Chapter 89 The Real Game Begins
If Nolan truly didn’t want to go in, then why skip class to come all the way here?
Inside the restaurant, the waiter had already poured their wine.
It was an ’82 Lafite–one of the most expensive on the menu. Tyson didn’t seem to care.
+8 Pearls
Eliza knew a man like Tyson wouldn’t bat an eye over a few thousand dollars. But she figured she might as well take the opportunity while it lasted. It wasn’t every day you got to taste something like that.
“Ms. Rivers, if you really want to study abroad, you don’t need to go through the school,” Tyson said casually. “I’m offering you an opportunity. Are you taking it or not?”
“What kind of opportunity?” she asked.
“There’s a university in Westbrook. I’m not sure if you’ve heard of it.”
“You mean Claire University?”
“Smart girl.”
Eliza frowned slightly.
Claire University–known as the golden hall of finance. Getting in wasn’t just about grades. Of all SAT students who applied, fewer than ten were accepted annually.
And even those ten were always the very top scorers in the city. Usually only dual or triple subject valedictorians even had a shot.
As a privately owned university backed by financial powerhouses, its entry requirements were in a league of their own.
No scholarships. No underprivileged applicants.
Every student underwent a family background check.
Those with three generations of public servants who made significant contributions to society were automatically accepted.
For business families, only those with annual revenues in the billions and corporate valuations over ten billion qualified.
Without a special education bureau mandate, even the one slot for a low–income student wouldn’t exist.
“So, Mr. Tyson,” Eliza said slowly, “you’re planning to send me to Claire University?”
“Studying abroad is good,” he replied. “But Claire is the real opportunity. I don’t believe you don’t know
that.”
At Claire University, you weren’t just studying–you were entering the core circle of future elites.
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Out of the 200 students admitted each year, every single one came from a powerful family,
Every wealthy parent in the world fought to get their child in.
It truly was a golden sanctuary.
Eliza wanted to go.
But she had no right to set foot in a place like that.
+8 Pearls.
“Mr. Tyson, I wouldn’t even pass their background screening,” she said coolly. “Sending me to Claire University–that’s a joke, isn’t it?”
“I know opportunities must be earned. But I don’t believe in miracles falling from the sky. Even if I were to get into Claire, it would have to be through my own effort.”
“Oh?” Tyson asked, amused. “And how do you plan to do that?”
“That’s my business. What matters is–it won’t be through the back door.”
Anyone who got in through favors, but couldn’t keep up, would live through hell for four years.
She wasn’t going to throw herself into a pit just because he was trying to dig one.
Lunch was nearly finished. Eliza set her utensils down.
“Thank you for the meal, Mr. Tyson. I still have class this afternoon, so I’ll be going.”
She stood up to leave.
But Tyson suddenly raised a hand–brushing it through her hair.
Eliza frowned. “Mr. Tyson, what are you doing?”
“There was something in your hair,” he replied smoothly, turning his body to block the floor–to–ceiling window behind him.
“There was?”
She reflexively lifted her hand to check.
At that moment, Nolan walked through the restaurant doors.
Eliza blinked in surprise.
It was clear Julio had tried to stop him but failed.
“Nolan?” Tyson arched an eyebrow. “Skipping class to come here? What for?”
“I’m here to pick someone up.”
Nolan strode forward, grabbed Eliza by the wrist, and pulled her into his arms.
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“You done talking? If so, we’re leaving.”
Tyson had never seen his nephew care about someone this much.
Especially a girl.
“We’re done. Take her,” Tyson said lightly.
Nolan didn’t bother with pleasantries. He turned and led Eliza out.
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She stumbled a little, nearly falling. “Nolan! Why are you here? How did you get here? How did you even know where I was?”
She bombarded him with questions.
Nolan didn’t answer.
He just kept walking. Only once they had exited the restaurant did he stop.
Eliza almost ran into his back.
Nolan turned around and looked straight at her.
“Are you stupid? He asked you to go with him, so you just went?”
Eliza blinked, confused.
“Wait… is that why you followed me here?”
Nolan said nothing.
So she added, “I went with Tyson because I knew he was your uncle. That’s the only reason I agreed.”
“Your uncle doesn’t seem to like you very much,” she said cautiously. “Are you two… fighting over inheritance?”
Eliza honestly didn’t know much about the Hayes family.
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