Chapter 199: The Biggest Plot Twist Yet

Just then...

A convoy of identical black Rolls-Royces swept into the harbor from the distance.

One after another, the luxury cars glided across the pavement with military precision before stopping outside the reception hall.

The sight instantly caught everyone’s attention.

"What the..."

"Are those all Rolls-Royces?"

Several students rubbed their eyes in disbelief.

Then someone suddenly pointed toward the center of the convoy.

"Wait!"

"Isn’t that... the limited-edition extended Phantom?"

"No way..."

"I heard there are only twelve of those in the entire world!"

The entire crowd erupted.

"Holy crap..."

"Lanai Group is seriously loaded."

"No kidding."

"They literally built an entire private resort island."

"You think a few Rolls-Royces are going to hurt their budget?"

As everyone watched in amazement...

The car doors opened in perfect synchronization.

One after another, professionally dressed bodyguards stepped out, each wearing tailored black suits and dark sunglasses.

Behind them came several senior executives from the Lanai Group.

Then...

The woman leading the group stepped out.

The moment she appeared...

The entire reception hall seemed to fall silent.

She wore a fitted black business suit that hugged her graceful figure perfectly.

A pair of sheer black stockings accentuated her long, flawless legs, while her black stilettos clicked sharply against the pavement.

Her wavy chestnut hair rested elegantly over one shoulder, and every movement radiated confidence and authority.

She wasn’t simply beautiful.

She had the kind of presence that made people instinctively move out of her way.

"...Good lord."

A male student swallowed hard.

"Her legs are longer than my entire future."

Another nodded repeatedly.

"Forget celebrities..."

"She looks like she walked straight out of a billionaire’s magazine."

"Is she one of the executives here?"

"She’s gorgeous..."

Then someone noticed something else.

"Hold on..."

"They’re coming this way."

"...Toward us."

The students immediately became excited.

"No way..."

"Are they here to personally welcome Bryce?"

"They have to be!"

"Bryce already told us his family has connections with Lanai Group."

"Didn’t he say they specially reserved these spots because of his family’s relationship?"

"Damn..."

"Bryce, we seriously underestimated you."

"I’ve never seen a welcome this grand in my life."

Another student was already pulling out his phone.

"Does this mean we’re riding to the hotel in those Rolls-Royces?"

"If I get inside one of those..."

"I’m taking at least a thousand pictures."

"My social media is going to explode."

Before long...

Almost everyone had gathered around Bryce again, showering him with admiration.

Bryce maintained a calm smile on the surface...

But inwardly, he was just as surprised as everyone else.

He immediately recognized the woman leading the group.

Lilith Kane.

Vice President of the Lanai Group.

He had met her once before when his father, Malcolm, negotiated a building materials contract with Lanai Group.

Of course...

Bryce knew perfectly well she couldn’t possibly be here for him.

Someone at her level wouldn’t personally greet the son of a supplier.

But...

Looking around at the admiring expressions surrounding him...

An idea quickly formed.

The students had already elevated him to near-legendary status.

Backing down now would only embarrass himself.

Fortunately...

Since he’d met Lilith before...

Maybe he could at least exchange a few words with her.

As long as he looked familiar enough...

Everyone else would naturally assume this extravagant welcome had something to do with him.

Bryce figured he’d simply walk over, exchange a few pleasantries with Lilith, then return and tell everyone she was too busy to entertain them personally.

That would be more than enough to keep up the image he’d spent so much effort building.

Straightening his designer jacket, he put on his most confident smile and strode toward her.

"Manager Lilith!"

"It’s been a while."

"I hope you’ve been doing well."

Lilith paused and looked at him.

For a second...

She genuinely couldn’t remember who he was.

His face looked vaguely familiar...

But his name escaped her.

Seeing the confusion in her eyes, Bryce laughed awkwardly.

"I don’t blame you."

"You meet so many people."

"I’m Bryce."

"My father owns Titan Building Materials."

The moment she heard the company name...

Recognition flashed across Lilith’s face.

"Oh."

"Bryce."

She finally remembered.

Two nights ago, Malcolm, chairman of Titan Building Materials, had personally contacted her to request several invitation passes for Lanai Island’s first official opening.

Since Titan Building Materials had supplied a large portion of the construction materials during the island’s development, the Lanai Group had maintained a cooperative relationship with them for years.

Granting a handful of invitation tickets had been a trivial favor.

"I remember now."

"So you’re here with your classmates today?"

"I’ll have a shuttle come pick everyone up and take you to your hotel."

The moment Bryce heard that...

His eyes lit up.

Perfect.

He deliberately raised his voice just enough for the Student Union members behind him to hear.

"Manager Lilith, you’re too kind."

"You even arranged transportation for us personally."

"But honestly, there’s no need to go through all that trouble."

"We’ll just wait for the regular resort shuttle like everyone else."

As he spoke...

He even reached out and shook Lilith’s hand with exaggerated gratitude.

Lilith blinked in confusion.

She had only meant she’d call one of the resort’s standard guest shuttles.

It wasn’t anything special.

Why was Bryce making it sound like she had dispatched a presidential motorcade just for him?

Still...

She had no interest in correcting him over something so insignificant.

---

Unfortunately...

The Student Union members knew none of that.

The moment they overheard the conversation...

The entire group exploded.

"So we guessed right!"

"The Lanai Group actually sent someone to receive Bryce!"

"Holy crap..."

"His connections are insane!"

"I knew Bryce wasn’t exaggerating!"

"I can’t believe the vice general manager herself knows him!"

Even Kristine’s eyes began sparkling.

Her admiration for Bryce shot to an entirely new level.

"So this is what a truly outstanding man looks like..."

"Even after leaving campus..."

"He’s still treated like VIP royalty."

"The Lanai Group actually arranged transportation for him personally."

"And look at how humble he is."

"He could’ve ridden away in one of those Rolls-Royces..."

"But instead he’s choosing to wait with everyone else."

"He’s seriously incredible..."

"In my eyes..."

"He’s the definition of the perfect man."

Beside her, Penny nodded repeatedly.

"I know..."

"But honestly..."

"I really wanted to ride in one of those Rolls-Royces."

"There are only twelve of that extended edition in the entire world."

"I’ll probably never get another chance..."

Kristine couldn’t help feeling tempted herself.

Who wouldn’t want to experience riding in one of the world’s rarest luxury cars?

But since Bryce had already declined...

She naturally couldn’t say anything.

Penny leaned closer and whispered teasingly,

"Kristine..."

"When Bryce finally agrees to date you..."

"You have to ask him to let us ride in one."

Kristine’s cheeks instantly turned crimson.

She lowered her head shyly.

"...Okay."

"If that day ever comes..."

"I’ll ask him."

Around them...

Many students wore disappointed expressions.

What a shame.

Such a rare opportunity to sit inside a limited-edition Rolls-Royce...

Gone.

Unable to let the moment pass completely, several students quietly pulled out their phones and began taking selfies with the row of luxury cars in the background.

Even if they couldn’t ride them...

At least they’d have photos to post online later.

---

Meanwhile...

Lilith’s attention had already shifted elsewhere.

Beyond the noisy crowd...

She spotted a young man standing calmly with an exceptionally beautiful woman beside him.

Lucas.

Before arriving at the pier...

She had already received the new owner’s profile and photograph.

But seeing him in person...

She was still caught off guard.

He’s even younger than the picture...

He looked barely twenty.

Calm.

Relaxed.

Completely ordinary.

Yet this seemingly ordinary young man had quietly purchased the entire Lanai Group...

An empire worth well over a hundred billion dollars.

Lilith couldn’t help becoming curious.

Just what kind of background did someone like him have?

More importantly...

How could someone so young possess such terrifying wealth?

A trace of admiration appeared in her eyes.

Someone capable of building~or buying~an empire at this age...

Was certainly no ordinary businessman.

He had to possess vision far beyond normal people.

Taking a slow breath...

Lilith discreetly straightened her suit jacket.

Then she turned toward the executives and security personnel behind her.

"Come with me."

The entire group immediately followed.

One by one...

The island’s senior executives walked directly toward Lucas.

---

Bryce watched the scene unfold with a smug smile.

"Hah..."

"That idiot’s finished."

"I bet he never imagined the vice general manager herself would be here today."

"Everyone visiting Lanai Island today has some kind of relationship with the Lanai Group."

"Manager Lilith knows exactly who’s supposed to be here."

"She’ll spot a freeloader immediately."

He folded his arms confidently.

"Lucas is about to get thrown off the island before he even steps inside."

Several boys couldn’t wait to watch the embarrassment.

They had always been jealous of Lucas.

His popularity...

His looks...

The beautiful women constantly surrounding him...

It had irritated them for months.

One of Bryce’s followers quickly raised his phone.

"I’m recording this."

"When Lucas gets kicked out..."

"I’m uploading the whole thing to the campus forum."

"Let’s see how he explains himself after everyone watches him humiliate himself."

Bryce grinned with satisfaction.

"Good idea."

"Make sure you don’t miss a second."

The phone camera stayed locked on Lucas.

Everyone watched.

They watched Lilith walk closer...

And closer...

Until she stopped directly in front of Lucas.

Then...

To everyone’s complete disbelief...

Lilith respectfully lowered her head and bowed.