Finn leaned back in his chair, his gaze appraising yet friendly as he addressed Veronica across the private dining table. "In my years, I've encountered many brilliant young minds, but soone of your caliber, Ver—achieving such remarkable success at your age—is truly exceptional. That's precisely why Chandler and I were so eager to et you. I hope we haven't imposed."
Despite his eminent position, Finn's tone carried such genuine warmth and respect that Veronica couldn't help but respond with equal sincerity. "The honor is entirely mine. I'm grateful for this opportunity."
Chandler chuckled, shooting Finn a sideways glance. "Easy now, don't intimidate the kid with all your formality."
The truth was, both n saw sothing rare in Veronica—a raw talent coupled with determination that promised greatness. Their interest wasn't re courtesy but genuine respect for her potential, which was why they had arranged this eting.
With Maxwell and Doran also present, the conversation flowed naturally, creating an atmosphere of mutual respect rather than hierarchical stiffness. The dinner extended well beyond the al itself as they continued their discussions for another hour, delving into topics that revealed the breadth of Veronica's knowledge and insight.
Only after exchanging contact information—a gesture that signified their desire for continued connection—did they finally part ways, each impressed by the encounter.
Monday marked the beginning of the new academic term for Porter's primary and middle school students. This sester would be Adrian's first experience with boarding school life. With Poppy occupied by family matters and Phillip imrsed in work, the responsibility of escorting Adrian fell to Veronica on Sunday afternoon.
Upon arrival at the prestigious institution, Veronica imdiately noticed the Crystal and Mack families gathered near the entrance. Behind them stood three uniford maids, each struggling under the weight of extravagant luggage. The entire scene exuded wealth and privilege.
So Benjamin had transferred to Porter as well? Veronica mused silently. Entry into such an elite institution wasn't simply a matter of academic rit—it required connections and influence. Cullen's hand in this arrangent was unmistakable.
The entire Crystal family had assembled to see Benjamin off—a testant to their adoration for the boy. Benjamin himself embodied the quintessential beloved child: carefree, exuding happiness, his deanor radiating the confidence of soone who had never questioned their place in the world.
Watching Sophia gaze at Benjamin with such undisguised affection, Veronica felt a sharp pang of mory. She could still recall with perfect clarity how Sophia had once clasped her hand with fierce conviction, declaring that Veronica was her only granddaughter. The bitter irony of that mory hadn't diminished with ti.
At that mont, both families noticed Veronica's presence. The warmth in their expressions instantly cooled, replaced by thinly veiled disdain.
A passerby suddenly gasped, pointing indiscreetly at one of the suitcases held by a maid. "That luggage costs over 300 thousand dollars! I never thought people actually bought those. Rich people really do live differently."
The Crystal family turned at this outburst, causing the onlooker to realize their social misstep. With an embarrassed apology, they quickly retreated with their companions.
Even without this comntary, Veronica had already observed the ostentatious display. Each piece of Benjamin's luggage was crafted from the finest leather, with individual price tags reaching tens of thousands of dollars. Collectively, his school provisions alone represented a small fortune.
Dora's crossbody purse—a limited edition piece worth over a million dollars—completed the picture of casual extravagance.
Hearing the admiration from onlookers, Sophia and Bonnie turned to assess Veronica's situation. Their eyes fell on Adrian's modest luggage—a single suitcase and duffel bag that together probably cost less than a thousand dollars. Sophia's gaze lingered briefly before she dismissed the sight with indifference, while Bonnie didn't bother concealing her derisive laugh.
In their calculation, although Murray Corporation might have escaped imdiate collapse, aningful profitability remained a distant prospect. The longevity of Phillip's business ventures remained questionable at best.
As for Veronica's connection to Dario, rumors suggested his interest wasn't as significant as initially perceived. The ssage was clear: the Murray family no longer operated within their exclusive social sphere.
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