Listening to Liam Carter, Anna Hawthorne's eyes instantly welled up. Ever since she'd been chosen by the system, this was the first time someone had been so harsh with her.
Tears trembled on her lashes, glistening, evoking sympathy.
But Liam seemed blind, paying no attention at all. He shot her a glare and turned away.
Anna bit her lip, watching Liam's retreating figure.
"Liam Carter… if it ever falls into my hands, I'll make you pay back a thousandfold for today!"
Once she had gained enough favor points, the first thing she would take away would be everything Liam cared about.
Wiping her tears, she ignored Liam and returned to the room.
Daniel Grant was the first to notice Anna's red eyes.
The moment she entered the room, he saw it. Combined with Liam not returning yet, he could guess something had happened, though not the specifics.
"What's wrong, Anna? Did Liam upset you?"
Anna shook her head, her voice still choked with tears. "No… it's not about Liam. Don't blame him."
Daniel frowned and took out a tissue, gently wiping her tears.
"All right, no more crying. Tell us — what happened? How were you wronged?"
Anna sniffled.
"I… I ran into sister."
"But she didn't make me cry! Don't misunderstand! It's me… being too sensitive."
Her words came in quick succession, emphasizing the point.
Hearing Autumn James's name, Ethan James felt an inexplicable unease.
"What happened, Anna? Did Autumn James bully you? Tell us, we'll get revenge for you."
It was almost comical — a brother threatening to punish outsiders on behalf of his sister.
"No, really… it wasn't Autumn sister. I saw her outside and thought she wanted to come join us for the meal, so I invited her in." Anna shook her head repeatedly, her speech halting from crying.
"Where is she now?" Ethan asked anxiously.
Autumn probably didn't know that Ethan's father's membership card was with them…
What luck that she just had to come here! Could it be that she knew they were holding a celebration for Ian Leo and stubbornly insisted on following them? Ethan's mind raced.
"She brought two friends, but Liam said only Autumn could come. Autumn refused to leave her friends behind," Anna continued timidly.
William Moore's eyes flickered with ridicule — such a prime chance to get close to Autumn James, and she even refused? Truly lacking sense.
Ian Leo frowned, his eyes showing confusion and an instinctive displeasure.
"So… did Autumn James just go back?" Ethan asked instinctively.
Anna shook her head, continuing shyly: "One of her friends had a VVIP room card, so they went to the VVIP room."
A clatter — a cup was knocked over.
All eyes turned to William Moore.
He sat upright, panicked, hastily setting the cup straight.
"Sorry… my hand slipped," he said.
The group's attention shifted, minds still occupied.
William lowered his gaze, disbelief in his eyes.
Autumn's friend actually had a VVIP room card — who was this friend?
Ethan James snorted. "No wonder she didn't come to us — she's riding on a big shot."
Anna blinked, silent, looking pitiful on the outside but inwardly smirking.
Ethan could even say that about his own sister — he really was heartless.
"No way! I need to find her!"
Slamming his hand on the table, Ethan sprang toward the door.
Ian Leo watched him, didn't stop him, but calmly said, "You can't go."
Slow, soft-spoken, yet Ethan froze mid-step.
Within seconds, he slumped back into his seat.
Ian was right — the VVIP and VIP rooms were not in the same area. They were even separated by walls, with staff stationed to block access.
One-Pin Pavilion was a symbol of power and status: people from the VVIP room could come down easily, but those from the VIP rooms couldn't trespass upward.
Ethan's anger flared — did Autumn think she was impressive just for this? He would deal with her properly at home.
Inside the VVIP room.
A spacious room, only three people seated.
"Sorry, I didn't expect this to happen. Next time I'll treat you properly," Autumn said apologetically. It was supposed to be her treat, yet she'd encountered this mess.
But Peter Edward actually had a VVIP room card — that was unexpected.
Although in a past life Peter had been powerful, now he was just a student.
So his family must be quite wealthy — and her cousin Summer Lin… probably well-off too.
But why had she never heard of Summer before? And Peter's family background — she seemed to know nothing…
The Sang family… There was one in the capital, but what connection did Summer have to them?
Seeing Autumn's apologetic expression, Summer reassured her gently.
"Yangyang, which events are you signing up for at the school sports meet?"
At the table, Summer actively shifted the topic.
Autumn rested her chin on her hand, conflicted.
"I'm not sure… maybe 800m, 1500m, and high jump."
"You can high jump too?"
"Yes, a little."
Back then, it was Ethan who first learned high jump, and Autumn had watched.
She thought the Fosbury-style jump was stylish, so she pestered Ethan to teach her.
There was no Anna yet, but Ethan was patient, and Autumn, being smart, picked it up easily.
"That's perfect — few people from our class are in field events. Now with you, at least the numbers are covered."
Peter Edward quietly listened, only responding occasionally when Summer included him.
He helped pass dishes Autumn liked.
Autumn noticed, a hint of envy stirring.
This atmosphere reminded her of how Ethan used to treat her.
Their sibling relationship had truly been good once — always relying on each other.
Their mother died in childbirth, so Autumn grew up motherless, with a busy father seldom paying attention.
She had been cared for by Ethan, just three years older, clever and protective.
Honestly, Ethan had been quite good to her back then.
That was why, in her past life, she always tried to be near them.
But people change.