Chapter 9
884words
One of the companies that came across my work reached out and invited me to work as a research consultant. They offered a monthly consulting fee of 100 thousand dollars for a single project.
That was how I earned my first real pot of gold.
That summer, while I was home on break, I went to a class reunion with Lucy. Several years had passed, and once again, I saw Maverick.
What shocked me was how much he had aged. His hair was a mess, his skin dull and sallow. His face looked worn, deep lines etched around his mouth and eyes. If anyone told me he was in his thirties, I would have believed them without a doubt.
What was even more surprising was that one of his legs was visibly lame. He walked with a noticeable limp, swaying slightly with each step. When he entered the private room, all eyes were on him.
Someone spoke up with thinly veiled malice. "Well, look at that. It's our former top student. What happened to your leg?"
The room erupted in laughter. Everyone seemed to know the story already and was deliberately rubbing salt into the wound.
Maverick looked embarrassed. He forced a smile, trying to appease them. "Work. I hurt myself at work."
Then, he quickly took a seat in the corner, drawing his injured leg in.
Clearly, no one intended to let him off so easily.
"Didn't you say back then that getting into Bloomdale University was as easy as pie for you? So why did you end up at some bottom-tier college instead? Are you not planning on enrolling in a postgraduate program anymore?"
A guy beside him nudged his arm, grinning and teasing. "Come on, what's the point of having such good grades?
"Our genius here married into the Livingstons. He doesn't need to worry about anything anymore."
Laughter rippled through the room again.
Maverick's smile froze. He lowered his head and drank in silence, not saying another word.
Lucy nudged me and whispered in my ear, "Do you know how Maverick injured his leg?"
I turned to her. "How?"
Lucy lowered her voice even more. "I heard that after Maverick graduated from that third-tier college, he went to work at the Livingston family's casino.
"However, the government launched a major crackdown, and their business took a massive hit. He wasn't making much money, and Ginger was putting him on a tight leash.
"So, he snapped and latched onto a wealthy older woman. Who knew Ginger would catch him red-handed?
"He ran off in a panic, and while crossing the street, he was hit by a car. That's how his leg ended up this way."
I let out a cold laugh. "So, is he still with Ginger?"
Lucy pouted. "I don't think you know this. What does he have now? He has an unimpressive degree, no practical skills, and a crippled leg.
"Even his parents have washed their hands of him. Sticking with the Livingstons at least keeps food on the table. If he left, he would probably be sleeping under a bridge."
I said nothing else.
After the reunion ended, Maverick stopped me outside the karaoke room. "Amelia, can I have a word with you?"
Lucy looked at me, worried. However, I gave her an assuring nod and followed him to the side.
Maverick struggled to stand steadily, his gaze complicated as he looked at me. "Amelia, you're different from how I remember you in high school."
I raised an eyebrow. "How am I different?"
He lowered his head, looking somewhat shy. "You're prettier and have become more elegant. You carry yourself differently.
"I guess this is what the big city does to people. Ladies from a small town like this can't compare. You have no idea how suffocating my life is now.
"Ginger has turned into a complete housewife. She has no style and makes no effort to dress up, consumed by the children all day.
"She's nothing like you. You've kept your figure well, and you have a great sense of style."
I sneered. "Really? I remember once upon a time, you said Ginger was beautiful, gentle, and would listen to me. You loved her to pieces."
Maverick panicked instantly. He quickly explained, "Amelia, I was immature back then. I chose the wrong person. I know that now. Can you give me another chance? I've always had you in my heart."
I couldn't help but laugh at what he said. "Maverick, where did you get the confidence to think I would still want you after all these years?"
He fell silent, turning his face away as he wiped his tears. "Amelia, if only I hadn't gone back to get Ginger's examination admission pass that day.
"We would have gone to Bloomdale University together, built something together. We might have lived such good lives together."
I fell silent.
The cold wind swept past, and I couldn't help but shiver.
Maverick, if you hadn't gone back for that pass, the one regretting everything today would have been me.
You had brought all of this upon yourself.
