Hugo's humorous remark successfully shut down the restless reporters. Seeing that Hugo was unwilling to answer, even the most relentless of journalists didn't dare to push further. Hugo was not someone they could afford to offend! As the door closed, it shut out all the noise from the outside world. Several suited bodyguards who had followed Hugo stood like sentinels at the narrow entrance, ensuring that no one barged in to disrupt Hugo’s important business. They had followed Hugo for years, yet this was the first time they had seen him this excited. Despite his age, he had personally traveled all this way just to recruit a student. Since Hugo valued this student so much, they had to guard this place well! The crowd outside, though disappointed to see the door shut, was left reeling from Hugo’s words. “So that’s what this was all about. I thought there was another reason, but Hugo himself just acknowledged Arthur’s talent!” “I used to think Arthur’s national first-place ranking had an element of luck to it, but now I realize—it was pure, undeniable skill!” “Hugo said he’s a shining gem! That’s Hugo we’re talking about!” “Arthur’s grades used to be average, but in just two years, his progress has been faster than a rocket!” “Tsk tsk, I can’t even imagine how much John must regret this. A prodigy like Arthur, a true genius, and he just cut ties with him like that!” “If he were my kid, I’d be worshiping the ground he walks on! I’d give him anything he wanted!” “The Gray family really had no idea what they had. Not only did they neglect this genius, but they even abused him while treating that useless adopted son like royalty!” “I heard that Zac is actually John’s mistress’s son! He always thought Zac was his own illegitimate child with her, but I recently heard something else, it turns out Zac isn’t his son at all! That mistress had him with someone else and deliberately placed him under John’s care! The guy was completely played!” “My God! John got the short end of the stick! With that level of intelligence, how did he even manage to run Gray Corporation for decades?” “Gray Corporation only survived because of the senior executives Mr. Benjamin left behind. If it weren’t for them, the company would’ve gone under long ago.”What started as a discussion about the professors soon turned into a full-blown critique of the Gray family. Meanwhile, John stood at the back of the crowd, looking utterly disheveled. His face was covered in scruffy, unkempt stubble, his hair had grown long, and his clothes were filthy and tattered—he bore no trace of his former prestige. No one even recognized him. He stared blankly at the scene before him, listening to the scathing discussions happening all around. Arthur—those professors whom people revered—had actually come here, all fighting to take him as their final apprentice! Even Hugo had come! That was Hugo! Arthur, the son he had cast aside, the one who had once been forced to run away after Renee and Zac had stolen his money— John’s eyes burned red with regret, his entire being consumed by remorse. But it was too late now. He had wronged Arthur too many times. He had done too many unforgivable things to him. And now? How could I possibly have the face to beg Arthur for forgiveness? Just as his thoughts spiraled into chaos, a luxury car suddenly screeched to a stop outside the crowd! The moment the vehicle halted, the door swung open at once. A tall figure stepped out in a sharp, formal jacket. One look was enough to tell that this was no ordinary person. Several stern-looking men surrounded him, clearing a path as they loudly announced, “Make way! The Director of Education is here to visit the professors! Step aside!” The moment those words landed, the crowd erupted once more! “Oh my God! Even the Director of Education from South City is here?” “All these big shots are showing up! This is unbelievable!” “I’ve never seen anything like this in my life!” “With all these university professors here, I guess it makes sense for the Director of Education to come too.”“Arthur is really the man of the hour now!” The crowd was abuzz with excitement, while John stood frozen in place once again. The Director of Education—even the Director of Education had come! Back in his prime, John had only met the Director of Education a handful of times. That was someone far out of his reach. But now, that same Director had personally come to see Arthur! What kind of genius had I thrown away? If only I had cared for him when he was young… If only I hadn’t abused him… If only I had paid more attention to him… If only I hadn’t agreed to cut ties with him… If only… if only I had treated him better… Then right now, the one basking in all this admiration would have been me!