Listening to Liam Carter's words, Anna Hawthorne's eyes immediately reddened. Since being chosen by the system, this was the first time someone had been so harsh with her.
Tears lingered at the edge of her eyes, glistening and pitiful, almost begging for sympathy.
But Liam Carter seemed blind to it, turning his head and walking away.
Anna Hawthorne bit her lower lip tightly, staring at Liam Carter's departing figure.
"Liam Carter, you'd better not end up in my hands. Otherwise, everything that happened today, I will make you repay a thousand times over!"
Once she had accumulated enough favor points, the first thing she would strip away would be everything Liam Carter cared about!
Wiping her tears, she stopped paying attention to Liam Carter and turned back to the room.
Daniel Grant was the first to notice Anna Hawthorne's reddened eyes.
Almost the moment she entered the room, he saw it. With Liam Carter not yet back, he could guess something had happened, though he didn't know the details.
"What's wrong, Anna? Did Liam Carter upset you?"
Anna shook her head, her voice choked with emotion. "No, it's not Liam Carter's fault. Don't blame him."
Daniel Grant frowned and gently took a tissue to wipe her tears.
"All right, no more crying, Anna. Tell us—what happened? How did you get hurt?"
Anna Hawthorne sniffed.
"I… I just saw Autumn James outside."
"But it wasn't her fault! You guys don't misunderstand! I was just too sensitive!"
She said both sentences quickly, the tone heavier as if emphasizing the point.
Hearing Autumn James's name, Ethan James felt a sudden unease in his chest.
"What happened, Anna? Did Autumn James bully you? Tell us, and we'll avenge you."
It was quite funny—her brother offering to defend her against someone else.
"No, really, it's not Autumn James's fault. I just saw her outside and thought she wanted to come in and eat with us, so I invited her," Anna Hawthorne said, shaking her head like a rattle, her words broken by crying.
"Where is she now?" Ethan James asked, frowning.
Autumn James probably didn't even know that her father's membership card was with him…
How coincidental that she would come here? Could it be that she knew they were holding a celebration for Liam Carter? Was that why she stubbornly came over?
In Ethan James's mind, the thought flashed in a second.
"She also brought two friends. Liam Carter said only Autumn James could come, but she refused," Anna Hawthorne continued timidly.
A trace of mockery flickered across Warren Luke's eyes. Such a good opportunity to interact with Autumn James, and she actually refused—how foolish.
Liam Carter frowned slightly at this, his eyes showing confusion and an instinctive dislike.
"And then Autumn James just left?" Ethan James instinctively asked.
Anna shook her head timidly. "One of her friends had a Tian-class private room card. They went to the Tian-class room."
Clang! A cup was knocked over.
All eyes fell on Warren Luke.
He sat up straight, face flustered, hurriedly righting the cup.
"Sorry, my hand slipped."
The gaze shifted away; no one paid it much attention, though each was deep in thought.
Warren Luke's eyes were downcast, disbelief written across them.
Autumn James's friend actually had a Tian-class private room card. Who exactly were her friends?
Ethan James coldly laughed repeatedly. "No wonder she didn't come here. So she's relying on a big shot."
Anna Hawthorne blinked, saying nothing, looking pitiful yet secretly amused.
Ethan James could be so harsh even to his own sister—it really showed his ruthlessness.
"I can't let this go! I have to find her!"
Ethan James slammed his hand on the table and tried to rush to the door.
Liam Carter watched his action, not stopping him, but spoke slowly and lightly.
"You can't go."
Ethan James froze mid-step, then slumped back into his chair after a few seconds.
Liam Carter was right. Tian-class and Di-class rooms were not in the same area; the rooms were even separated by walls and guarded.
In Yuncheng Pavilion, Tian-class represented power and status. Those in the upper rooms could come down easily, but those below could not ascend.
Ethan James's anger burned. Autumn James really thought she was impressive? He would deal with her when they got home!
Inside the Tian-class room, a spacious private room, only three people sat together.
"Sorry, I didn't expect this to happen. Next time, I'll treat you properly," Autumn James said apologetically. She had invited them for a meal but ran into all this trouble.
Yet Daniel Grant had a Tian-class card, something she hadn't expected.
Although Daniel Grant had been capable in her previous life, he was still just a student in this timeline.
This suggested that Daniel Grant's family background must be very strong, and Summer Lin… probably wasn't weak either.
But why had she never heard of Summer Lin before? And Daniel Grant's family background was completely unknown to her…
The Lin family…
There was a Lin family in Yuncheng, though it was unclear if Summer Lin was connected.
Feeling Autumn James's apology, Summer Lin kindly waved it off.
She had already noticed that the people around Autumn James in her previous life were not to be trusted.
"Autumn, which events are you planning to sign up for in the school sports meet?"
At the table, Summer Lin proactively changed the subject.
Autumn James propped her chin with her hand, looking conflicted.
"I don't know yet… maybe the 800m, 1500m, and maybe high jump."
"You can do high jump?"
"Yeah, I learned a bit before."
In the past, it was Ethan James who first learned high jump, and she had seen him.
She thought the Fosbury Flop looked cool, so she insisted Ethan James teach her.
Back then, without Anna Hawthorne around, Ethan James had been patient, and she, being smart, picked it up quickly.
"That's great. Few people from our class are doing field events. With you participating, at least we'll have some numbers."
Daniel Grant quietly listened to the two girls talking, not interrupting.
When Summer Lin mentioned him, he occasionally responded and helped her pick dishes she liked.
Autumn James noticed this and couldn't help but feel a little envious.
This atmosphere reminded her of how Ethan James used to treat her.
Their sibling relationship had really been good. They had depended on each other since childhood.
Their mother died giving birth to her, and their father was busy with work, barely paying attention.
From a young age, Ethan James had taken care of her. Though only three years older, he was smart and indulgent, always looking out for her.
Honestly, Ethan James had treated her quite well before.
No wonder in her previous life, she had always gravitated toward them.
But people change.