I knew the class leader was trying to smooth things over for me, but my time was really running out. "Sorry, I know I’m ruining the mood, but I truly have something I need to take care of."
"There’s a whole group of people in the office waiting for me to get back for a meeting."
I had barely finished speaking when Malcolm slammed his glass down. "Griffin, cut the act. You’re just a low-level civil servant. What kind of meeting could you possibly have to attend?"
"So you’re saying a whole group of people is waiting for you? Do you really think you’re some kind of leader now? I was being polite, calling you a civil servant. Without that, you’re just another lousy worker. Got it?"
I was just about to retort when the class leader quickly grabbed my hand, whispering a plea. "Griffin, I think you’d better apologize to Malcolm. The Fitzroy Family is a leading enterprise here in Langston City. If you offend him, you might lose your job. Sometimes, it’s better to just endure."
Malcolm could make me lose my job? If I hadn’t stayed sober today, I’d almost think I was drunk.
Given my current rank, the only way to remove me from my position would be through a direct official order from higher authorities. No matter how wealthy the Fitzroy Family might be, even if their wealth rivaled nations, they couldn’t possibly have any real influence over me.
I gently patted the back of the class leader’s hand, signaling him not to worry.
"Malcolm, if your hostility toward me stems from the fact that I once had a crush on your fiancée, then let me make it clear. I have absolutely no interest in Thalianow. I suggest you focus your energy elsewhere. You and I are not the same kind of people."
I had planned to use this reunion as an opportunity to clear things up and resolve the misunderstanding with Malcolm. But it turned out his mind couldn’t process things that way.
He stared at me with bloodshot eyes. "Griffin, from the way you’re talking, are you saying I picked up some kind of trash? And my fiancée is a woman even you wouldn’t want? Also, what do you mean by ‘you and I aren’t the same kind of people’? Langston is full of businesses owned by my family. Who do you think you are?"