Severin's face soured at the sight of the grinning Timothy Tanner. He forced a smile. "What's with you two?"

Quinn grinned triumphantly. "Can't you see? We're married! We eloped soon after graduation. Shame you couldn't make the wedding, but we understood—you were in prison."

Severin's expression darkened. Despite their smiles, Timothy and Quinn radiated a sense of superiority, likely stemming from Severin's past academic success and student council presidency.

"Where are you headed, Severin?" Timothy asked.

"The Richemont Hotel," Severin replied casually.

"Lucy's wedding? Hop in!" Timothy smiled. "Don't worry about your clothes. Experience the Audi!"

Severin's brows furrowed, then he smiled coldly and entered the car. "I've never been in an Audi before. Real leather?" He touched the back seat. "Wow, it's soft!"

"Look at you, a country bumpkin! This car cost tens of thousands!"

Timothy drove proudly. "Stop touching it! Can you afford to repair a scratch?"

Severin smiled. "I prefer helicopters. That was my usual transport when they released me."

Quinn, in the passenger seat, nearly choked on her water. She recapped her bottle and turned. "A helicopter? Hilarious!"

She studied Severin. "Those are your college clothes, Severin. They don't fit, and is that a new haircut?"

Timothy added, "The Richemont Hotel is one of the city's finest. You should pay attention to your image, Severin. A new suit, pants, and shoes are expensive, but a haircut's cheap."

Severin chuckled. "I planned on new clothes, but things got in the way. I don't care about such things anyway."

"Just admit you're poor," Timothy sneered. "Better than pretending."

Quinn snickered. "Women like us have it easy. We look good, find a rich husband."

Timothy retorted, "That's not nice, Quinn. Would you have married me if I were poor?"

"Duh. Do you want to be poor with me?" Quinn rolled her eyes, her gaze settling on Severin with clear implication.

Timothy chuckled. "Regret it now, Severin? Easton's rich, yet you fought him. Look at me! I used Quinn's friendship with Lucy, cozied up to Easton, and he started a company for me. Now I'm a multi-millionaire!" He beamed. "This car's soon beneath me. An A8 is next. It's all about showing off wealth and status!"

Severin sighed. Five years had turned his classmates materialistic and snobbish.

Quinn mused, "Timothy, Severin's jobless, fresh out of prison. He could be your security guard."

"No way," Timothy said. "An ex-convict? Terrible impression! And he's skinny. I need intimidating guys—tall, strong, scary."

Quinn, curious, asked Severin, "Tried getting on Lucy's good side? You were together for three years! Maybe Easton could help you out?"

Severin clenched his fist. "Ridiculous! I don't need that bastard's help! He's not worthy of carrying my shoes!"

Quinn sided with her friend. "You can't blame Lucy. Why wait for you when Easton's so rich and powerful?"

Severin gritted his teeth. "It's not about waiting. It's that she's with the man who assaulted her! She also refused to refund my dowry, sold our home to Easton for half price, had him intimidate my parents, and then demanded more money from them! I'll get even!"

Quinn gasped. "You're not going to wreck the wedding, are you?"

Timothy, equally alarmed, braked. "Seriously, Severin? I thought you were going to say goodbye to Lucy. If you're going to cause trouble, I can't drive you."

Severin smiled faintly. "Relax. I'm not going to the wedding. Just looking at them disgusts me. I have dinner at the Richemont; a private room."

Timothy stared. "Who invited you? Are you lying? Who'd invite you to such a place?" He realized that causing trouble at the wedding would be suicidal; offending the Loughs was dangerous. "His name is HenryHenry Longhorn!" Severin said calmly.

"Henry Longhorn?" Timothy and Quinn exchanged shocked glances. "You're kidding! Henry!"

"Yeah. He's old. Why the surprise?" Severin remained indifferent.