Chapter 10

Everyone looked toward the speaker: Barry. Six foot one, dashing, and immensely popular, Barry had been student council president and possessed considerable wealth. Like Jeremy, he'd driven to university.

Yesterday morning, while Robert was bathing, he saw a class group chat message announcing Barry's plan to start his own company.

Barry regarded Robert with undisguised disdain. "Robert," he sneered, "you should look in the mirror. What makes you think you deserve Marilyn?" He approached Robert with a mocking expression.

Robert looked Barry up and down. "If I don't deserve Marilyn, do you? Even fawning over her doesn't give you a say—you're a nobody, am I right?"

"What the hell are you talking about?" A furious voice cut through the crowd. One of Barry's classmates rushed forward, shoving Robert and appearing ready to fight. Other students intervened, but the classmate persisted.

Barry shrugged. "Enough! He's a pauper. He makes a bit of noise on campus, but once he's out in the real world, that's all he'll ever amount to—ha-ha!"

Only after Barry finished did his classmate relent. Barry pointed fiercely at Robert before striding toward the campus gate with his friend.

"Hurry! Recruitments starting. We'll be late!"

"Let's go!"

News of the recruitment drive spread, creating anxiety among the students, who surged from the classroom.

A student patted Robert's shoulder. "Robert, let's go! You're a bright student, but graduation is a new life. Put aside your pride. I hear Barry's company pays well. Talk to him like gentlemen; since you're classmates, he might offer you a job."

Robert glanced at Marilyn leaving with the crowd and shook his head. "No, thanks. I have better options."

"Come on! You have such a huge ego! Pride is nothing compared to money! Forget it." The student gave up and joined the recruitment drive.

The graduation job fair was bustling. Many well-known companies were recruiting, and graduates scrambled to introduce themselves and submit resumes.

Barry, however, was not among them. He sat under a canopy, sipping an iced drink and chatting jovially with other company representatives, looking utterly relaxed.

Robert saw Barry, who caught his eye, smiled, and shouted, "Robert, want an interview? My company needs a restroom cleaner. You'd be perfect!"

Laughter erupted.

A beautiful girl winked at Barry. "Barry, that's mean! Robert's had a four-year scholarship! He can't be a restroom cleaner!"

Barry scoffed. "A scholarship? Useless! To me, he's only fit to clean restrooms. Once he's out of school, I won't even look at him." His voice was loud, as if he wanted the whole school to hear.

Many turned to look at Robert, shaking their heads sympathetically. Barry's family was clearly powerful and influential. His career would be smooth. The circle of wealthy families in Yrinas was small, and having offended Barry, Robert's career prospects in the city looked bleak.

"Hi, our company is great. Consider us."

"Hi, I've read your resume; you fit our requirements perfectly."

"Hi…"

Unlike the others frantically submitting resumes, Marilyn was approached by several HR representatives eager to discuss her career. Beautiful women, especially those with Marilyn's poise and academic achievements, enjoyed significant advantages. Companies sought talent and beauty.

The other graduates looked on enviously.

Kendrick, in a suit, approached Marilyn. "Everyone, give it up. Marilyn Quesnell is already deputy general manager of Zabel Group. I think that's better than anything here." He spoke confidently.

The companies vying for Marilyn were stunned. News of Zabel Group's planned entry into Yrinas' commercial district had spread. Zabel was a provincial capital conglomerate; its wealth was immense. Its arrival would shake Yrinas' business world. The deputy general manager position was incredibly prestigious. Ninety percent of Yrinas' CEOs treated Zabel's deputy general manager with utmost respect.

"Zabel Group's deputy general manager! Incredible!"

"I knew Marilyn would succeed!"

"We're struggling, and she's already at the top!"

The graduates had discussed Zabel Group enthusiastically, hoping for internships. Now, Marilyn was its deputy general manager.

"Breaking up with Robert was the right choice. Look at Mr. Zabel—so handsome!"

"Young and rich! Far better than Robert!"

"Comparing Robert to Mr. Zabel is insulting!"

Kendrick, in his suit and leather shoes, looked mature and wealthy, a stark contrast to Robert in his academic gown.

Outside Yrinas University, Carlos held a phone.

"Mr. Zabinski. Understood. It's arranged. Appointment letters for the eighteen subsidiaries are ready. I'll have Mr. Robert Zabinski sign them. Yes, I'm outside the school now and about to—"

Behind Carlos were ten Rolls-Royces with consecutive license plates. Such extravagance was unheard of in Yrinas.

At the job fair, Robert was the butt of everyone's jokes. Dumped by Marilyn, he'd offended Barry and was now being compared unfavorably to Kendrick. He was utterly humiliated.