As a public figure, Calin Ricci's fans were greatly displeased.
"Our nation's goddess will not be used as a substitute for some unknown girl!"
"What era is this?! Calin, if you're being held hostage, forced into an engagement you don't want, be brave and tell us! Or at least wear pink in your next livestream as a signal!"
"What are you all clamouring about? These are baseless rumours! I refuse to believe Shin Keir would use another woman as a substitute. Besides, KGG already clarified before there's nothing going on between Shin and Calin!"
"Comment above, please. You're just another misogynist like Shin Keir. You know nothing about him, but everyone knows his overbearing behaviour."
Soon, netizens split into two camps: the Calin Ricci fanatics and Shin Keir's worshippers, who fought passionately as if the fate of the nation depended on it.
Then a single comment fanned the flames even more:
"I don't know about Calin Ricci, but I can confirm Shin Keir really has a fiancée. Something happened at Neri Medical Hospital recently. They blocked off the whole area, but I overheard the police talking that the person involved was Shin Keir's fiancée."
Seconds later, the user was buried under a landslide of replies, some demanding details, some begging for gossip, and others simply dying to know what had happened at Neri Hospital.
---
"Are you certain about this information?"
Master Nafplion's hands trembled around the documents he was holding.
Across from him, his assistant stood stiffly, sweat sliding down his temples. "No doubt, Master Nafplion. According to our private investigator trailing Master Zhi, he had already met with Shin Keir twice last week."
Master Nafplion flipped through the photos and short video clips, some with Shin Keir and Yeri Zhi together. Or Klaus Zhi having a conversation with Shin Keir, looking far too familiar.
A heavy stone dropped into his gut.
Shin Keir and Yeri Zhi… dating? And if Klaus Zhi was involved, then this was definitely not something simple.
No wonder Shin Keir's sudden appearance at the Zhi household didn't shock the Zhi couple at the time.
But what he couldn't understand was:
Had Shin Keir dropped his IQ somewhere?
Why would he date a girl from a third-tier family and a sickly one at that? What was he getting out of this?
Still… considering the already tense relationship between him and the Zhi family, Shin Keir meddling now would be extremely disadvantageous.
After a long moment of pacing, he finally ordered, "Tell them to continue the investigation. I refuse to believe someone like Shin Keir is serious about Yeri Zhi. I want to know what deal Klaus made with him. That cunning old fox must have something on Shin Keir, something worth exploiting."
The assistant bowed quickly and rushed out.
Left alone, Master Nafplion's anger surged. If everything in his study hadn't been expensive antiques or rare collectibles, he would've already shattered half the room.
Just then, Madam Nafplion entered with a tray of tea. Unfortunately for her, she walked in at the worst possible moment.
Without warning, he slapped her.
Madam Nafplion gasped, the tray crashing to the floor. She clutched her reddening cheek, stunned. "Wh-what's the matter with you?!"
Master Nafplion jabbed a finger at her nose. "It's because of you and that useless son of yours! If he hadn't destroyed his reputation, would we need to lower ourselves and force this engagement with the Zhis?! How did you raise such a good-for-nothing?! No first-tier or even second-tier family wants him! Even an illegitimate girl ran away rather than get engaged to him, she'd rather elope with a commoner than marry into this family!"
Madam Nafplion bit her tongue. He wasn't wrong. They had arranged a marriage with the illegitimate daughter of a second-tier family, but the girl fled with her long-time boyfriend before anything could be finalized.
Afterwards, they tried reviving the old engagement pact with the Zhis… which, of course, failed spectacularly.
"H-how about we talk to the Zhis again?" she suggested timidly. "What happened before was just a misunderstanding. Surely they won't be so petty as to hold a grudge?"
That only infuriated him further, he kicked her this time.
"Do you know what the relationship is between Shin Keir and that Zhi girl? Do you know why he was at the Zhi household? They're dating!" His voice cracked with frustration and a flicker of panic. "Even a girl like her can attract Shin Keir, unlike you and your worthless son!"
"Impossible! How could that be?" Madam Nafplion blurted, eyes wide.
Was Shin Keir under some kind of spell?
Why would someone like him choose a frail girl from a lower-status family?
Master Nafplion hissed in rage and stormed out of his study. Spotting an innocent maid quietly sweeping a corner, he immediately raised his cane and struck her.
The maid shrieked, stumbling back. She wanted to run but in the Nafplion household, running only guaranteed worse punishment. Enduring it was survival.
From behind the study door, Madam Nafplion peeked out, trembling as she hid like a frightened rabbit.
Having vented his fury, Master Nafplion turned, his voice sharp as a snake's fang. "Don't go making trouble again. And tell that useless son of yours not to bother Yeri Zhi without my permission."
Madam Nafplion nodded so fast her bun wobbled. "Of course! Don't worry. Besides… Leo is still in rehab. How could he possibly trouble anyone?"
Master Nafplion snorted and strode off, his expression dark. He had to inform the Song family immediately, this information could be valuable.
And if that Zhi girl dared use Shin Keir's influence to retaliate, he needed to be ready.
---
When Yeri returned to school, Nina and Levi practically tackled her in welcome.
With Tiffany gone, the classroom felt peaceful for the first time, no screeching mosquito buzzing in Yeri's ear, no sudden dramatic entrances demanding attention. Bliss.
Yeri told the two about her recent encounter with Tiffany and Marco during the engagement meeting.
"That crazy witch! Why didn't I beat her up when I had the chance?!" Nina slammed her fist on the desk, earning curious looks from classmates.
Levi frowned. "Calm down. Don't forget who Yz's fiancé is. He won't let her suffer such injustice."
Nina paused, then her eyes widened as if she'd just remembered something juicy. She covered her mouth and leaned toward Yeri. "Sooo… how's it going with you and you-know-who?"
Seeing no point in hiding it, Yeri told them about the engagement party and upcoming wedding. She didn't even reach the date part before Nina squealed like an excited rabbit.
"Yz! I'm so happy for you! Really, really happy!" Nina hopped around before grabbing Yeri's hands and whispering dramatically, "I'm your best friend, so obviously I'll be the maid of honour, right?"
Levi muttered, "I'm also Yz's best friend."
Nina gave him a look. "What? You want to wear a dress now? Why didn't I know you had this kind of fetish?"
"That's not what I meant," Levi sputtered. "With your violent tendencies, are you sure you won't cause trouble at the wedding?"
"What wedding?"
A well-known class gossip popped up out of nowhere, eyes sparkling like she'd sniffed premium dessert. "Are you two—?"
"Of course not!" Nina and Levi yelled in unison.
Nina even stomped her foot. "Ew! Are you insane? Why would I want this walking twig? If you spread that nonsense, I'll beat you up instead!"
Yeri stepped in, smiling. "Levi is handsome and our top student. He tutors Nina, and in return, Nina protects him."
Nina rolled her eyes so dramatically she almost saw the back of her skull. "Yz, do you want to get sick again? What tutor?"
"Ohhh, so that's the relationship," the gossip girl nodded confidently, satisfied with her misunderstanding before walking away.
Nina: ???
As soon as she left, Nina stared at Yeri like she owed her money. "Explain."
Yeri patted her shoulder. "I just meant you two help each other. A give-and-take friendship."
Nina didn't quite get it, but shrugged. "Fine. But seriously, what do I need his help for?"
Levi, suddenly quiet, clicked his tongue. "Then don't ask me for tutoring anymore."
Nina glared. "When did I ever ask for your teaching? Hmph! If I ever ask, I'll call you 'older brother.'"
Levi scoffed, though his ears turned bright red.
Soon the teacher walked in and passed back the test results. She scolded the low scorers, Nina included for doodling in the answer spaces instead of writing actual answers.
"Nina, I expect a higher score on the next test. Otherwise, you stay after class for makeup lessons."
Nina nodded like a robot, then whispered to Yeri, "Let's study this weekend. If not, I'm doomed."
Yeri replied sweetly, "Sure. But three heads are better than two… don't forget to invite your older brother."
Nina: "…"
By the end of the day, however, the class somehow managed to twist that into a new rumor: Nina and Levi were in a "marriage alliance."
It became the hottest topic in the room.
One brave or foolish student approached them. "Hey guys, I heard… congrat—"
Before he could finish, Nina grabbed him by the collar with a dark expression.
"Who has an itchy mouth and told you I'm getting married!?"
The classmate choked and turned helplessly toward Levi, who stood next to Yeri with his arms crossed, completely unbothered by the rumor.
Levi raised a brow. "Why are you so worked up? The more you act like this, the more they'll think it's true."
Nina dropped the poor guy and whirled on Levi. "So it was you?!"
"Idiot," Levi muttered, already checking his phone, not paying her a shred of attention.
Nina stomped her foot, nearly shaking the floor tiles.
Yeri chuckled softly and patted Nina's back. "It must've been Daisy earlier. I thought she understood, but it seems she misunderstood completely."
The "gossip girl" indeed.
Nina gritted her teeth. Of course, it would be that girl whose hobby was spreading nonsense like a sprinkler system.
"She better sign up for dental insurance before I catch her!"
"But," Yeri teased, tilting her head, "won't the misunderstanding get worse once you call Levi 'older brother'?"
"You!" Nina nearly exploded. "I'm never asking that twig for help! Maybe I'm not too smart, but I'm not dumb either. If I need tutoring, I can just ask my dad to hire one!"
Yeri nodded, amused. Over the years, these two argued daily, but the moment someone else dared criticize the other, they turned into guard dogs on alert.
Truly, the best friendship.