The air between Adrian Chen and Ryan Liu crackled with unspoken tension. The entire hallway had fallen into stunned silence, students whispering behind their hands but too afraid to speak aloud.
Ryan's grip on Elena Zhou's hand was firm, protective, almost daring. His usually carefree smile was gone, replaced with a seriousness Elena had never seen before.
"Ryan," Adrian's voice was low, dangerous, "what do you think you're doing?"
Ryan tilted his head, his tone deceptively light. "Walking a friend to class. Is there a problem?"
The smirk on Adrian's lips didn't reach his eyes. He stepped forward, his presence alone enough to make those around them step back. "Since when do you interfere in my matters?"
My matters. Elena caught those words and nearly laughed. So I'm your possession, Adrian Chen? Not this time.
She tugged her hand lightly, pretending to want to free herself, but Ryan only tightened his grip. His thumb brushed against her knuckles, a silent reassurance. For the first time in two lifetimes, Elena felt someone standing beside her, not against her.
"Some things," Ryan said, his gaze steady on Adrian, "shouldn't be treated as matters of ownership."
Gasps rippled through the hallway. Adrian's jaw tightened, his cold mask beginning to crack. For the first time, someone had openly challenged him.
"Elena," Adrian said, ignoring Ryan completely, his gaze burning into hers, "come here."
The command in his tone was the same as before, the same one she had once obeyed without hesitation. But not this time. Elena lifted her chin, her lips curving into a faint smile.
"Adrian Chen," she said softly, her voice carrying enough for everyone to hear, "do you really think I'll always listen to you?"
A murmur spread through the crowd. Adrian's eyes narrowed dangerously.
Ryan chuckled, the sound breaking the tension for only a second. "You heard her, Adrian. Not everyone bends to your will."
The corner of Adrian's lips twitched. "We'll see about that."
He turned sharply, his coat swaying behind him as he walked away, but not before giving Ryan a look sharp enough to promise retribution. The hallway slowly regained its buzz, students whispering louder now, thrilled by the drama.
Ryan finally released Elena's hand, but his eyes lingered on hers. "You don't have to face him alone," he murmured, his voice low enough for only her to hear.
Elena's heart gave a traitorous skip, but she masked it with a polite smile. "Careful, Ryan. Standing next to me might make you his enemy too."
Ryan's grin returned, boyish and mischievous. "Then I'll just have to make it worth the trouble."
Elena blinked, surprised by the boldness in his tone. But before she could reply, Lila's voice chimed in, sweet and fake as honey.
"Elena, you're causing quite a scene. You wouldn't want people to think you're enjoying this attention too much, right?"
Her smile was flawless, but Elena caught the flicker of irritation in her eyes.
Jealous already, Lila? Good. Let's see how long you can keep that mask on.
Elena smoothed her skirt, her smile sharp. "Attention has a way of finding me, whether I want it or not."
The words hung in the air like a blade, and for once, Lila had no clever reply.
But Elena's mind was already racing. Two men—one who once betrayed her, one who suddenly stepped into the light. And Lila, hiding venom behind her smile.
At this point she's no longer thinking about Clara. She already have two people to deal with; Adrian and Lila.
This life was already spiraling into something far more dangerous than before.
And that unknown message from last night—Be careful whom you trust—echoed again in her thoughts.
Her lips curved faintly. Oh, I will. And when the time comes… I won't be the one caught off guard.