Bitcoin Billionaire: I Regressed to Invest in the First Bitcoin!-Chapter 159: College Reunion (1)

In life and in the state of Calivernia itself, one thing that was ever present was competition.

The struggle for victory. And what defined victory?

Claiming power.

What defined power?

Money. Status. Property.

Everyone was measured based on these three metrics: What you are worth. Who you are. And What you own.

It was the same in Calivernia. Maybe even more profound.

Multiple businesses and companies clashed in this state, fighting to be the top when measured by these metrics. This was why being an Empire Company was such a big deal, a respected accomplishment that gave status.

Because of this competition, Calivernia became the bedrock of the corporate world and of high end businesses.

In fact, one of the most powerful in the entire United States hailed from the big C.

Moon Enterprises.

For other names, Morrison's®, The Bordeaux Corporation, Golden Hay Empire, Horizon Strategies, Sinclair Group, Zurich Group, Dawn Group, The Nelson Foundation, Sagomoto Offices, PenWealth, Franchise Hotels & Casinos, and many many more.

They all reigned supreme all over the country and they competed in Calivernia.

Now, the families and owners of these companies didn't have any intention of letting their companies die off, fade into the ether and be forgotten.

So, they entrusted their children with it. They sent their children to business schools with the hope that one day, they could take over what they have built and even take the companies to better heights.

That was why there was so much competition, rivalry and gloating in Brookfield University of Business and Literature.

As the top business university in CA, many children of these powerful people schooled there and were forced to meet and socialize with children of their parents' rivals.

They did it, of course, with smiles on their faces. But they knew that one day, after they graduated, those smiles would be gone and there would no longer be any such things as friends.

It had been a while since the graduation. And it was clear to mostly everyone that this reunion was a chance for them to scope each other out, see who was successful, and who wasn't.

It was a big deal.

One of the Golden Hay Hotels was the location for the event. The building gleamed like a jewel under the evening sky, its grand facade glowing in golden hues that bathed the long line of luxury vehicles pulling into the entrance.

When Darren Steele's lambo rolled into the front driveway, the valets nearly forgot their training for a moment. Eyes widened, whispers flitted through the evening air.

"That's... that's a Reventón right?" one valet murmured.

"Holy hell... That costs like two million..."

"And they're limited!"

Ignoring the attention, Darren slid out of the driver's seat with casual precision.

He adjusted Penelope's hand picked suit, and when he saw his reflection on a glass door, he had to agree with his mother about Penny's taste in suits.

As he handed the valet his keys, the man stumbled over his words.

"W-Welcome to Golden Hay, sir."

Darren gave a polite nod and moved on, letting the murmurs follow him into the lobby.

Inside, the ballroom was already buzzing, though the reunion had only just begun.

Waiters in crisp uniforms passed around glasses of champagne. Guests milled around in small groups, exchanging half-hearted greetings and sizing each other up — old college instincts of social sorting never truly died.

Darren's steps were steady, unhurried. His presence was starting to draw eyes. Some faces turned toward him with faint recognition but hesitated, unsure if it was really him.

He noticed it but paid no mind.

The first familiar face he consciously acknowledged was Alison Parker.

She was standing near one of the towering floral arrangements, a glass of wine cradled nervously in her hands. She wore a sparkling navy dress that was so stunning.

It had silver crystals on its color and sleeves that reflected the light, almost blinding Darren when he looked at them.

Darren wondered if she had spent the entire 200 thousand on that dress. He wouldn't be surprised if she had.

Her blonde hair was pulled into a neat, professional bun, with a silver rose bolting it tight.

However, despite how stunning she looked, there was an anxious stiffness in her shoulders that Darren quickly noticed.

He made his way over.

Alison spotted him at the last moment, her eyes widening before she quickly smoothed her expression into something between a smile and a grimace.

"Darren… wow," she breathed, staring at his clothing — his body — and then looking up at him. "You're... you're early too?"

"Guess I am," Darren said, his voice low and even.

They stood there for a second — two former classmates, now strangers threading through the awkwardness.

"You look... different," Alison offered, trying for small talk. "I know I've said that before but you just seem to look better and better each time I see you."

Darren sunk a hand in his pocket. "Thank you, and... you also look good."

Alison laughed nervously and shifted her drink from one hand to the other. "Ha! Ha! Th— Thank you, Darren. And hey, I heard some things about Steele Investments. You're doing good."

"Getting by," he said simply.

"There you go again. Trying to make a small deal out of a big one," she chuckled. "You're really so different now, Darren Steele."

A waiter passed, and Darren grabbed a glass of champagne, taking a slow sip. "Thank you, again. And how are you doing?"

"Mhm?" she opened her eyes wide like she hadn't expected the question, then she nodded her head. "I'm okay. Everything's... okay."

Darren narrowed his eyes. "Are you sure? Alison if you're having issues with hi—"

Before he could finish his speech, he heard some noise. More people had started entering the party hall.

Darren moved his head slightly, observing.

Already, old cliques were reforming in subtle ways — little circles of former classmates clustering together, animated and loud, others lingering uncertainly on the fringes.

An overweight former football captain was loudly recounting his "biggest deals" since college. Two women Darren vaguely remembered from accounting classes clutched each other and pointed at people's jewelry, whispering judgments.

It was just like back then.

Except now, the currency wasn't popularity.

It was money. Status. Real power.

Darren's gaze swept across the room and at that moment, the heavy doors to the ballroom stage swung open.

Heads turned instinctively.

They could all hear the deep purr of an engine outside, then a beautiful white Audi R8 drove into the stage!

The unmistakable strut of Tyler Mooney had entered the hall.

The car stopped at the stage and Tyler burst out the door with cheers from everyone present and hands in the sky.

He wore a glinting blue suit that was trying too hard to say, "I'm rich and important." His watch flashed gold every time he adjusted his cuff. His smug smile stretched wide as his entourage followed him, laughing too loud at jokes not yet told.

"How are you all doing, mother fuckers!"

Darren's heart stopped beating for a while, and everyone suddenly moved in slow motion.

Tyler Mooney.

He hadn't seen this sucker's face ever since his death. And now, here was, flaunting his car and his watch on a stage.

Darren swore that if he had a gun right now he would—

He snapped out of those thoughts and his attention shifted... Then time tightened again.

What were the chances?

Lily Smithers had just entered the party.

Perfect timing.

She moved quietly compared to the others, no entourage, no fanfare. Just the soft tap of her black stilettos against the marble floor.

Her dress was — even though Darren did not want to say — stunning. It was a sleek black gown that hugged her figure without being vulgar. Her blonde hair swept gracefully over one shoulder, exposing the delicate line of her neck. Her posture was perfect: poised, distant, untouchable.

For a heartbeat, their eyes met across the room.

Lily's lips parted slightly, an unconscious breath escaping her.

Then — she looked away quickly, pretending she hadn't seen him at all, vanishing into the crowd.

Darren set his jaw. His fingers tightened minutely around the champagne glass.

So she came after all.

A soft laugh by the corner distracted him.

Darren noticed a few former classmates gossiping, their gazes darting toward Lily's disappearing figure.

"Is she still dating someone?" one whispered.

"Who would want to date her now?" another murmured. "Her father's business crumbled."

"God, the drama. I heard it was her own boyfriend that ruined her father's company."

Darren raised a brow. Then, he felt a soft palm on his hand. Allison's.

"Don't listen to them, gossiping is all they are good for."

Darren looked at her and then her palm on his hand. "Thanks."

She smiled once. It was an almost sad smile. "Alright now. I have to go. Catch you later."

"Alright."

He watched her leave with a thought in his mind. There was definitely something going on with her.