Chapter 1264: Crush

One thing about Lily was that her lies and excuses were often believable. Even when people suspected she had hidden agendas, it was rare for anyone to guess what they actually were. After all, just like tonight’s party, it wasn’t merely an excuse Lily had come up with.

It was a real party she had thrown.

As more people arrived at the nightclub, Lily excused herself from Ginnie and Grace to welcome some of her friends.

"She really is social," Grace chuckled, shifting her eyes from Lily to Ginnie. "Lily always talks about you whenever she gets the chance."

Ginnie shrugged. "I don’t know why she does that. Sometimes, I wish she wouldn’t—then I wouldn’t have to meet strangers who somehow already know my name."

"I think you’re just popular."

"Popular? Me?" Ginnie laughed out loud. "No way. Even though I work for a major league team, I am nowhere near that word."

Grace tilted her head and shrugged. "I’m not into sports, except golf, so I can’t really argue."

"Well, it’s fine." Ginnie waved dismissively. "It’s not like that’s important to me."

"So? What is important to you?"

Ginnie slowly turned her gaze back to Grace, her brows slightly raised. "Championships."

"Haha. Why did I even ask?" Grace chuckled as Ginnie laughed. "Sometimes, I wonder how you and Lily became best friends."

"It’s because of Penny," Ginnie said, taking a sip from her glass. "I know Penny already told you about it, but if not for her, I don’t think I’d be friends with Lily."

"And why is that?"

"Did I tell you I was bullied in the past?" Ginnie asked casually. "One of the downsides of studying in a prestigious school that only elites can afford is that being smart... isn’t all that special. Especially if you come from a poor family. Normally, kids go to school to learn, but at the Summit School of Excellence, it’s different. Not all students are there to learn—some are there to build connections early on."

She continued, "For someone like me, one of the lucky few who got in without money, it was tough. Lily was the class president. Her family is influential and wealthy, and she’s an only child—very pampered. On top of that, she was also the top of our class... until Penny came."

"Long story short, Penny befriended me because she didn’t like our other classmates. Then Lily, feeling indebted to Penny, started hanging out with us. It was a door I was lucky to have opened," Ginnie added with a smile. "That door granted me good friends—precious ones."

She glanced toward where she had last seen Lily. "I’m so grateful for that. So, even if her invitations are sometimes spontaneous—like tonight—I don’t mind." Grinning, she turned back to Grace. "After all, Lily does a lot for me, too. Whenever I need her, even if she’s abroad, she’ll catch the earliest flight to be there for me."

"No wonder you showed up in sweatpants," Grace chuckled, making Ginnie laugh as they lifted their glasses for a toast. "I’m glad Penny got you out of that situation and led you to a lifelong friendship."

"Me too." Ginnie clinked her glass against Grace’s and took a sip. "School life didn’t seem so bad once I had Penny and then Lily. In fact, I started looking forward to it every day. Besides, I didn’t just get the freedom to enjoy school—I also found my passion there. Sure, there were downsides, but also plenty of good things."

Grace cupped her face and studied Ginnie. "So... it’s not true that you have a crush on Hugo?"

"Huh?" Ginnie scrunched her nose. "That’s random."

"Haha. Lily mentioned it to me not long ago."

"Why does she keep telling people I like Senior Hugo?" Ginnie pinched the bridge of her nose while Grace laughed. Sliding her hand down, she sighed. "No, it’s not true. Whatever Lily is up to, I have no idea—but it’s not that."

"You could sue her for defamation," Grace joked with a smirk. "I can recommend a good lawyer."

"Grace, I just told you how much I value my friendship with Lily, and now you’re suggesting I sue her? If she heard that, she wouldn’t be happy."

"I doubt it. She’d probably find it amusing."

Ginnie shook her head. "No wonder you two kept in touch."

"I’m just saying, it’s an option."

"Yeah, not one I’m taking," Ginnie said. "Whatever she’s up to, I know it’s harmless. Otherwise, she wouldn’t do it." She sighed again, cupping her face as she stared at her half-empty glass. "Though... I did have a major crush on someone back then."

Grace’s brows lifted, and she leaned closer. "Tell me. I promise I won’t spill."

"Grace, I didn’t know lawyers liked to gossip."

"Oh, hun, you’d be surprised what lawyers like to do."

"Well." Ginnie smacked her lips and shrugged. "It was a long time ago, so I guess it’s fine."

"So, who was he?"

"I can’t tell you his name, but he loved basketball too." Ginnie pouted slightly, her eyes falling as she reminisced. "He was smart and had a temper, but whenever he played basketball—even though he’d say he hated it and that it was a game for kids—you could see in his eyes how much it meant to him. He had a temper, but he wasn’t a bad person."

"How come you two never got together?"

"Pfft—" Ginnie stifled a laugh, looking at Grace as if she were joking. "Why would we? We were like heaven and earth. He was rich; I was practically a pauper. He was good-looking and smart; I was just smart."

"You’re not ugly."

"But with so many beautiful faces around..." Ginnie glanced around the club, chuckling at the countless gorgeous and confident women present. Meanwhile, she was sitting there in sweatpants. Meeting Grace’s eyes again, she smiled. "I’m not insecure, Grace. I just acknowledge the reality—he had plenty of choices, and I wasn’t one of them. Nor did I want to be."

"Besides, I moved on. It was a childish crush," she added, lifting her glass. "I’m content with what I have. That’s all that matters."

Grace studied Ginnie for a moment and, for some reason, felt proud of her. "Men aren’t that important—except for two."

"Two?"

"Uncle Charles," Grace said, finishing her drink. Then she added, "And Haines Bennet."

"..." Ginnie blinked at her. "Grace, I think you just... forgot to add ’Uncle’ before Uncle Haines’s name."

Grace smirked playfully but said nothing, leaving Ginnie raising her brows in confusion.