Ryan slipped his hands into his pockets, eyes fixed on the girl in front of him."Ryan Sinclair," he said quietly, his voice carrying enough weight to make her straighten. "At your service."
The faint smile on her lips deepened. "Sorry for the… unexpected encounter," she said, tilting her head just slightly. "You really are a Sinclair — the aura, the demanding look… and, not to mention, you're annoyingly handsome."
John, still dusting himself off, gave a low grunt at that.
Ryan's gaze didn't waver. "You've done your homework."
Elana — no, Elera, as she now introduced herself — stepped closer, her tone shifting to something more professional."I was sent here by Robert Sinclair himself," she said, almost casually, but her eyes never left his. "Your father. My task is to watch over you while you're here. Not because you need protection — I know you can handle yourself — but because he prefers… certainty."
Ryan's brows lifted ever so slightly. "Certainty," he repeated, like he was tasting the word.
Then, an idea slid into place in his mind like a knife finding its sheath. His lips curved into something that wasn't quite a smile.
"You know…" he began slowly, "you're exactly what this school needs."
John, still rubbing his shoulder, frowned. "And what exactly do you have in mind, young master?"
Ryan turned to him, eyes gleaming. "I'm going to make this school my playground. My own little empire. And Elera…" he looked back at her, "…will be the head of the school's so-called bullies. We'll turn them into something better — a well-organized… organization."
Elena's expression didn't change much, but there was a flicker of interest in her eyes. "Sounds like fun."
At the far window of the student council room, Lily Rose stood behind the glass, her meeting momentarily forgotten. She had watched the exchange from start to finish, her fingers tightening slightly around the folder she held.
In her thoughts, her voice was edged with something sharp. "What's your relationship, Ryan… and who exactly is this new girl?"