365 Days To Save The Campus Bad Boy

VIP Section

My father's eyes fell on the clipboard I was still holding, and his face immediately fell. Before I could explain myself, he grabbed my wrist and gently pulled me away from the crowd into a quiet corner.

"What are you doing?"

I had only seen him wear such a stern expression a handful of times in my life. That was how I knew I was in serious trouble. I hadn't even told him I was coming here.

"Dad… I didn't think you'd be here," I muttered.

"My boss was invited, and he brought me along," he replied. His brows remained knitted together as he looked me over from head to toe. "Now explain yourself. Are you working here, Aurora?"

His voice softened.

"If you were short on cash, why didn't you tell me? You know I would've given you money. I sent you to school to study, not to serve people."

He looked genuinely worried but beneath that worry was hurt.

My father had always been like that. He never liked seeing Mom or me work ourselves to the bone over money. He had spent years building us a comfortable life, and now he probably thought I'd secretly taken a part-time job because he wasn't providing enough.

My heart pinched.

"Dad, I'm not short on cash." I smiled reassuringly. "I came here with a friend and volunteered to help with the management team. You don't have to worry."

"How can I not?" He sighed. "Some of the people here aren't exactly… pleasant. I don't want anyone looking down on you."

I understood exactly what he meant.

The last hour alone had been enough to prove him right.

"I'm sorry," I said quietly. "I should've told you beforehand."

His expression finally softened.

"It's alright." He sighed before adjusting the shoulder of my blazer as he used to when I was little. "Just don't do this again without informing me first."

Then his eyes drifted to the clipboard in my hands.

"Now hand that thing over." He smiled proudly. "Come with me. Let me introduce you to a few people. The whole world deserves to meet my beautiful, smart daughter."

A small smile escaped me. I handed the clipboard to a passing usher before turning back to him.

"What about your friend?" he asked.

"Oh, she's the event manager. She's with her mom right now." I pointed discreetly toward Denis. "I'll introduce you later. Her name is Denis."

My father froze.

"...Denis Harper?"

I nodded. "Yeah. She's my roommate."

His brows lifted in surprise before an approving smile spread across his face.

"So she's Valentine Harper's daughter."

"I didn't know you knew her."

"I know of her." He chuckled. "Valentine Harper is one of the most respected event planners in the country. I've heard her daughter is a good kid." He looked at me warmly. "You made a good friend."

I grinned. "So… you're not mad anymore?"

He patted my hand. "I suppose I can let this one slide."

Of course he would. As long as I wasn't secretly struggling financially, he was already relieved.

Dad linked his arm with mine before leading me deeper into the bustling ballroom.

"This way."

The hall was even livelier now. Waiters glided between tables carrying trays of champagne, and conversations flowed effortlessly between politicians, business executives, celebrities, and philanthropists. Every smile looked polished. Every laugh sounded rehearsed.

He proudly introduced me to some of his colleagues and acquaintances, wearing a smile the entire time, his chest puffed out with pride.

Eventually, we stopped in front of his boss.

"Aurora, this is my boss, Mr. Jacob. Mr. Jacob, this is my daughter."

Mr. Jacob immediately extended his hand. "So you're Aurora." He smiled kindly. "Your father talks about you almost every day at the office."

I'd heard a lot about his boss from him too but this was my first time actually meeting the man.

Heat crept into my cheeks. "I-Is that so?"

"He says you're the smartest person in your department."

"Dad…"

My father only laughed proudly.

Mr. Jacob gestured toward the elegantly dressed woman beside him. "And this is my wife, Kiara."

I instantly recognized her as the woman I'd heard gossiping earlier — the one whose husband had been trying to get investment from the Kings for six months. Mr. Jacob must be that husband. My father had been his managing director for years. My brows furrowed slightly. I hoped the company was doing alright.

"Nice to meet you, ma'am."

She gave me a brief smile. "You too."

The moment our greetings ended, she leaned closer to her husband and whispered, "I think Mr. King is less occupied now." Her eyes drifted toward the VIP section. "We should use this opportunity before someone else approaches him."

Although she lowered her voice, I still caught every word. I glanced at my father. He simply gave my hand a reassuring pat.

Mr. Jacob nodded at my dad. “Charles. Let’s go.”

Before I could protest, my dad led me after them.

A knot formed in my stomach. They were heading toward the VIP section.

‘Please… not there.’

The last person I wanted to run into tonight was Elijah.

I swallowed hard, but I couldn't fight against my dad. The last thing I wanted was for my father to discover that I'd spent the last month terrorizing the son of the very man his boss desperately wanted to impress.

As we approached the VIP section, I realized Mr. Jacob wasn't heading directly for Mr. King. The older man was currently engaged in conversation with another distinguished gentleman whom I immediately recognized as the host of tonight's fundraiser.

Cole Grey.

The owner of Grey Memorial Hospital.

Sebastian's father.

My gaze lingered on him for only a second before drifting to Thomas King. He shared Elijah's black hair, sharp features, and unreadable expression. The resemblance was unmistakable.

Standing beside him was a breathtaking woman with striking red hair, Dianna King, his wife. She wore a graceful smile as she chatted comfortably with Valentine.

Behind them stood five younger figures. A man who looked to be in his late twenties. A young woman with the same vivid red hair as Dianna. They stayed close to Dianna as though orbiting around her.

Then my eyes shifted farther down.

Denis sat nearby, eyes on her mom. Sebastian lazily swirled a glass of champagne in one hand, standing a few distance away.

And beside him was Elijah.

If I wasn't mistaken, the redheads were his siblings, but he seemed to be the only one in the family who took after his father.

One hand tucked into his pocket, the other loosely held a glass he didn't seem interested in drinking. His expression was as indifferent as ever, his attention fixed on the ongoing conversation. His suit somehow made him look even more intimidating.

My heartbeat skipped.

Thankfully, he hadn't noticed me yet.