Chapter 122: The Party (Bonus - 3/5)

Matt had been talking nonstop since they left his house. He was animated, his voice carrying a mix of excitement and nervous anticipation."It’s not just any party, Liam," he said, leaning slightly forward in his seat as if to emphasize the point. "It’s a graduation celebration, but the kind you don’t forget. Private house, private guest list. You’ll see everyone there — UCLA grads, a handful from Harvard, kids of CEOs, heirs, socialites. Some you’ll recognize and others, you’ll wish you didn’t."

Liam arched a brow and smirked. "Sounds like a zoo."

Matt laughed. "Not far from it. The atmosphere’s casual on the surface, but underneath? Everyone’s sizing everyone else up. Some try too hard to act like they don’t care, others get wild — drinking, making scenes, trying to outshine one another. It’s competitive energy, but fun competitive. Within moderation."

"Within moderation?" Liam asked, amused.

"Yeah. Nobody wants their family’s name dragged through mud the next morning. So you get people pushing the line, but rarely crossing it. Expensive champagne, loud music, luxury cars stacked up outside. You’ll see what I mean when we get there."

"You sound like you’ve been to plenty," Liam said, studying him.

Matt shrugged with a crooked grin, as he replied, "I’ve been dragged into a few. It’s less about wanting to go and more about... survival. These are the circles we’re expected to swim in. Everyone’s just trying to blow off steam before reality slams down. After tonight, most of them will be handed off to internships, firms, or whatever dynasties their families run. For a lot of people, this is the last night they can pretend to be free."

Liam nodded in understanding when he heard this. He was already aware of how constrained kids from wealthy and affluent families are. Especially with the expectations on them and the immense pressure to succeed and surpass their parents. Though he can’t relate to that, but he understands how overwhelming the pressure to succeed is, because he had been facing it until a month ago.

Now, though, the system had lifted him to a different plane. Still, he couldn’t help but feel a bit of empathy for these kids.

Liam was actually looking forward to the party. It will be his first actual party and he was curious to see how it will go, though he was aware that he was going to be in for one hell of a ride.

***

The Rolls Royce Ghost Black Badge slowed to a crawl, turning into a wide driveway lit by golden lamps. The rumble of engines and the flash of headlights spilled across the front lawn where cars were lined up in perfect rows.

Nick eased the Ghost to a stop, the car purring before falling into silence.

Liam glanced through the tinted glass. He could already tell this wasn’t an ordinary "house party."

Luxury vehicles stretched as far as he could see—Ferraris in crimson, a Bentleys, Bugatti, Maserati, McLaren, Aston Martin, Lamborghinis...

The place didn’t look like a driveway anymore but a showroom.

Mason moved to open the door, but Matt was already halfway out, grinning as he turned back. "Come on, let’s make an entrance."

Liam followed, stepping onto the stone-paved drive. The night air was filled with the bass coming from inside the mansion. The scent of expensive cologne, perfume, and faint traces of cigar smoke hung over the crowd milling about near the entrance.

Mason hovered for a moment, about to get out of the car but Liam raised a hand.

"Not this time."

His voice was firm but not unkind. Bringing guards inside someone else’s home and to a party would look like arrogance, and Liam didn’t want that reputation.

Mason inclined his head, stepping back into the shadows near the car.

Liam adjusted his jacket and glanced around. Already, he felt eyes on him. Groups of students clustered near the lawn, drinks in hand, with their laughter cutting through the music.

More than a few paused mid-sentence, watching him and Matt. Their expressions flickered between curiosity and calculation.

Who’s he? he could almost hear them whisper. Which family? What’s he driving?

Liam’s senses stretched further without conscious thought. Even with the music and chatter, he could hear fragments.

"...that’s the Ghost, right? Rolls Royce Ghost Black Badge. No way Matt’s driving that."

"...never seen him before... is he from New York?"

"His family must be extremely wealthy to be able to allow him to bring such a car here."

Liam smiled to himself and said nothing.

"Ignore them. They’ll gossip no matter what," Matt said, as he patted his shoulder.

They started walking toward the entrance. Just as they reached the steps, the door opened and a girl stepped out.

She smiled as she passed them, but then her eyes widened. She froze, staring at Liam as if she’d just seen a headline step out of her phone. Before either of them could react, she spun on her heel and planted herself directly in front of them.

Liam and Matt both stopped, surprised.

Her gaze fixed on Liam, searching his face. "Wait—are you him? The Liam everyone’s been talking about lately? Bellemere Mansion Liam? The one with the McLaren P1 LM variant?"

Matt choked back a laugh when heard this, with a grin spreading across his face. Liam turned his head and gave him a long, flat look. Matt only shrugged, clearly enjoying himself.

Liam exhaled quietly and nodded.

The girl’s face lit up immediately.

"Unbelievable. I’ve always wanted to meet you!" She thrust out her hand eagerly. "I’m Sara. I run a digital platform—articles, profiles, opinion pieces. We’ve written about you, actually. If you’d ever consider letting me interview you..."

Liam shook his head almost instantly. "No interviews."

Her enthusiasm faltered, but she caught herself and smiled again. "Fair enough. Worth a try. Sorry for stopping you—please, enjoy the party."

She stepped aside, and Liam and Matt continued forward. But the damage was done. Behind them, voices rippled like sparks catching fire.

"...that was him? Seriously?"

"No way, that’s Bellemere Mansion guy? At this party?"

"...did you see his watch? That’s seven figures easy."

"...forget the cars, forget the house—that face alone could fund a brand deal."

Inside, Liam could even hear his own name whispered among girls clustered near the hallway, giggling and whispering like schoolchildren.

Matt leaned closer, smirking. "Your popularity’s getting out of hand."

Liam shook his head, smiling wryly. "Don’t start."

They passed through the entryway and into the mansion proper. The sight that greeted them made Liam pause.

**"

The living room had been transformed into a glowing arena of youth and wealth.

Chandeliers sparkled overhead, their light refracting against glass and polished marble. A DJ booth in the corner throbbed with bass, electronic beats pulsing across the space.

Expensive champagne bottles gleamed in ice buckets, their golden labels catching the light. Waitstaff moved between groups with trays of glasses, weaving through the shifting tide of conversation and laughter.

Clusters of students lounged on designer sofas, while others danced near the open patio doors that spilled onto a garden lit with fairy lights. Beyond the glass, Liam could see more cars parked along the private road, their silhouettes sharp against the night.

The air was thick with perfume, alcohol, and the raw energy of a hundred young adults celebrating as though tomorrow didn’t exist.

Liam let his eyes wander, quietly taking it all in. The luxury was familiar, but the energy was new. This was his first real party, and it was every bit the spectacle Matt had promised.

Matt grinned beside him, clearly in his element. "Welcome to the jungle."

"One hell of a jungle," Liam said, with the corner of his mouth curving up in amusement.

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