Chapter 89 Humiliation
Was going to National Capital University really that special? There were tons of students and faculty, and their kids were just part of the crowd. What was there to brag about?
They ignored me, talking only about stuff they liked, as if I wasn't even there.
Being ignored like that felt like being humiliated.
I might not be a socialite, but I was still my parents' pride. I worked hard and stayed on the right path. I wouldn't put up with anyone's disdain. I only came because Louis begged me, and I couldn't say no.
I didn't envy their wealth or status, and I wasn't trying to get in their good graces. No one had the right to humiliate me, not even Louis's mom.
They acted all superior, thinking they could walk all over me. But their world wasn't what I wanted, and I had no interest in being part of it.
Their bragging was just laughable.
Annoyed, I took out my phone and texted Louis, [I want to leave.]
Since he brought me, I should at least let him know before I go. Basic courtesy.
Within five minutes, Louis rushed back, ignoring the stares, and sat on the armrest of the sofa where I was sitting.
I was already on the edge, and with him on the armrest, it felt like I was leaning into his embrace.
The girl next to the lady in the long dress shot me a look that could kill, her jealousy making me dizzy.
Louis was rich and handsome, naturally attracting many girls. Being with him made me their target.
It seemed all the girls here were after Louis, no wonder I got so much attention when I walked in.
"Why do you want to leave? The banquet's about to start, there'll be fireworks, and I have a special surprise for you. Can you stay a bit longer? Or should we go for a walk?" Louis asked, tucking a strand of my hair behind my ear, making the girl glare even harder.
"Is Mindy okay?" I asked.
Louis said, "She's fine, just a strained muscle in her left hand. She'll be better in a few days. Jane, leaving you alone was my mistake. I'm sorry, it won't happen again."
Louis smiled, looking dashing in his suit, and my wavering heart calmed down.
I thought, 'He always says it won't happen again, but how many more times? How many relationships can survive these promises? And how could his high-status family ever accept a girl like me?'
"Oh," Megan drawled, lifting her chin like a queen, laughing insincerely, "So that's what you're worried about. No wonder you've been so quiet. I didn't think of that. Ms. Hanks, Louis and Mindy grew up together, always close. They used to play house, one would be the dad, the other the mom, and they had so much fun."
I raised an eyebrow but kept quiet.
With just a few words, she made me seem narrow-minded.
"Mom, that's not true. Don't say that," Louis said, gripping my shoulder tightly.
Megan glared at Louis, then smiled, "What's there to be embarrassed about? Everyone here knows. You can't just abandon Mindy because you have a girlfriend. Let me remind you, Mindy is my goddaughter. No matter who you marry, Mindy will always be your responsibility. You must never neglect her."
The other ladies praised Megan for her loyalty and sense of propriety, especially Mindy's mother, who smiled so broadly her eyes turned into slits.
Mindy was a good person, but her mother lacked the grace expected of her status, her vision too narrow.
By now, even if I were dull, I understood.
Louis's mom was telling me they had chosen Mindy as their daughter-in-law. She was warning me that even if Louis married me, he could never cut ties with Mindy. In other words, Mindy would always be a presence between Louis and me.
Megan's goal was to make me back off.
After all, no woman could tolerate a third wheel in her relationship.
If things didn't go as Louis planned, given his feelings for me, he might clash with his parents, which would be embarrassing for the Anderson family.
Every upper-class family wanted to maintain a facade of harmony and unity, so they wouldn't allow a girl like me to disrupt their family.
Their so-called good manners prevented them from outright telling me to leave, so they used this method to make me leave on my own.
Being driven away like this was blatant humiliation.
I tried to stand up several times, but Louis held me down each time. He begged Megan to stop, repeatedly explaining to me that he and Mindy were just childhood friends, nothing more, and pleaded with me not to leave.
But at this point, I couldn't stay any longer.
I had no money or status, and I wasn't the socialite they spoke of, but I was a daughter from a good family, raised strictly by my parents. I had dignity and pride.
My upbringing didn't allow me to be trampled and despised like this.
I forcefully pushed Louis's hand away, not looking at his hurt expression, and smiled, "Mrs. Flores is right, Mindy is indeed a rare good girl, and I like her too. I heard she's hurt. Can I visit her? We are roommates, and I want to know how she's doing."
"You're also a graduate student at National Capital University?" Mindy's mother asked incredulously.
Her surprised look made it seem impossible for me to be a graduate student at National Capital University. Perhaps in her eyes, I was just a plaything for the rich, expected to be illiterate, so they could appear more noble by comparison.
However, there were so many graduate students at National Capital University. She couldn't possibly think this way about all of them.
Or maybe, in her mind, only her daughter was qualified.
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