Darius smiled at their anxious looks and rapped his knuckles on the table. “Alright, I’m just pulling your legs. I’m the one who still has things to do—I haven’t had time to bother about the company lately. Look at all the documents piled up here.”

His subordinates cheered at his words, and he shook his head in amusement. He watched as Erin skipped out of the room, then noticed Pearl standing at the door. He asked, “Has something happened?”

Her eyes were red and tear-filled before she spoke, making Darius frown. Despite being reluctant to put aside work, he got up. However, Pearl shook her head to stop him and said hoarsely, “It’s nothing. W-We’ve just been expelled…” She couldn’t bring herself to continue.

Darius’ brows furrowed. “What happened for us to deserve expulsion?” He clenched his fists tightly. Now, he knew how tough it’d be for him to be accepted as a genuine member of the Reid family, let alone head it in the future.

Though he didn’t think being unable to graduate from