Chapter 4

When I got back to first period, class was already half over.

Robert was sitting in the front row, that quintessential honor student position.

He wore a perfectly tailored uniform blazer, his hair groomed to perfection, twirling a pen in his hand, laughing and chatting with Alice beside him.

That elite demeanor was completely different from the cold, cutting person on the phone last night.

Seeing me enter, the classroom chatter instantly died down.

Robert looked up at me, his gaze pausing on my unchanged clothes for a second, then showing a half-smile.

"Our straight-A student returns? Out all night-where were you partying?"

He deliberately raised his voice.

The whole class looked at me, their gazes full of scrutiny and malice.

Before, in situations like this, I would explain, panic, worry about making him unhappy.

But now, I just found it noisy.

I ignored his provocation and walked straight to my seat.

It was in the last row by the window.

And Daniel was right next to me in the corner, sleeping on his desk without even taking out his textbook.

"Isabella, I'm asking you a question."

Robert, feeling he'd lost face when I ignored him, walked over.

He looked down at me. "Where were you fooling around last night? Do you know Alice delayed cutting the cake for half an hour waiting for you?"

What a terrible crime.

I looked up, calmly meeting his gaze: "Did I ask her to wait?"

Robert froze.

He probably hadn't expected his perpetually obedient pet to suddenly learn how to fight back.

"What's your attitude?"

He frowned, lowering his voice. "Still sulking about last night? I told you I couldn't get away. Can you stop being so dramatic? Fine, I'll take you to dinner after school tonight. Consider it making up to you."

In the past, I would have been thrilled to hear that.

But now, I just felt nauseous.

"No need."

I stepped around him. "I have plans."

Robert grabbed my wrist.

His hand was very cold, like a snake coiling around me.

I instinctively shuddered-not from cold, but from physiological revulsion.

"Let go." I said coldly.

"You have plans? What plans could you possibly have?"

Robert sneered. "Besides me, who else would bother with a freak like you? Isabella, enough. My patience has limits."

"Didn't you hear her say let go?"

A lazy, hoarse voice suddenly cut in.

Daniel had woken up at some point.

He still looked half-asleep, eyes half-open, hair messy, but radiating a chilling menace.

Sitting in his chair, he stretched out his long leg and kicked Robert's chair leg hard.

"You're blocking the light."

Robert winced, loosening his grip.

I immediately pulled my hand back, wiping it on my clothes with disgust.

Robert's face turned iron-blue as he glared at Daniel: "Daniel, this is a classroom, not your slum playground."

Daniel yawned and slowly stood up.

He was half a head taller than Robert, and the intimidation he'd developed from street fights instantly crushed Robert's honor student arrogance.

"What about the classroom?"

Daniel leaned closer to Robert, a malicious smile on his lips. "Does being in a classroom mean you can grab people however you want? Believe me, I'll break that paw of yours."

Robert backed off.

He was fine porcelain. No way he'd clash head-on with Daniel's cracked tile.

"Crazy bastard."

Robert muttered under his breath and went back to his seat.

I looked at Daniel.

He didn't even give me a proper glance, just flopped back onto his desk, pulled his hood over his head, and went back to sleep.

Just as the hood covered his head, I heard him let out a very soft hum.

Pretending like nothing happened.

I mentally rolled my eyes, but couldn't help the smile tugging at my lips.

Robert sat in the front row, his gaze sweeping darkly over our area.

I met it fearlessly and mouthed a sentence to him.

"Your body temperature is too low. I'm feeling a bit cold now."

Robert understood.

The pencil in his hand snapped in two.