Chapter 5
943 Words
Oliver's words dripped with disdain for me while flattering Karen. He mocked me for once being the top student, only to end up as a lowly employee now. At the same time, he lavished compliments on people like Karen, who had become a boss without a degree.
But Karen wasn't fooled. She shot him a cold look. "Don't insult workers, okay? Our company doesn't have employees who bark like dogs! He's just leeching off the Moore family!"
Her harsh words stunned the alumni, leaving Oliver momentarily speechless.
It seemed he didn't anticipate that in Karen's eyes, my status at Moore Group was so low that I wasn't even worth considering as a person.
Being the sycophant he was, Oliver quickly shifted to appease Karen. "Ms. Moore, your judgment is accurate! We didn't expect Andy, our genius, to be a shameless freeloader."
Malice spread like wildfire. Soon enough, others chimed in to ridicule me.
"Even with two PhDs, he's still shamelessly sticking to Ms. Moore. That must be true love! But the status gap seems too wide, hahaha..."
"Not really, man. It's trendy now to be a live-in son-in-law. Andy worked hard at a prestigious university just to marry into a rich family."
"You're spot on with that 'marry into' wordplay!"
Their heartless laughter pierced me as I recalled our time working on projects together. Those beautiful, youthful memories stung like blades.
These alumni, who once showed me respect, now laughed at me scornfully, a testament to the ruthlessness of human nature.
I maintained a poker face, though each heartbeat carried a twinge of pain.
"Shut up!" Karen's angry voice broke the room's rhythm. "Does he deserve to be linked with me? What right does a worthless freeloader like him have to like me?"
Sensing Karen's displeasure, Oliver quickly changed the topic. "Let's move to the main event. Today is our alumni gathering, and we can't miss voting for the most popular person's impromptu performance!"
"Do we even need a vote? With Andy here, who would dare compete with him, hahaha," someone joked.
Karen added with a smile, "I think it's an excellent idea. Andy, why don't you entertain us?"
"I'm sorry, Ms. Moore. I don't have any talent to show," I replied.
"Even a dog would be more useful than you," Karen quipped with a familiar smirk, a sign she had another way to make me suffer. "How about this, balance the glass on your head and mimic a dog. That shouldn't be too hard, right?"
"Alright."
With everyone watching, I placed the glass on my head and put my hands at my chest.
Karen gestured, "Turn around."
I spun silently as laughter and applause erupted around me.
"The genius's performance is wonderful!" Oliver commented.
"Move aside. You're blocking my camera. This has to go on the school forum. The professors have to see him too, hahaha..."
"I'll post it on f*******: too. Maybe it'll go viral!"
As excitement surged, camera flashes lit up the night. I closed my eyes, shutting it all out.
Suddenly, a sharp noise startled everyone. The glass had fallen and shattered on the ground.
"You ruined the fun, you f*cking retard!" Karen scoffed.
I replied quietly, "Sorry to disappoint you, Ms. Moore. I'll just wait for you at the entrance."
Karen sneered, blocking my path, "What? Trying to run away, huh? Beg me."
I stayed silent, just looking at her.
"Oh, Andy, you've got guts today. Come here!" Karen dragged me to the table, picked up a platter of mango, knowing my allergy, and smashed it on the floor. "Squat down and eat it, then I'll let you go."
Mangoes were scattered everywhere, buried partially in grass and dirt. Without a moment's thought, I crouched down, grabbed a few, and shoved them into my mouth. Almost immediately, an unbearable itch spread through it.
Food allergies were pretty straightforward. The itchiness came first, then rashes broke out all over. If I didn't get some medication soon, I'd start feeling nauseous, possibly even vomit or faint.
So, I forced myself to eat the mangoes quickly, knowing that the allergy meds were in my car parked by the villa's entrance. I needed to buy myself enough time.
The last sizable piece of mango lay near Karen's foot. Just as I reached for it, she deliberately stepped on it.
"Oh no, it got squished under my shoe," she said, lifting her foot with a smirk. "Come on, scrape it off and eat it."
With a deep breath and my head lowered, I did what she said, retrieving the mango from her shoe.
"Andy, look at me. I want to see you eat it!"
Our eyes locked as I slowly placed the piece into my mouth and chewed.
It took too long, and my stomach started to rebel. I couldn't hold back my discomfort any longer.
"Sorry, I need to use the restroom." I stood up clumsily, dizziness overcoming me, my body feeling as though it no longer obeyed me. I steadied myself against the table as I made my way out.
"Did I say you could leave? Get back here!" Karen yelled angrily, but I couldn't stop. I couldn't bear the thought of vomiting before everyone.
I stumbled into the restroom, clutching the toilet as I retched violently, my energy sapped and my consciousness fading.
"Andy?"
A gentle, familiar female voice rang out behind me.
Warm hands rested softly on my shoulders, and I found myself enveloped in a floral-scented embrace.
I tried hard to open my eyes to see who it was, but I just didn't have the strength.
"Andy! Wake up!"
I could barely sense the anxiety in her voice.
- Writer
