Halfway through, the class leader suddenly turned to me. "Griffin, come on, we’ve finally all gathered together. How can you just leave early? Come on, sit back down. Let’s have a drink together and catch up properly."
I knew the class leader was trying to smooth things over for me, but my time was really running out. "Sorry, I know I’m ruining the mood, but I truly have something I need to take care of."
"There’s a whole group of people in the office waiting for me to get back for a meeting."
I had barely finished speaking when Malcolm slammed his glass down. "Griffin, cut the act. You’re just a low-level civil servant. What kind of meeting could you possibly have to attend?"
"So you’re saying a whole group of people is waiting for you? Do you really think you’re some kind of leader now? I was being polite, calling you a civil servant. Without that, you’re just another lousy worker. Got it?"
I was just about to retort when the class leader quickly grabbed my hand, whispering a plea. "Griffin, I think you’d better apologize to Malcolm. The Fitzroy Family is a leading enterprise here in Langston City. If you offend him, you might lose your job. Sometimes, it’s better to just endure."