Chapter 699
Aethelgard University campus.
That afternoon, after their classes ended, Mira and the group spent some time monitoring the live-trading trends as usual. Once they wrapped up their daily operations, she called over Harvey and the others.
“Thanks for having my back today. Let’s head to the Solflare Grand Hotel—dinner’s on me p>
Although they weren’t trained fighters, the sheer courage it took to jump into the fray was commendable. Facing off against professional bodyguards meant they had all undoubtedly taken a few solid hits.
If Mira hadn’t been capable of defending herself, or if her own detail had been subpar, her classmates’ intervention would have at least bought enough time for campus security and the faculty to arrive.
For that, Mira felt she had to show her gratitude.
“We’re classmates and friends. You’ve taught us so much already; stepping up was the least we could do. No thanks needed p>
“Come on, let’s just treat it as a victory celebration p>
At the mention of a celebration, everyone readily agreed.
Just as they were about to leave, Leah spoke up. “I’ve got something else to do, so I’ll pass p>
Mira had a pretty good idea of what she was implying. Unbothered, she left with Elara, Harvey, Reece, and the rest of the group.
On the way, Elara asked Mira, “Is Leah trying to draw a line between us p>
“Let her draw whatever line she wants. It doesn’t make a difference whether she’s here or not p>
Normally, the mere mention of a free meal would have had Leah buzzing with excitement. Even if she actually had plans, she would have dropped them in a heartbeat.
During dinner, Mira transferred a cool ten thousand dollars to each of the five classmates who had joined the brawl.
“Consider this ten grand a fund for new laptops. I know some of you don’t have your own setups yet, and since we’re computer science majors, it’s an absolute necessity p>
As far as Mira knew, Zachary didn’t own one and usually had to borrow his roommate’s.
“No, really, we can’t. We hardly did anything. It wouldn’t feel right to take your money p>
“Regardless of how much you helped, the fact that you stepped up makes you my friends.
Besides, this money didn’t come out of my pocket. The Lance family paid up for medical bills and emotional distress. Since you took punches on my behalf, you’re naturally entitled to a cut.
From now on, if any of you run into trouble, just say the word. If it’s in my power, I’ll have your backs p>
None of them were earning a living
yet, and relying on their parents for a modest allowance meant most of the students were constantly
strapped for cash.
No matter what choices they might make in the future, in that specific moment, they
had been true friends, and Mira considered it a favor she owed them.
Naturally, Mira didn’t offer Elara any money, as she hadn’t participated in the fight.
Wealth wasn’t an excuse to hand out cash indiscriminately.
Rewards and boundaries had to be clear, even among friends.
Later that night, Reece’s roommates bombarded him with questions. “Did Mira really treat you guys to a massive feast p>
“Yeah p>
“Man, I’m so jealous. When will we ever get the chance to gorge ourselves at the Solflare Grand Hotel p>
“We didn’t just get a free meal. She gave us a cash bonus, too p>
“Whoa, seriously? How much p>
Reece held up a single finger.
“A thousand? That’s incredibly generous. That’s a whole month’s living expenses p>
“No. Ten thousand p>
“What? That much? If I knew taking
a few punches would net me ten
grand would’ve jumped in too
Working a part-time job is a
nightmare in comparison p>
“Then why didn’t you step up this morning? Our classmate was getting bullied, and
you just stood there watching p>
“Weren’t those professional bodyguards terrifying p>
“Let me tell you a secret: those bodyguards wouldn’t dare kill a student. They
wouldn’t even risk causing severe injuries p>
“Why not p>
“Because marching into a university to assault students in broad daylight is already
a massive liability.
If they put someone in the hospital,
the public backlash would
completely destroy them. Why would they create that kind of scandal for their employers? One wrong move, and they’d be locked up themselves.