Bitcoin Billionaire: I Regressed to Invest in the First Bitcoin!-Chapter 150: Angels and Demons

He looked down, staring at the piece of chicken in his hand. Penelope watched him with a smile on her face. "What are you thinking?"

He glanced at her and chuckled, shaking his head. "No it's nothing. I just realized how small the world really is."

"You're right," she agreed, smiling warmly. "It is that way sometimes."

They fell into a rhythm, comparing the two branches — BUBL and BUMH. Darren talked about the heavy academic focus at BUBL, the aggressive competition. Penelope spoke about BUMH's relentless grind, the internships, the exams, the nonstop rush to prove yourself in hospitals and labs.

As the conversation lulled, Penelope leaned her head on her knees, looking at him thoughtfully. "How is it... with your colleagues? Last time we talked you spoke about that Terry Wilson guy and others. I mean... Have you mended things with anyone?"

Darren exhaled through his nose, his eyes growing distant. "Not really. In fact, one of them and I just finished a pretty major battle over the software you mentioned."

"Tamara Johnstone?"

"That's the one."

After sighing, he shook his head. "College wasn't exactly the best time for me, you know. Most of them looked down on me back then. Like I was nothing."

He stared at the ground for a moment, a small, almost bitter smile tugging at his mouth. "I don't want to believe that people just forget those kinds of things because what — we're adults now?"

Penelope offered a soft, understanding smile. "I get it," she said quietly. "That's why I try so hard to be good to everyone now. I don't want enemies. I don't want regrets in the future."

Darren looked at her — really looked — and the innocence she carried glowed in the twilight.

In Penelope's face, he saw something pure — the same pureness he'd always seem, though it appeared more pronounced now. Having her around had been good for him. She was hopeful... and it bled into him.

However, she was also heartbreakingly fragile.

Darren let out a quiet chuckle. "Even then, Penny," he said gently, "you'll still make enemies. You'll still have regrets. Even if they aren't your fault. You have to be ready for that."

His voice dropped, almost a whisper. "That's just how life works. Doesn't matter if you're as kind as an angel. Somewhere out there, there's a demon who'll hate you for it."

Penelope stared at him, admiration sparkling in her eyes. To her, at that moment, Darren didn't look like a tired CEO carrying the weight of a company.

He looked like a quiet warrior — tired, yes, but wise. Calm. Strong. Someone who had faced storms and kept walking forward.

Without thinking, she gave him a soft shoulder nudge.

"I guess it's your turn to lecture me now, huh?" she teased, cheeks slightly pink.

Darren chuckled, a low, rich sound. "That's what a good husband does," he joked.

Penelope gasped softly, her face flushing red. "Stop saying that!"

She curled up, hiding her burning cheeks against her knees, like a bashful anime girl caught off-guard.

Darren laughed again, amused by how easily she flustered.

After a peaceful silence where only the distant rustle of trees and the quiet chirping of crickets filled the air, Penelope spoke again, more seriously.

"Seriously though... Are you just going to avoid them forever? You're all in the same industry now. You're going to cross paths sooner or later, don't you think?"

Darren exhaled. "Sooner, probably."

He leaned back, rubbing the back of his neck. "We have a reunion coming up. Friday night."

Penelope shot upright, her hair bouncing. "What? Really?"

He nodded, indifferent. "Yeah. I wasn't really planning to go, honestly."

"What?!" she said again, louder. She turned toward him, earnest. "You have to go, Darren! This is your chance! Show them you're not the same guy they looked down on."

Darren raised an eyebrow. "I have thought of going but it's just... It feels like... if I go then it's just me trying to prove myself, and that shows I was affected. Like I'm admitting they got to me."

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"So what?" she said brightly. "You were affected. And sulking about it isn't going to help you heal."

She grinned mischievously. "But the look on their faces when they see you now? That would help a lot."

Darren looked at her and laughed — a short, real laugh — at the way she put it.

"I'm serious!" she insisted, laughing a little too. "You can't just hide from them forever. Go there. Show them the man you've become."

He sighed heavily, but there was a tiny smile playing on his lips.

"Fine, fine. I'll go."

Penelope beamed, clapping her hands together. "Good! Now — next step! We need to figure out what you're going to wear."

His brow shot up at her. "What are you on about? I have clothes."

She snorted. "Not the right clothes. Nothing you have now is... big enough for what you're going to do that night. You need something new. Something classy. Something that says, 'I'm way out of your league.'"

Darren shook his head, chuckling. "Even at that, it's late, Penny. Shops are closed."

She jumped up, grabbing the lunchbox and stuffing everything back inside. "Exactly why it's the best time to go shopping! Come on!"

Laughing despite himself, Darren let her grab his wrist and pull him up as the park worker, distant in the background, started flicking off the lamps one by one.

Together, the two of them disappeared into the evening — a small, golden-haired whirlwind dragging a dark-suited storm along behind her.