6
459words
Years of hard work earned me a million followers, inspiring a new generation to join the field.
One day,surveying a Ming Dynasty temple in the countryside,I got a call from my boss.
The mountain signal was patchy,but I managed to catch that I needed to return for a dinner related to restoration funding.
Assuming it was about a grant, I rushed back, still covered in dust from the site.
Pushing open the private dining room door,I was met with enthusiastic applause.
It was for the two people at the center of the round table.
Charles and Eleanor,unseen for ten years.
Charles,in a sharp suit,hair slicked back,radiated smug air of success.
Colleagues toasted him eagerly:
“Mr.Bennett,a true pioneer!Going into business a decade ago—such vision!”
“Exactly!A big name on the coast now—philanthropist,entrepreneur,all in one!”
Charles waved modestly,but his eyes landed on me:
“No,no,my small success is all thanks to Eleanor.”
“Without her push to move to the coast,I wouldn’t have seized the opportunity.”
All eyes followed his gaze to me,awkward.
Many at the table had witnessed the wedding fiasco ten years ago.
I smiled faintly,unfazed,greeting them:
“Sorry,got held up on the road.”
Eleanor’s hand trembled,nearly dropping her glass in her nervousness.
Charles gripped her wrist tightly,raising an eyebrow at me:
“Long time no see,Professor James.”
“I was just thinking how fate works,and here you are.”
“Eleanor’s choice back then changed so many lives,didn’t it?”
Colleagues caught the mockery in his voice and laughed nervously, none daring to respond.
My boss quickly smoothed things over,urging me to sit.
He formally introduced that Charles and Eleanor planned to donate to the ancient architecture restoration foundation.
I nodded,facing them politely but distantly:
“Thank you for your contribution.”
“Mr.Bennett,after leaving the institute,your support for restoration is an honor.”
Charles,expecting less sincerity,froze,his smile stiffening.
The mood grew tense.Charles frowned,forcing a grin,and poured a full glass of liquor,raising it to me.
A toast to our past friendship and today’s reunion.
His eyes gleamed with undisguised challenge.
Eleanor tugged his sleeve,glancing at me with concern.
Everyone knew I couldn’t handle alcohol,normally abstaining.
After a few seconds’standoff,colleagues raised their glasses to Charles,trying to drown the awkwardness in noise.
My boss signaled me to take a symbolic sip.
Thinking of the project stalled by funding,I exhaled,took the glass with both hands,and downed it.
The clear liquid burned my throat,setting my body ablaze.
My face flushed, my eyes bloodshot, and I struggled to keep my balance, but I managed to speak.:
“I’m no drinker,so I’ll stop here with Mr.Bennett and everyone.”
My boss,seeing my limit,explained I’d been on a long field trip and should head home,lest my wife worry.
Eleanor jolted,eyes wide.
