Reborn in America: Starting as a California Resident

After the meal, Henry took Liam and the other three to his current private school, Monte Vista Christian School.

This academic sanctuary, founded in 1926, occupies 15 miles of the most precious coastline in Northern California.

To the east, you can overlook the neon lights of Silicon Valley's chip empire; to the west, you can share the tidal rhythm with the Seventeen Mile Golden Beach.

其经纬度坐标（36°35'36"N 121°53'12"W）被写进《加州教育法典》特别条款：任何商业飞行器不得低于3000英尺掠过校区上空。

"Boss, we're crossing the Leland Stanford Memorial Forest."

Driver Liam slowed down, and the shadows of the century-old redwoods flowed across the bulletproof windows.

This forest, named after the railroad tycoon, was a property gifted by the founder of Stanford University in 1893 in exchange for his grandson's admission to the university.

Today, each tree has a brass plate engraved with the alumni's names buried beneath it, much like the Pantheon of Silicon Valley.

The main buildings of the school are constructed using the same granite as the Hoover Dam, and were funded by the Getty Foundation.

The stained-glass windows of the Gothic library depict the scene of the Puritans landing;

The equestrian center next to the sports field houses 12 Arabian thoroughbred horses, with the saddles and leather saddles branded with the school emblem—crossed olive branches and wafers, symbolizing the fusion of California's traditional agriculture and emerging technology.

As a founding member of the WASC accreditation system and a permanent board member of ACSI, Montevideo holds several records: its average SAT score has consistently ranked among the top three among church-affiliated high schools in the United States.

In 1977, it was named a "cradle of CEOs" by The Wall Street Journal;

Its alumni fund is even larger than that of half of the Ivy League schools.

Every September, dignitaries from Sacramento to Santiago send their children here, much like medieval lords offering their young sons to monasteries.

When the car came to a smooth stop in front of the Renaissance-style clock tower, Henry deftly pulled out a Camel cigarette, lit it with a "snap," took a deep drag, and turned to look at Liam, saying with a hint of helplessness and trepidation, "Hey, Liam, what do you think I should say as my first words when I see Mrs. Jacqueline?"

I'm really not sure about this.

Although it wasn't the first time Henry had come here to ask for leave, every time he looked up at the colorful stained glass window in the direction of the principal's office, his heart still couldn't help but pound, and he felt inexplicably scared.

Mrs. Jacqueline, a renowned educator who graduated from the Department of Classics at Wellesley College, always followed the strict rules of Homer's epics in her conduct.

No matter which student comes to talk to her, the first thing they have to do when they enter the room is to obediently hand over their report card.

Students with good grades receive exceptional treatment; they are not only welcomed with a beaming smile, but also have an easy time asking for leave to go out and play.

But if their grades are mediocre, then they're in big trouble; all they'll get is a barrage of harsh reprimands.

Previously, Henry had been favored by Mrs. Jacqueline because of his outstanding academic performance and his family's wealth and background.

But recently he has been taking too many days off, and this highly respected old lady has long been visibly unhappy.

When Henry asked for leave last time, he clearly felt her warning—in this top university that has produced three Nobel laureates, the status of intellectual aristocracy is far more noble than any petrodollar lineage.

"Hey boss, we're out of ideas too. We can only wish you good luck."

Liam and the others wore helpless smiles, spreading their hands and shrugging their shoulders.

Everyone knows that the principal of Montiveta School is notoriously strict and has a firm rule.

Seeing this, Henry could only sigh silently, casually toss the cigarette butt aside, and then stomp it out heavily with his toe, as if to crush the troubles in his heart as well: "Fine, I knew it would turn out like this."

"You all get in the car and wait for me. I'll be back as soon as possible."

After saying that, he walked towards the office building without looking back. His back view was exactly like that of a brave warrior going to the battlefield, never to return.

When Henry raised his hand to knock on the principal's office door and pushed it open, a suffocatingly oppressive atmosphere hit him, just as he had expected.

Grandma Jacqueline sat behind her desk, her hair white, her face dotted with age spots typical of the elderly, her posture slightly hunched, exuding an aura that commanded respect.

From the moment Henry entered until he sat down, the old lady only said "Come in" coldly and then remained silent, staring intently at him with her sharp eyes, just like a vigilant old witch guarding a treasure in a fairy tale.

"Mr. Henry Getty, are you back to report for duty?"

After a long while, the old lady finally spoke, her tone devoid of any warmth, saying bluntly, "If you're here to report back from leave, then I warmly welcome you. You can go back to class now."

Uh……

Henry was prepared to ask for leave again, but Mrs. Jacqueline's retort choked him up.

He knew that the old lady was reluctant to let him leave school for an extended period because she thought he was a promising talent and hoped that he could focus on his studies, enter a prestigious university, and shine on the vast world stage of America.

But he was incredibly miserable inside, because he was a time traveler!

Who can understand the agony of having countless opportunities to get rich quickly in one's mind, but being trapped on campus because of one's young age and various school regulations, watching those opportunities slip away helplessly?

If he had had that wasted time, his wealth would have multiplied many times over!

As Dong Ge once said: Why are so many people in this society so obsessed with money that they are almost insane?

It's because as long as you make money, you can immediately gain high social recognition.

No matter how dishonest your methods of making money are, no one will say, "You're so unethical, so wicked." They'll just think that money makes you powerful and arrogant.

Henry glanced at Mrs. Jacqueline with some frustration. This was why he had been reluctant to face her—he knew she genuinely cared about him, but the old lady simply didn't understand his true feelings!

The atmosphere in the office froze instantly; it was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

In order not to hurt the kind lady's feelings, Henry gritted his teeth and decided to play the emotional card.

His eyes quickly reddened, followed by a soft sob: "Mrs. Jacqueline, as you know, my family's situation is quite special."

My father, George, committed suicide a few years ago. Now our whole family is being supported by my mother and sister who are struggling to make ends meet.

As you know, in our society, women are generally at a disadvantage compared to men.

I'm eighteen years old this year, and as the only man in my family, it's time for me to shoulder my share of responsibility.

The family business and the entire family depend on me.

"Oh, my poor child, it breaks my heart to hear about Mr. George Getty."

Grandma Jacqueline's eyes softened considerably as she looked at Henry with heartache. "Of course I understand how difficult it is for you, otherwise I wouldn't have tolerated you always missing classes."

But child, you need to understand that twelfth grade is a crucial turning point in your life.

Although you did exceptionally well on the SAT, it is only a small part of your overall academic journey.

Besides this, there are AP courses, extracurricular activities...

While these things cannot determine your future path, they are still important factors in life.

As she spoke, old Mrs. Jacqueline sighed softly, as if she were weighing something in her mind.

After a moment, she slowly stood up from behind her desk, walked to Henry's side, gently patted his shoulder, and said earnestly, "I understand your situation, Henry."

But you really need to plan for your future.

If you insist and can guarantee it won't affect your studies, I can approve your leave again. However, this time, I hope you can meet the minimum requirements I set for you.

Upon hearing this, a glimmer of hope flashed in Henry's eyes, and he quickly looked up and asked, "I will do my best to do so, Mrs. Jacqueline."

Thank you so much!