"What the hell does a delivery driver know?! My husband just became sworn brothers with the heir of Apex Holdings! He's not the man he used to be!"
"Do you have any idea who the Apex heir is? Power beyond measure! Above everyone else! With backing like that, crushing a nobody like you is nothing!"
I rested my chin on my hand, studying her with mild amusement.
"And how do you know I'm not the one with power beyond measure? The one above everyone else?"
"Alberta... after all these years, do you really know me? Do you have any idea who I am?"
She let out a derisive snort, as if I'd told the world's funniest joke.
"You? Above everyone else?"
"Have you forgotten? The only reason I chose Francis over you was because you were a broke nobody. And clearly, I made the right call—you're not just poor, you're delusional."
"Oh, I get it now." Her eyes narrowed. "You've been carrying a grudge all these years because I rejected you. That's why you're here tonight, isn't it? To cause trouble?"
A grudge?
She really did think too highly of herself.
My brow furrowed. I looked at her the way one might look at a child who'd said something profoundly stupid.
"You really think highly of yourself, don't you? You're not even worth—"
"Enough!"
Alberta's shriek cut me off, her eyes dripping with contempt.
"Mike Finch, I never imagined you'd still be running your mouth when you're about to be destroyed."
"I'm done wasting my breath on you. Get on your knees, bow three times, and get out. Let's pretend we never knew each other."
I blinked, then shook my head with a quiet laugh.
"I'm not going anywhere. I'm still waiting for your husband's apology—and those hundred acres."
That was the last straw. The classmates around the table couldn't hold back anymore.
"Alberta, since this bottom-feeder doesn't appreciate your kindness, why bother showing him any?"
"Besides, he humiliated Mr. Pruitt in front of everyone! He needs to be taught a lesson!"
"Just say the word, Alberta! We'll hold his head down and make him bow ourselves!"
These sycophants weren't about to miss a chance to prove their loyalty. One after another, they urged Alberta to let them handle me by force.
Alberta pressed her lips together, then slowly nodded.
"Anyone who lays hands on him tonight gets a hundred thousand dollars."
Several burly classmates shot to their feet, ready to force me to my knees.