Chapter 427 The Man Behind the Curtain

The gates of Pavilion Hall were equipped with an automatic recognition system. As the Maybach approached, the gates swung open on their own.

Seeing this, Peggy immediately rushed forward, trying to slip in before the gates closed.

But just as she reached them, they shut again—locking her outside.

She stared at the tail of the Maybach in dismay, full of regret. "If I’d known he was someone important, I wouldn’t have mouthed off to Yunice…"

Whoever drove that car had to be someone powerful. No one else could just drive into Pavilion Hall like that.

“Ugh! I can’t see anything! It’s driving me nuts!”

Up ahead, Jordan was behind the wheel. “Just made it in time—looks like Madam’s friends are still here.”

“Yunice, this pool is insane! It’s like a private beach!”

“Come on, don’t just sit there–jump in with us! Let’s have a water fight!”

Tommy dove underwater and resurfaced with a splash, head tilted back to breathe. Water trailed down his chin and neck, running over his toned chest.

The girls all squealed in delight.

“Come on, get in! If you don’t know how to swim, we’ll teach you. We’re all friends here—what are you afraid of?” A guy swam over to the edge and reached out to one of the girls.

She hovered at the edge, shy and uncertain. After all, the pool was full of guys–how could she be the only girl in the water?

One girl leaned over to Yunice and whispered teasingly, “Nathan’s trying to get close to Faye. We’re all just helping him out.”

Then she raised her voice, “Let’s get in too! It’s not every day we get a free swimming lesson.”

Everyone caught on and started changing into swimsuits, slowly easing themselves down the pool ladder.

Soon the pool was full of splashing and laughter. Yunice was the only one left sitting by the edge.

“Yunice, are you afraid of water?”

She just smiled without answering.

Tommy noticed and threw a water ball at the guy who spoke. “Shut it, single dog. She has a husband!” The guy caught the ball and blinked. “Having a husband means she can’t get in the water?” “Dude, shut up already!” Someone clamped a hand over his mouth and splashed him with water.

“Did you just splash me?!” The guy fired back, hitting someone else by accident and just like that, chaos erupted in the pool as everyone joined a playful splash war.

Yunice, watching the scene with a laugh, didn’t notice the butler behind her bowing slightly to someone then silently stepping away.

One of the boys in the pool suddenly froze mid-splash, staring behind Yunice.

After a few seconds, he called out, “Yunice, someone’s behind you!”

Startled by his tone and everyone’s alarmed expressions, Yunice instinctively turned.

And nearly tripped over the sun umbrella–only to be caught easily by Wyatt, who stood just behind her.

His gaze lifted past her, landing squarely on the pool.

There, under the sun, were half-naked college kids–barely out of school, youthful and loud.

Only Tommy had the kind of presence that could hold his gaze for more than a second.

But even that didn’t last.

With just one glance from Wyatt, everyone in the pool felt suddenly exposed–like kids caught misbehaving.

Embarrassed, they quietly ducked underwater, then awkwardly swam to the edge and climbed out, scrambling to change out of their swimsuits.

They didn’t even know who he was.

They just knew that appearing in front of someone so composed, so innately intimidating, dressed like that–felt profoundly inappropriate.

Within minutes, all of them had vanished into the changing rooms.

Only Yunice and Wyatt remained by the pool.

Yunice asked, “Why are you back so early?”

Wyatt raised a brow. “If I’d come back any later, would you all still be partying like this?”

Yunice imagined the gathering with him present–everyone stiff, awkward, silent.

With him sitting there like a mountain tiger, who’d dare make a sound?

Wyatt looked around. “Didn’t someone insist on seeing me? Where is she?”

Knowing he meant Peggy, Yunice answered without hesitation, “She was annoying, so I kicked her out.”

Wyatt smirked. “Got impatient, did you? You should’ve let her see me–she’ll think your husband’s too embarrassing to show.”

Yunice narrowed her eyes. “Is that why you came back early?”

Wyatt let his gaze drift back to the pool. “Not entirely.”

Truth was–he didn’t like leaving his home unguarded. He wasn’t about to let someone take advantage of his absence.

“Yunice.”

Tommy stepped forward, followed by over twenty classmates, now fully dressed and standing respectfully in front of them.

No one spoke, but every eye was sneaking glances at Wyatt.

In the changing rooms, Tommy had already explained everything–this man was Yunice’s husband.

It was one thing to be rich.

But to be this young, this powerful, and have that kind of presence… just standing near him made them feel out of place.