

They all knew Gabriel's background well, but today they'd been humiliated because of him. Still, no matter how upset they were, no one could say anything at this moment.

Owen had no intention of letting it go. He tapped the wine bottle and told the waiter, "Pour some wine for these wealthy folks."

"Oh, and even though this wine only costs a bit over three hundred thousand, you'll need to split that too."

Over three hundred thousand?

Just as the waiter reached Max, he quickly covered his wine glass, stammering, "I, I don't like red wine."

Right after, several classmates close to him also blocked their glasses.

Owen snorted but said nothing, smiling as he looked at Coach Woods. "Then pour some for the coach."

Coach Woods froze and quickly said, "I, I also—"

"It's okay, Coach, this one's on me," Owen smiled. "We'll need you to look after Gabriel from now on."

Then he had the waiter pour wine for the few people who hadn't mocked Gabriel earlier.

After all, he understood why Evelyn came today—not just to stand up for Gabriel, but to help him establish himself at school going forward. So, intimidate those who need intimidating, win over those who need winning over. Owen was quite skilled at this, having grown up watching his brother, that business genius.

The three-hundred-thousand-plus bottle of wine truly was the restaurant's treasure. As soon as it was poured, the aroma filled the air. Not to mention the blissful expressions on those who tasted it—making those who missed out incredibly jealous, regretting their big mouths and this lost opportunity.

Many people glanced resentfully at Max, though they said nothing.

But Max couldn't sit still. He shouted indignantly, "Who wants your treat? I said I'd pay, so I'll pay. Who can't afford a bottle of wine?"

He waved his credit card—after all, Owen had already paid.

The waiter indeed didn't take his card, but what she said next was equally unexpected.

The waiter said, "I'm sorry, sir, but our reserve wines can only be purchased by top-tier VIP members. You're not eligible to purchase them."

Everyone's expression changed, and then they saw the waiter walk respectfully to Owen's side, asking, "Mr. Dupont, is there anything else you need?"

Only then did they realize that from the beginning, the waiter had only been communicating with and serving Owen, and she even knew his last name.

"Wait, Dupont—" someone suddenly exclaimed, then looked at their companion in disbelief, muttering softly, "It can't be that Dupont, right?"

Dupont Corporation in California was a force to be reckoned with.

Max refused to believe Gabriel could know anyone from Dupont Corporation. He protested, "I eat at your restaurant all the time. Why can he buy it?"

The waiter frowned, "This Mr. Dupont's brother, Jack Dupont, is not only a super VIP at our restaurant but also a longtime friend of our owner."

The name Jack Dupont caused everyone to gasp in surprise.

It really was that Dupont Corporation!

Many people's attitudes toward Owen immediately changed. Even their posture shifted toward him as they wondered how to curry favor with him.

Max regretted it too, but still stubbornly said, "Hmph, I thought it was someone special. He's just relying on his rich brother. It's not even his own card..."

Then he glanced at Evelyn and Christopher, who was attentively pouring wine for Evelyn, and said sarcastically, "Man, Gabriel, I really envy you. You have such a great sister."

"I don't have a sister. Our family can't rely on a sister for business marriages—oh wait, that's not right. With your family background, we can't use a fancy word like marriage alliance. We should say—seducing."

"You're so lucky. With your sister tangled up with two guys at once, you can swipe cards anywhere. Next time we play ball, bring your sister along. You might make it big before you even graduate."

Gabriel angrily slammed his fist on the table and stood up to hit him, but Coach Woods grabbed him.

"Football relies on team effort, never on individual heroism. You all must remember this," he scolded the team members with a serious face. His tone seemed fair, but every word was directed at Gabriel. "I know some students can't immediately fit into the group and feel wronged and resentful, but you should reflect on whether there's a problem with your own personality, rather than constantly blaming others for favoritism..."

Evelyn put down her knife and fork, looking darkly at Coach Woods.

Earlier, when Owen gave him some face, she didn't stop it. She agreed with Owen's thinking that appropriate compromise wasn't a bad thing.

But now, the man's bias was nakedly obvious.

Coach Woods's speech made all four people on Gabriel's side look unhappy, while Max and his group looked smug.

Clearly, Gabriel's poverty was a fact. Even if he knew one or two friends like Owen, he was using his family's card and had no real capability himself. But people like Max were different. Their parents had already given the coach plenty of money when they enrolled, and he treasured their sons.

"Some class differences aren't easy to change. What we can do is work hard to make ends meet, not constantly aim too high and compare ourselves with others." Coach Woods patted Gabriel's shoulder meaningfully, then raised his wine glass, about to make a closing statement when a surprised voice came from behind.

"Evelyn?" Principal Quinn happily walked to the table and greeted Evelyn. "Evelyn and your brother are eating here. Owen's here too. Oh, Christopher's here as well."

Christopher stood up and shook hands with the principal. "Principal Quinn, what brings you here today?"

"I came to a meeting nearby, and since it's dinnertime, I came here with some friends from the meeting for a meal." Principal Quinn smiled as he looked at the others. "What are you all—"

Principal Quinn's words reached everyone's ears clearly. Coach Woods, out of politeness, stood up to shake hands and greet him. "Hello, I'm Leo Woods, Gabriel's football coach."

"Oh right, Gabriel transferred schools. Hello, hello, I'm the principal of California High School."

Hearing this, Coach Woods smiled even more eagerly. "Principal Quinn, hello. I've heard so much about you."

The principal of California High School was a good connection. If he built a good relationship, he might get introduced to a better school as a PE teacher, or even a private coach. On the other hand, if he offended him, his current job might be at risk.

Principal Quinn smiled politely. "I'm good friends with your school's principal too. Let's have dinner together sometime."

Then he eagerly looked at Christopher. "We're having a gathering with many of your old friends. Why don't you join us?"

His words shocked everyone. They'd known Owen had a background, but this Christopher had always seemed like Evelyn's sidekick, so they hadn't paid attention.

To attend a meeting with someone at Principal Quinn's level, those people must have significant status. This sidekick was actually their old friend?

What was his background?