Chapter 324

Jenny had been all set to put Jack in his place, but the second Charlotte stepped in to defend him, her expression changed in an instant.

"Oh, Char! I didn't see you there! And him... oh, he's your friend?" She let out an exaggerated laugh. "Why didn't you say so earlier? This is all just a big misunderstanding! A complete misunderstanding!"

Hector and Melissa looked pale with frustration but didn't dare say a word.

Charlotte's direct acknowledgment of Jack left them fuming, but they knew better than to push it. They were well aware that her family was in an entirely different league from theirs.

Even Jenny, who strutted around acting high and mighty in public, had to humble herself when dealing with Charlotte's parents. Compared to that, Hector and Melissa were nothing-they had no choice but to swallow their pride.

But Hector wasn't ready to let it go.

"Char, why would you even be friends with him?" he blurted out. "You do realize he's not one of us-"

She didn't finish the sentence, but the meaning was obvious. Jack didn't belong in their world. He wasn't from their circle. How could Charlotte lower herself to associate with someone like him?

Charlotte's eyes narrowed in disdain. "Us? Since when were you and I part of the same 'us'?" she shot back. "I'm friends with Jack. I'm not friends with you. Have you got a problem with that?" Get full chapters from find~novel~net

She had always been direct. She was fiercely loyal to her friends but had zero patience for people like Hector. She hadn't forgotten how Hector had tried to gang up on Jack at school. That had only made her dislike him more.

Zane and Neil immediately stepped forward, making it clear that they had Jack's back.

Jason let out a sigh. His children clearly had some kind of connection with Jack. But on the other hand, Emily-one of his esteemed guests-also seemed to have an issue with him.

Trying to ease the tension, he asked carefully, "Mrs. Lycan, is there some kind of misunderstanding between you and this young man?"

Quintis also looked at Emily in confusion. He had no idea why she had an issue with Jack.

What he didn't know was that Jack was the very person who had laid hands on Tristan at Sandalwood Group.

Emily studied Jack for a moment. His expression was calm, but there was an undeniable edge to his gaze-a coldness mixed with something else. It was resentment.

For some reason, the look in his eyes made something inside her soften. She let out a quiet breath and said simply, "It's nothing. Forget it."

Jason and the others exchanged puzzled glances. Forget it? Just like that?

But since Emily had chosen not to pursue it, there was no reason for anyone else to escalate things.

Jason chuckled and clapped his hands. "Well, if it was all just a misunderstanding, then that's a relief! Charlotte, since he's your friend, why didn't you greet him properly? Take him around, show him the place!"

The other guests quickly followed his lead, letting out polite chuckles as the tension melted away.

Raydon was quick to read the room. Seeing how Jack had somehow earned the favor of these powerful people, he wiped the sweat off his brow and immediately bowed slightly.

"I sincerely apologize for the misunderstanding, sir. I hope you won't take it to heart."

Leo, always quick to stir things up, grinned. "Mr. Clarke, aren't you also the manager of the Alnewgo University Hotel?" he asked with a smirk. "If you really want to make it up to Big Jack, how about rolling out the red carpet for him next time he stops by for a meal?"

Raydon's heart skipped a beat when he heard Leo call Jack "Big Jack"-clearly, the two had a deep connection. He quickly nodded and bowed slightly, eagerly responding, "Of course!"

Charlotte turned to Jack with a bright smile. "Come on, let's go! I actually brought a book on Kranish history-I think you'll find it interesting."

Zane, Neil, and Leo nudged Jack playfully. "You go on ahead," Zane said with a grin. "We'll catch up in a bit."

As Jack walked off with Charlotte, Hector and Melissa stood frozen, their faces drained of color.

It finally hit them. Jack wasn't just some nobody. It wasn't just Charlotte. Even Zane, Neil, and Leo-all infamous for being untouchable troublemakers-were backing him.

And worst of all? Leo had just called him "Big Jack".

That single phrase sent chills down their spines.