The classroom buzzed with noise as students settled into their seats, but the moment Elena stepped inside, dozens of eyes followed her. She was used to it by now—the whispers, the envy, the pity—but today there was something different in the air.
Because Ryan was right beside her, pulling out her chair with an exaggerated flourish.
"Elena," he said loudly enough for half the room to hear, "ladies first."
Giggles erupted from the back. A few girls shot Elena sharp looks, their jealousy barely hidden. But Ryan didn't care; he dropped into the seat next to hers, leaning back with that careless grin of his.
Elena arched a brow. "You don't usually sit here."
Ryan shrugged. "Maybe I like the view better from this side."
She rolled her eyes, but her lips twitched. He was too smooth, too easy with his words. Yet beneath that playful surface, Elena caught glimpses of something sharper—like a blade hidden in velvet.
Before she could reply, the classroom door opened, and the room instantly fell into silence.
Adrian walked in.
His presence filled the space effortlessly, commanding attention with every step. He scanned the room once, his gaze settling on Elena… then Ryan. His jaw tightened almost imperceptibly.
"Elena," he said coolly, ignoring everyone else. "A word."
Ryan stretched his legs out casually, blocking Adrian's path. "Class is about to start, Adrian. Maybe later."
The tension snapped like a drawn bowstring. Everyone held their breath.
Elena's heart raced, but she forced herself to look composed. These two… if I'm not careful, they'll tear each other apart. And that might be useful to me.
She stood slowly, her chair scraping against the floor. "It's fine," she said softly, placing a hand on Ryan's arm before he could push further. "I'll hear what he has to say."
Ryan's eyes flickered, sharp with something unreadable, but he leaned back, giving her space.
Adrian led her just outside the classroom, his expression unreadable, but his voice low and firm.
"You've changed," he said again, echoing his words from yesterday. "And I don't like it when people I can't control surround you."
Elena tilted her head, her lips curving faintly. "Then perhaps the problem isn't me, Adrian Chen. Perhaps it's your obsession with control."
For the first time, his composure slipped. A shadow crossed his face, and he stepped closer, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper.
"Be careful, Elena. Some people who stand too close to me… get burned."
Her pulse spiked, but she refused to step back. Instead, she lifted her chin, her smile cool and cutting.
"Or maybe," she whispered back, "this time, I'll be the one holding the flame."
Adrian's eyes darkened. For a moment, they were locked in a silent battle, neither willing to retreat. Then the bell rang, shattering the moment.
Elena turned on her heel, walking back into class without waiting for him. Her heart thundered in her chest, but her resolve only strengthened.
She wasn't the same Elena Zhou who had once crumbled under his shadow.
This time, she would make them all regret underestimating her.
And yet, deep down, a dangerous question lingered in her mind:
Was Ryan Liu really standing by her side… or was he another mask waiting to fall?