HBWnovel Chapter 156
Chapter 156
After pointing the house and leading them inside, he immediately raised his shoulders.
"Incredible, right?"
Marcus then spread his arms wide, his designer watch catching the light from the crystal chandelier. His face glowed with smug satisfaction as they toured his home.
"Just my school residence, actually. my family mansion outside the estate is three times this size."
His casual mention of such wealth made several students gasp, their eyes widening in awe.
"Three times?"
Sarah whispered, clutching her Gucci bag tighter.
"That's insane!"
The group moved through rooms of polished marble and crystal chandeliers, their footsteps echoing off the tiles.
At that moment a maid in a crisp uniform appeared with a silver tray of champagne flutes, her movements perfectly practiced. Then others followed, bearing exotic hors d'oeuvres on gold-rimmed plates.
Seeing the maid's coming Marcus smiled brightly.
"Ten full-time staff,"
Marcus mentioned casually, adjusting his Rolex as he waved to another maid dusting a priceless Ming vase.
"Can't live without them, really. Father insists on maintaining certain... standards."
His chin lifted slightly, enjoying how even the rest rich kids of other course looked overwhelmed.
The students sprawled across imported leather sofas, being waited on hand and foot. Even Thomas, whose father owned an importing company, couldn't hide his impressed expression as he ran his fingers over the handcrafted furniture.
"This is how important people live,"
Jake announced, accepting a fresh drink from a passing maid with practiced arrogance.
His eyes gleamed with malicious pleasure as he turned to Ethan. "Real wealth, real service."
He smirked, raising his glass.
"Not some imaginary house someone among us here thinks he owns."
Immediately Laughter rippled through the group as another maid entered with more refreshments. They sat straighter, trying to mimic one of the rich guys among them and they started pretending this level of service was normal for them.
Each secretly reveling in feeling like royalty.
Ethan merely smiled quietly, noting how Marcus's 'impressive' home would fit in his garage.
'They should all Wait until they see what real wealth looks like.'
He said to himself.
"Well,"
Marcus drawled, still floating on his earlier triumph, though his confident smirk had an edge of condescension.
"Let's see this house of yours, Ethan. If it exists, Perhaps it might just be an audio house."
Immediately everyone turned towards Ethan wanting to hear what he's going to say.
Sarah flipped her hair dramatically. "I can't believe we fell for it, even for a second!"
"Probably he googled which houses were being renovated, or Perhaps he knows one of the workers."
Thomas sneered, adjusting his Gucci tie with trembling fingers. "Just to pretend he's rich! So desperate for attention!"
The group's mocking laughter returned, sharper and more vicious than before.
Their relief at catching Ethan in a lie made them bold, their bodies practically vibrating with restored confidence.
Ethan's eyebrows lifted slightly as he watched their performance, with a faint smile playing at his lips. 'Naomi, you're really putting on quite a show'
he thought, remembering his specific instructions about the renovation story.
At that moment Ethan wanted to call Naomi to give the workers instructions for them to go inside, but at the same time it would be of no use because they would still find something to say.
'I could end their mockery with one call to Naomi'
Ethan thought, his finger hovering over his phone.
'And at the same time, they would know I have connections, which is something I don't want.'
Besides, having them think he had connections to the estate management could raise unwanted questions. People might start digging, asking how a 'normal' student knew such powerful figures. 'Better they remain ignorant of my true influence... for now.'
However, seeing Ethan keeping quiet Their insults continued to rain down again.
"Pathetic fraud!"
Marcus sneered, adjusting his designer tie with trembling fingers.
"Can't believe we fell for it!"
Sarah's perfectly made-up face twisted with contempt.
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"What a joke!"
Jake laughed, but his eyes held a hint of lingering doubt.
Thomas was practically dancing with glee.
"Wait till everyone at school hears about this!"
At that moment Ethan cleared his throat, the small sound somehow cutting through their tirade like a blade through silk.
Their heads snapped toward him in unison.
"You're right,"
he said smoothly, watching their expressions shift from surprise to confusion then to smug satisfaction.
"This house is currently under construction."
He paused deliberately, letting their grins grow wider, their shoulders straightened with perceived victory.
Then, like a predator playing with its prey, he added.
"Perhaps I should show you my other property in the estate instead."