"You’re calling who a liar? If anyone here is lying, it’s Arthur, that broke loser! Acting rich when he’s got nothing!" "Exactly! I bet you’re just jealous of Mr. Zac! This is classic poor-people envy!" Most of the crowd sided with Zac, whether they truly believed him or not. In front of someone with power, it was always easier to play along. Hearing the murmurs of admiration, Zac’s earlier anger disappeared completely. The praise fueled his ego, making him feel untouchable. Sure, a few people were skeptical, but their voices were quickly drowned out by his followers. To solidify his dominance, Zac pulled out his phone and waved it casually in Arthur’s direction. "I’m very close with Mr. Ivan. We’re practically family. I even have his personal number saved right here. And at home? I’ve got a custom outfit designed just for me by Mr. Ivan himself. I just haven’t worn it yet—too valuable, you see." He flashed his brand-new phone, making sure everyone saw it. The crowd exploded. "Oh my god! He really does know Mr. Ivan!" "Mr. Ivan is so private—he never shares his number! If Zac has it, they must be really close!" "He actually owns an original Ivan design? That’s next-level insane!" "Right? That’s not just fashion—that’s pure status. If he wears that to an event, every elite in South City will have to acknowledge him!" "But… something doesn’t add up. If he really has an Ivan design, why haven’t we ever seen him wear it?" "Pfft, are you dumb? Ivan’s designs are priceless. Who would casually wear something that rare? What if it got stained or damaged?" "I bet he’ll wear it tonight. After all, Cloudia Corporation’s chairman is rumored to be attending the banquet. If Zac shows up in an Ivan original, even Cloudia Corporation’s chairman would have to respect him." "Then we’ll finally get to see one of Mr. Ivan’s legendary designs in person! I can’t wait!" "Too bad I didn’t get an invitation… I’d kill to be there." "This Arthur guy really doesn’t know his place. He’s a reject from the Gray family, and he dares to pick a fight with Mr. Zac Gray?"Zac stood taller, basking in the admiration. His eyes flickered with smug satisfaction as he glanced at Arthur, as if to say, See? All I have to do is lift a finger, and you lose. Arthur listened to the endless Mr. Zac Gray chants echoing in the hall. Same surname. For the first time, Arthur had the strong urge to change his own. Then, he thought of his grandfather. He quickly shook his head, dismissing the thought. "Oh? Is that so?" Arthur asked lazily, amusement in his voice. "You and Mr. Ivan are really that close?" "Of course!" Zac responded without hesitation. "Who else would it be? You?" The second those words left his mouth, the entire room erupted into laughter. "Hahaha! That’s the funniest thing I’ve heard all day! Arthur? Friends with Mr. Ivan? If that’s true, I’ll do a backflip and eat my shoe!" "I’d sooner believe I was best friends with Ivan than Arthur!" "How dumb do you have to be to even ask something like that?" "Honestly? Arthur hasn’t even said much. It’s Zac who keeps running his mouth." "Are you kidding? You really think Zac would lie about something like this?" "Please, he’s Zac Gray. He doesn’t need to lie!" "Uh… are we forgetting how he literally got caught lying at his birthday party two years ago? If Arthur hadn’t recorded that video, he’d have been completely screwed." Arthur ignored the chatter around him, keeping his gaze locked on Zac. His lips curled into a knowing smile. "Since you say you’re such close friends with Mr. Ivan," Arthur said smoothly, "and you have his number saved… why don’t you give him a call? That should clear up any doubts." The second he said it, the crowd exploded. "Yes! Call him!" "Come on, Mr. Zac, let this country bumpkin hear the voice of true luxury!""Exactly! We’ve only ever seen Mr. Ivan on TV—this could be our chance to hear him speak!" "Wait, wait. Is he going to call? Or is he making all this up?" "Are you seriously questioning Mr. Zac? What kind of idiot doesn’t believe him?" "Uh, I don’t know… maybe the same kind of idiot who believed Zac when he tried to frame Arthur at his birthday party? Yeah, that aged well." The energy in the room shifted. Some were still blindly loyal to Zac. But others? They were starting to wonder.