Chapter 4

My name was nowhere to be found on the main screen of the Graham Foundation Gala.

Despite my outstanding test scores in STEM, I wasn't anywhere near the center of media attention.

Seth, dressed in a tailored suit, stood right in the middle of Sydney, Sloane, and Sutton.

Sitting in a corner, I listened to snippets of gossip from my peers.

"So he's the ugly heir?"

"The Grahams didn't even release his photo on the gala slideshow."

Keeping my head down, I browsed the event guest list.

Instead of trashing me, these people ought to make use of their time and check out the people in the room.

Top university professors, research directors, and major tech investors were all in the same room.

Armed with my research proposal, I made the rounds.

Within half an hour, I secured access to the research institute's lab equipment and convinced an investor to provide seed funding for my project.

Sydney caught up to me just as I was signing a preliminary agreement.

"Who said you could go behind my back and talk to our investors?"

I waved the contract in the air.

"Isn't that why you invited them to the gala? To discuss a potential partnership?"

"What? You get to use the family's connections, but I don't?"

"Well, aren't you desperate? Shouldn't you be concerned about what others think?"

"Their opinion doesn't matter to me."

"I just want the money."

Fearing I wouldn't play along with the public apology, Sydney wired me a lump sum.

Once the transfer reached me, my tone softened.

"Thanks, Sydney."

"Next time you feel the need to lecture me, just send the cash beforehand."

Sydney stormed off.

Halfway through the evening, Sloane's photography showcase began.

The room gasped when the young man under the magnolia tree was presented.

Sydney announced to the room that the Graham Group was prepared to pay whatever it took to lock the young man in the picture as the face of the brand.

Sloane held the microphone, her gaze tender.

"My biggest regret in life is that I only snapped a single photo of him back then."

"If I ever get the chance to meet him again, I'd spend the rest of my life photographing him."

Sutton sighed into the livestream camera.

"He's the only guy on earth who has gotten all three of the Graham sisters' stamps of approval."

Sitting in the audience, I quietly tallied up the ambassador deal plus the finder's fee reward.

If I pulled down the turtleneck right now, I'd be in for a massive payout.

However, one look at the press, and I killed that thought.

Money was important.

However, getting my degree mattered just as much.

Out of nowhere, Seth dragged me near the photo.

"Don't feel bad about yourself, Harrison."

"We can't compete with the guy, but looks aren't everything."

Several peers snickered.

"One's a national heartthrob everyone's hunting for, and the other's a jump scare his own family can't stand to look at."

Not even putting an end to the chatter, Sloane instructed the event staff, "Take him away. I don't want irrelevant people ruining the photo setup."

As the gala was wrapping up, Sutton held the mic and stepped onto the stage.

"We still have one last business to take care of tonight."

The spotlight fell on me.

Sitting in the main seat, Sydney issued a command callously.

"Get on stage."

Given that she had paid up, I decided to cooperate.

Sutton handed the mic over.

"Apologize for getting my livestream booted yesterday."

"Sorry."

Her face fell.

"That's it?"

"You didn't specify a word count."

Chuckles echoed from the audience.

Sutton was livid and embarrassed.

"The only reason you hide your face is that you're hideous."

"I dare you to show your face now!"

The crowd jumped on the bandwagon.

"Take it off!"

"Show us that you're all brains and no looks!"

Seth put himself in front of me.

"Leave Harrison alone!"

"If he had the confidence to show his face, he would've done so already."

His defense only fueled the crowd's excitement.

I turned to head down the steps.

Seth discreetly stepped on the hem of my pants and threw himself toward the champagne tower at the edge of the stage.

"Harrison!"

I reached out to grab him.

Seth, on the other hand, gripped my wrist and yanked me hard toward the head table in the back.

There came a deafening crash.

The stacked pyramid of crystal glasses came crashing down.

Chilled champagne and crushed ice smashed down my face.

I landed right into the wreckage.

Somehow, the high neck of my sweater had been ripped off my face.

Seth tumbled to the floor a few feet away, fake-gasping with his hands over his mouth.

"I'm sorry, Harrison."

"I didn't mean for this to happen."

Despite his apology, he couldn't hide the thrill in his eyes.

Sutton aimed her phone right at me.

Everyone rushed to hold up their phones.

"I can see his face!"

"Come on. Hurry up and get a picture of him!"

"A face reveal of the ugly heir at last!"

Sydney, Sloane, and Sutton stood by Seth.

No one came to help me to my feet.

Cold champagne dripped down my forehead, stinging my eyes.

I swept my damp hair off my face.

The spotlight caught every angle of my face.

The lively chatter died all at once, as if someone had cut the air in the room.

A wineglass slipped from someone's hand and shattered against the floor.

Several reporters stood gaping, so stunned they'd forgotten to press the shutter.