Chapter 875: I’m so proud of you, sir…

A thick layer of frost surrounded another area of the gymnasium, making everyone around it shudder. Dean stared at the few members of the fan club, who wore sashes that revealed their positions. However, he didn’t care.

"I’m not changing my attire," Dean repeated for the last time, his voice harsh. "Go and bother someone else. You can’t make me."

The officers of the fan club looked at each other, nodding. Even though this was a reunion, Dean still held an important position in the Pierson family, and they didn’t want him to take it personally. But just as they were about to give up, Ray suddenly stepped in.

"It’s okay, my fellow officers!" Ray, who had changed into an old-school uniform as well, came forward with a sash on him. He snapped his fingers, and at the same time, some other officers of the fan club stepped in.

Dean narrowed his eyes suspiciously, catching the smug look on Ray’s face. ’I don’t like that look on him.’

"Dean, you should change into a uniform. Otherwise..." Ray trailed off, pointing his thumb over his shoulder. "... you’d be just like him."

Dean slowly followed where Ray was pointing, only to catch Atlas being held up by the basketball team. What was even more surprising was that Atlas seemed to find some comfort in that position. Dean didn’t expect that.

"It’s either you change, or we do it some other way," Ray added, nodding at him. "What do you say?"

Dean ran his tongue across his inner cheek, his eyes glinting at Ray. However, knowing Ray, Dean knew Ray was being serious. Ray might be the least violent among his relatives, but he was also the most aggressive when he wanted to be—aggressive over the most nonsensical things.

"Hehe." Seeing that look on Dean’s face, Ray signaled someone to hand him the pair of uniforms. "Take it."

Dean glared at the guy holding the uniform, who quickly avoided his gaze.

"Tch." Dean clicked his tongue irritably, grabbing the pair of uniforms before turning to leave them alone. However, just as he took a few steps, he stopped. Noticing the people following him, he looked back. "Ray, what do you think you’re doing?"

Ray flashed him a bright smile. "I’m going to make sure you change and don’t sneak out."

"..." Dean clenched his teeth, his heart filling with irritation. But in the end, he complied... just like everybody else.

*****

Meanwhile...

"Wow..." Benjamin was in awe, looking at his boss in a school uniform. Zoren’s usually neatly brushed hair was let down, reaching past his thick brows. Paired with some eyeglasses and a casual backpack, Benjamin just couldn’t help but clap.

Despite Zoren’s age, he looked younger with this style. He looked very young and suited the uniform well.

"Boss! I’ve never seen you in a school uniform!" Benjamin covered his mouth, almost weeping at the sight of his boss. This wasn’t what he expected. "I never thought I would ever see a student version of you."

Tears quickly formed in the corners of Benjamin’s eyes, feeling a little emotional as if he were a mother about to send her son to his first day of school.

"I’m so proud of you, sir..." Benjamin dramatically murmured, wiping his eyes with the side of his finger. "Who would have thought this day would eventually come? I guess canceling today’s appointment and delaying a business opportunity that could earn the company another tens of billion is all worth it."

Zoren smiled, looking down at the uniform he was wearing. "It’s a little short, but it’s not so bad at all." He then snapped his eyes at Benjamin, but instead of dwelling on him, he walked away from the van, where he had changed into this uniform, back to his car.

"Ben, I’m not going to wait for you," he said when he was near the car.

Only then did Benjamin realize his boss was leaving him, not even considering how emotional Benjamin had been. Yet, he could only huff and follow his boss, who was now in a student uniform.

As for Zoren, he was looking forward to this. After all, Zoren had been homeschooled his whole life because of his health condition. So, in many ways, he was looking forward to this reunion—even though his cruel wife hadn’t invited him, despite the hints he had been throwing her way.

After all, Zoren had openly expressed how it seemed that everyone else had come into the same school, except him.

Zoren was already not part of Penny’s life in her first life, and it was unacceptable that they weren’t even schoolmates. If only he had known, he would’ve gone to the Summit School of Excellence and endured Ray’s tantrums.

******

Meanwhile...

[The Old Bennet Residence]

Stephen pulled up a few blocks away from the old Bennet Residence. Despite the cold air conditioning in the car, beads of sweat formed on his forehead. His hands on the steering wheel became sweaty as he eyed the residence from a distance.

"It’s okay," he breathed out, looking around to see if anyone was watching him. "It’s okay."

He flinched when a car suddenly drove past him. Following it with his gaze, he breathed out heavily, resting his forehead on the steering wheel, his hands gripping it tightly. His heart was thudding against his chest loudly; he could hear it in his ears.

"I have to do it," he told himself, huffing. "I have to do it now. It should be now."

Stephen slowly pulled his head from the steering wheel, looking at himself in the rearview mirror. He gulped and nodded at himself, mentally telling himself this should be done. After stabilizing his breathing, Stephen cleared his throat and mustered all his courage to start the car again.

Slowly, he drove to the gates of the old Bennet residence, stopping when the guard on duty checked who it was. The moment the new guard recognized the person driving the car, they opened the gate, letting Stephen in without any idea about Stephen’s evil plan.