On the second floor, Tina kept her head lowered, her face heavy with sadness.
She looked at Helen and bit her lip, asking softly, "Teacher… does the Dean not like me?"
Helen sighed, patting her shoulder gently. "The Dean's always been like that. She's never warm or cold to anyone. Don't take it personally."
Tina's expression fell further. She wanted to say something, but before she could, a violent coughing fit echoed from the next room.
Both women immediately stood and rushed inside.
Elder Luke sat hunched over, his face red and eyes bloodshot as he struggled to catch his breath through the harsh coughs.
Helen hurried to his side, patting his back while taking his wrist to check his pulse. The moment she felt it, her face darkened.
"Tina, hurry, give the old man an acupuncture treatment!" she urged.
Tina froze. The suddenness of the command, combined with Helen's urgency, made her recall Anna's earlier warning.
