Novel 543
Chapter 35
“What’s 30 thousand dollars? Last year, a player sold a piece of equipment for over 200 thousand dollars! That was equivalent to a luxury mansion!”
“Wow, are things in the game really worth that much?” Gordon felt like his worldview was about to
collapse
“They’re valuable, but it’s like playing the lottery. I’ve been playing since 2001 and haven’t made any money. Gordon, you’d better forget about making money in the game while you can!”
“I was just asking casually. I’m almost 40 years old. Where would I find the time to play games?” Gordon laughed.
“Oh, Gordon, where are you working now? Are they still hiring? I think I might be laid off soon!”
Gordon pretended to cough. “Let’s discuss that later, I have something to attend to. I’ll hang up now!” With that, he promptly ended the call.
Gordon didn’t want Hilda to know about his layoff until he found another stable job.
Hilda stared suspiciously at Gordon and asked, “What’s with this ‘talk about it later? Do you have a
mistress outside?”
Gordon didn’t react as explosively as Hilda had earlier. Instead, he grinned and replied, “Seems like you still have high expectations of me. Do you think I’m capable enough to find a mistress?
Hilda scoffed, “You’re hopeless. You’re not even as capable as our son. Can you earn these 20 thousand.
dollars?”
if my son
Gordon glanced at the 20 thousand dollars on the table and said solemnly, “Like father, like son, If
is capable, it only proves his old man is capable too!”
“Your skin is as thick as armor,” Hilda scolded, albeit with a smile.
At noon, Hilda woke Carlisle up for lunch.
Meanwhile, at the dining table, Gordon received a call from Gerard.
Gerard had decided to come to the county at the end of the month for his daughter’s graduation banquet.
“Did Kelly’s SATs results come out already?”
ET
Ts just ended yesterday. Shouldn’t the results take longer to come out?” Gordon asked, puzzled an arprised.
“Her uncle works in the Education Bureau. It wasn’t hard to check the results!” Gerard’s tone was filled with pride.
“What’s her score?” Gordon asked with a smile.
“She scored 1225, just five points shy of making it into Riverland University!” Gerard sighed.
Chapte 35
On the surface, it seemed disappointing. But, in reality, this score was enough to stimulate Gordon.
A score of 1225 was sufficient for various Tier 2 universities. It could even secure her a spot in some
lower–tier Tier 1 universities.
Gordon lamented, “What a shame! Only five points away!”
Despite his strained relationship with Gerard, Kelly was still his niece.
Gordon couldn’t help but, feel a tad sorry for her missing out on Riverland University by just five points.
Gerard interpreted Gordon’s reaction as gloating. He remarked, “We’ll have plenty of summer job openings at my construction site this year. Should I have Carl come over for some work experience?”
Gordon’s expression turned grim instantly. “No need. My son’s scores won’t be lower than your daughter’s!
Gerard chuckled softly. “It’s good to be confident. But you know Carlisle’s grades better than anyone. Listen to me. Don’t push him to retake the exam if he doesn’t pass.
“Success in education hinges on talent. Without talent, even three years of repeating won’t help. It’s better for him to start working early and earn money!”
“My family matters are none of your business, I’m hanging up!” Gordon exclaimed angrily, about to end
the call.
Initially, he had considered asking Gerard to use his connections to check Carlisle’s scores. However, after hearing Gerard’s words, he felt too embarrassed to request his assistance.
“Hold on…”
“Is there anything else?”
“I’m planning to invite some of the elders from the village to the graduation banquet at the end of the month. Can you help me with that?”
“I’m busy with work. I don’t have time,” Gordon replied in a lukewarm tone.
Help him with it?
Gerard’s request seemed like a blatant attempt to stir up gossip among the village elders.
Gerard wanted to say more, but Carlisle’s voice interrupted from the other end. “Uncle Gerard, my dad’s tied up with preparations for my graduation banquet. He really can’t spare any time!”
nded the call before Gerard could respond.
Gordon took a sip of white wine and slammed the glass onto the table.
“That idiot! He’s deliberately arranging Kelly’s graduation banquet in the county. He even invited all those village elders. He’s clearly alming to embarrass us!”
Hilda’s expression mirrored Gordon’s displeasure, The village elders were notorious gossipers. They’d surely gossip about their family if they attended Gerard’s banquet.
Unless Carlisle’s scores surpassed Kelly’s and got accepted into a Tier 1 university.
Carlisle enjoyed his roast chicken with a smile. “Who knows who’ll end up humiliated then!”
Seeing his son’s confidence, Gordon refilled his glass. “Exactly. What if my son gets into Riverland ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .
University?”
Despite his words, Gordon harbored doubts deep down.