chapter 049speak up for My Treat

"Sharon, it's fine," Eric reassured her with a warm smile. His gaze then shifted to Maria, his smile fading into a stern expression. "Maria, your knowledge may not always equate to the truth. For Sharon's sake, I'll refrain from arguing with you this time. However, bear in mind that judging someone based solely on their wealth can lead to regret," he warned, his voice icy.Having said his piece, Eric turned on his heel and returned to his seat. Maria watched him go, her lips curling into a disdainful sneer. "Do I need your lecturing?" she retorted.Once Eric had settled back into his seat, Big Teddy turned to him, guilt etched across his face. "Eric, I'm really sorry. I wanted to defend you, but it only backfired.""

""."Eric dismissed his apology with a comforting pat on Big Teddy's shoulder. "It's alright, it's not your fault,"" Eric patted ," he reassured him.Big Teddy's shoulder.

""frustration was palpable. "Eric, it's so infuriating. These people dare to speak like this about you and even look down onbelittle you. Why didn't you just reveal that you're the cChairman of the Power Group? ScareThat would scare them to death!"" Big Teddy expressed his anger on Eric's behalf.

!"Eric shook his head, "" in response. "If I were to say that now, that I'm the Chairman of the Power Group, would they believe me? They would probably mock me even more, sayingannounce that I'm lying .""

Eric had never revealed now, would they believe me? They'd probably mock me even more, accusing me of lying." He had always kept his identity a secret in class.

After dealinghis previous encounter with Kaden last time, Kaden did find out abouthad discovered Eric's true identity, but. However, he had since transferred schools and didn't tell had not shared this information with anyone in the class about Eric's identity.

In fact, .Big Teddy had long wantedwished for Eric to reveal his identity in class, so that everyone wouldn't look, to prevent others from looking down on Eric, buthim. Yet, Eric had never done so.

""Yeah, you'realways chosen to keep it to himself."You're right. It's better that you have consideredyou've thought it thoroughly,""through," Big Teddy nodded conceded, nodding in realization.

""agreement."But, I've decided not to be sokeep such a low-key profile anymore. If I continue like this, they will reallythey'll think I'm a weak person,""," Eric said with narroweddeclared, his eyes.

narrowing in determination. The recent incident made Eric a little angry had angered him and made him understandrealize that being too low-key wasn't good either!

was not always beneficial.Big Teddy nodded repeatedly, ""enthusiastically. "Yes, yes, yes! Boss, use your identity to scareintimidate those who look down onbelittle you!""

!"Before the end of the school day ended, the counselor came toentered the classroom and informed everyoneannounced that it would be the weekend soon, and they was approaching. She suggested that the class should have a meal together to strengthen the class's friendship.

Since the counselor didn't have timetheir camaraderie. As she was unable to organize the event herself, she entrusted the task to Sharon.

At 5:30 pm, the students gathered at the school gate.

All the classmates gathered there.

"""Everyone, which restaurant shall we go tochoose for our gathering?""?" Sharon, as the class monitor, asked.

""inquired."How about going to the 99 Buffet? It offersIt's affordable prices and offers a wide variety of dishes,""," Maria suggested.

Maria's words received Her suggestion was met with enthusiastic responsesagreement from many of their classmates.

"""Yes! The 99 Buffet is good.""

"".""The key is the affordable price, $59.""

For this gathering, everyone had ."Everyone was expected to pay for themselves for this gathering, so they naturally chose, they opted for a more affordable place, which was also suitable for college students.

Upon seeing many people agreeingSeeing the general consensus, Sharon said, ""agreed. "Alright then, let's go to the 99 Buffet.""

."Just then, a discordant voice brokecut through.

"" the chatter. "The 99 Buffet? Isn't that a bit too low-class?"" the?" The voice said.

Hearing these words, the classmates looked towards the direction the voice came from, onlybelonged to see Eric.

Sharon also looked at Ericturned to him in confusion, wondering why he would suddenly saymake such a thing.

""comment."Eric, what are you saying? Are you reallyseriously saying that the 99 Buffet is too low-class?""?" Maria sneered.

Many students in the class coveredstifled their mouths and laughedlaughter. A poor person saying that the 99 Buffet iswas too low-class?

"""Isn't that the case? A place where it costs $59 per person is too low-class and doesn't suit me,""," Eric responded calmly said.

Upon hearing this, everyone.His statement was met with a burst out laughing.

""of laughter. "Eric, it's actually you who is low-class, not worthy of a place like the 99 Buffet!"" Maria!" Maria mocked.

A red-haired guy with red hair chimed in, """Eric, you say the 99 Buffet is too low-class, then tell us, which restaurant is worthy of you?""

?" This red-haired guy used to be one of Kaden's lackey.

""lackeys."Let's not even talk about five-star restaurants. If it's near the school, at least it should be a Gourmet Restaurant,""," Eric replied calmly said.

""."Gourmet Restaurant? Haha!""

!" The students present bursterupted into laughter once again.

"""Have you been to a Gourmet Restaurant? I went there with Kaden before. Do you know how expensive it is?""?" the red-haired guy laughed.

"""Of course. I know. If you can't afford it, that's your business,""," Eric retorted casually replied.

""."You... You're just lying, making it sound like you can afford it. I'm much better than you, at least,""," the red-haired guy's face darkened.

At this point, Maria stepped forward with a smile and said, """Eric, since you suggested going to a Gourmet Restaurant, how about this? You'll pay for the gathering at the Power Group.""

"".""No problem, I'll cover the cost of the dinner ,""," Eric responded calmly responded.

.Upon hearing Eric's answer, Maria was momentarily stunned. She had thought Eric wouldn't dare to agree, and she could continue to mock him, but Eric actuallyhad accepted her offer.

"""Alright! You said it! Everyone, today we're going to have a gathering at the Gourmet Restaurant. As for the expenses, Eric will take care of it. We just need to focus on eating. If he can't afford to pay in the end, that's his problem,""," Maria declared loudly.

Maria decidedmade a decision, a plan to go along with it, intending to humiliate Eric further.

"" disgrace Eric in front of their peers."Eric, aren't you bragging? seem quite boastful," she taunted. "Let's see whathow you dofare when it's time for Eric to pay,the bill arrives and he can't afford it.""

""Okay!""

The you're unable to foot it.""Agreed!" echoed the classmates present all expressed their agreement. As long as they didn't have to pay, they were willing to go to sucharound them. The prospect of a free meal at a high-end place for a meal.

""Everyone, let's go!""

establishment was too enticing to resist."Follow me, everyone!" Maria took the leaddeclared, striding towards the Gourmet Restaurant.

"""Maria!"" Sharon stopped !" Sharon's voice halted her. "Maria.

""Maria, you've gone , this is too farmuch. Eric is also yourour classmate, how can you deliberately embarrass too. You can't just set him up for embarrassment like this!"" Sharon pouted, looking very angry.

Sharon!" Sharon's face was usuallyflushed with anger. Sharon was known for her easygoing and wouldn't argue with anyone. Besides, she and Maria were just ordinary friends. But Maria targeting Eric like this made her feel very angry.

""Sharon, are you actually defending him? Can't you see that he's just a braggart? I think you've been deceived by him for too long. As a friend, I have to help you see his true colors today."" Maria put on a righteous look.

After saying that, Maria continued walking towards Gourmet Restaurant, and the classmates followed suit.

Eric walked up to Sharon.

""Sharon, I'm really sorry. It's because of me that your nature and rarely found herself in conflicts. Her friendship with Maria got damaged."" Eric said.

""was casual, but Maria's blatant targeting of Eric stirred a fury within her."Sharon, are you defending him?" Maria asked incredulously. "Can't you see he's nothing more than a braggart? I believe you've been fooled by him for far too long. As your friend, it's my duty to show you his true colors today." Maria's expression was one of righteous indignation.With that, she resumed her march towards the Gourmet Restaurant, the classmates trailing behind her.Eric approached Sharon. "Sharon, I'm truly sorry. It's because of me that your friendship with Maria has been strained," he confessed."No, I should be the one apologizing. It's because of me that you have to endureyou're being ridiculed and targeted," Sharon replied, guilt etched on her face.Sharon was incensed at their classmates' mockery and targeting."" Sharon looked guilty.

Sharon was really angry when she saw their classmates mockingof Eric, but she didn't know howfelt helpless to help him.

""intervene."Sharon, are you worried about me?""?" Eric smiled and asked.

Sharon blushed. "", a smile playing on his lips.Sharon's cheeks turned a rosy hue. "Yes, we're friends, so. I don't want to see everyone laughing atmaking fun of you.""

"".""You two are becomingstarting to look less like friends and more like a couple.""," Big Teddy chuckled.

Sharon blushed even moreinterjected, a chuckle escaping his lips.Sharon's blush deepened at his words.

, while Eric awkwardly cleared his throat. "" awkwardly. "Big Teddy, stop making things up.""

""quit your teasing.""Alright, I won't say more.I'll stop. But I'm really looking forwardI can't wait to it. Whensee their faces when we get toarrive at the Gourmet Restaurant later, they'll surely be shocked.. I want to see who dares to laugh at you then.""," Big Teddy said happily.

declared, a gleeful grin on his face.Big Teddy was well awareprivy to the fact that Eric was the owner of the Gourmet Restaurant. He had been holding backbiting his tongue for so long, finally havingeagerly anticipating the opportunity to let thesemoment when their classmates see how capable Eric was.

""It'swould discover Eric's true capabilities."Perhaps it's time to showreveal a bit of my true identity. Otherwise, people might think I'm so weak.""continue to underestimate me," Eric smiled.

mused, a smile tugging at his lips.Sharon, however, had some concerns. ""was apprehensive. "Eric, the prices at the Gourmet Restaurant are very highsteep. Even if you won hundreds of thousands in the lottery, you can't just spend it recklessly.""

shouldn't be so reckless with your money."Sharon didn't knowwas unaware that Eric ownedwas the proprietor of the Gourmet Restaurant.

""I've got it"Understood, let's go,""," Eric said with aresponded, his smile.

unwavering.The Gourmet Restaurant was close toa short walk from the school, so everyone walked directly toand the restaurant.

""group made their way there on foot."No wonder it'sthis is the best restaurant near our school, the decoration isit's so luxurious!""

""Afteropulent!" "I've been studying at New York University for two years, and this is my first time dining at the Gourmet Restaurant.""

Many."The classmates sighed as they lookedmarveled at the entrancegrandeur of the Gourmet Restaurant.

as they approached its entrance.Maria turned to Eric and said, "", a smirk on her face. "Eric, just to confirm, you're treating us today, right? If you can't afford it, you'll bear the consequences alone, correct?""

""?""That's right!""correct!" Eric replied confidently.

"""Alright, as long as you said it, let'syou're sure. Let's go, classmates!""

everyone!"Maria walked straightled the way into the Gourmet Restaurant, and the classmates followedfollowing suit.

With a smile on his face, Eric looked atturned to the Gourmet Restaurant and said, "". "Big Teddy, Sharon, let's go in!""

After speaking!"With that, Eric headed insidestrode confidently into the Gourmet Restaurant..."...