Aveline met Dorian''s determined gaze. She had turned him down countless times, but the man was as stubborn as a mule, refusing to give up. Every few days, he would appear in front of her, trying to remind her of his existence.


    Once, Aveline decided to make him stop for good by saying she already had a boyfriend. To her surprise, Dorian didn''t believe her at all.


    Dorian had always been a very self-assured person, confident in his ability to win her over. Yet now, he finally realized her boyfriend was none other than Orion.


    Orion had been conducting a thorough investigation. For now, there were no leads. After all, apart from the marathon participants, there were others involved in different events. It would take at least a day to question everyone.


    Aveline waited quietly in the school infirmary for Orion. "Orion''s here," someone announced. Everyone stayed around to see if Aveline''s ims about Orion were true. "Aveline, are you feeling better?" Orion asked as he walked in.


    "Mm, it doesn''t hurt as much anymore," Aveline replied.


    The moment Orion arrived, all eyes were on him, but he only had eyes for Aveline.


    Aveline and Orion were pr opposites. She was cold, like ice, while he was warm, like the sun. Strangely, the two extremes bnced each other perfectly. Their connection was so harmonious, it felt as though no one else existed when they were together. "I''ll take you home," Orion said, reaching out to carry her.


    Aveline instinctively nestled into his arms, her small hands wrapping around his neck. The two of them painted a picture of perfect harmony. Watching them, Dorian''sst flicker of hope was extinguished.


    Aveline hadn''t lied. The way Orion looked at her, and the way she gazed back, was filled with undeniable affection. Only people who truly loved each other could ignore the world around them and see only each other.


    Under everyone''s watchful eyes, the two slowly left. No one doubted their rtionship anymore.


    Orion carried Aveline into his car. She held his hand and pleaded softly, "Orion, please don''t tell my dad I got hurt, okay?"


    "Aveline, you''ve always been strong-willed. We all respect that, but now that you''re injured-Mr. Ba should-"


    Before he could finish, her lips silenced him. It was the first time Aveline had taken the initiative to kiss him. Orion''s body stiffened, momentarily forgetting how to react.


    Her lips were soft, her kiss inexperienced, but it was enough to make him lose himself. "Does this mean you won''t tell my dad?" Aveline whispered, her forehead resting against his, her voice as sweet as honey.


    How could he refuse her? "Even if I don''t say anything, your injury will give you away. You can''t hide it from me, let alone your parents."


    "I''ll stay at your ce until after nine. By then, my dad will have taken Mom to bed. If I sneak back to my room quickly and leave early in the morning before they wake up, they won''t notice. It''s just a small wound-it''ll heal soon."


    Orion gently tapped her nose. "You really know how to n things. Fine, I promise not to tell, but if they find out, it''s on you."


    As Aveline predicted, by the time she got home, Aurora and Julian were already resting. Her dad had been so preupied with his wifetely that he hadn''t had much time to check on Aveline.


    The next morning, Aveline left early. Although her injured leg meant she couldn''t participate in the sports day, she didn''t want to stay home and risk suspicion. So, she went to school as usual.


    However, waiting for her at school was the headmaster. "Aveline,e to my office!" The headmaster, infamous for his strictness, was known as the students'' worst nightmare.


    Aveline knew nothing good coulde of this meeting. She followed him into the office.


    "Aveline, I heard you''ve been fighting and engaging in a romantic rtionship. Is this true?"


    "Yes," Aveline admitted without hesitation.


    "Good. Since you admit it, ording to school rules, you''ll face a major demerit."


    Unlike Miss Hartwell, who asionally showed favoritism, the headmaster made it clear he was targeting Aveline. She could feel it.


    Incidents involving fights and teenage rtionships happened daily at school. Why was she being singled out?


    "Who told you this?" Aveline asked coldly. The incident with Liora had happened a while ago. If the headmaster wanted to address it, he would have done so sooner. Why now?


    "Don''t worry about who told me. Initially, I considered letting it slide because of your good grades. But now that you''ve crossed the line, Aveline, I want your parents toe in. A student like you should be suspended and sent home for discipline."


    "Sir, don''t you think this punishment is a bit harsh?" Aveline''s suspicions grew.


    Liora''s issue had already been settled, and early rtionships were typically addressed with counseling. Immediate suspension wasn''t the norm.


    The headmaster locked eyes with her cold gaze. It unsettled him. This girl wasn''t afraid of him. Her eyes seemed to see right through him.


    "Are you the teacher, or am I?"


    "Of course, you''re the teacher. I''ve never nned to be one. But I hope you can demonstrate basic professionalism, sir."


    "How dare you question me? Call your parents immediately!"


    Aveline''s eyes turned icy. Though Orion was carefully investigating the culprit, she had a hunch that the person who nted the thumbtacks in her shoes was the same one who had reported her.


    "Are you sure you want to meet my parents? Their tempers might not be what you''re expecting," she warned.


    The headmaster, convinced her father was a janitor, found her wordsughable. What temper could a janitor have?


    "Call them right now. Bring your mother too!"


    "As you wish." Aveline smirked, pulling out her phone and dialing a familiar number.


    "Sweetheart, why did you leave so early today? Daddy didn''t even get to say good morning," Julian''s yful voice came through.


    "Dad, my teacher wants to meet you and Mom," Aveline said, exasperated.


    "Oh? Finally inviting us to tour your school?"


    "No, it''s not a tour. He requested to see you both."


    "A parent-teacher meeting, huh? Alright, your mom and I will be right over!" Julian


    hung up, his tone brimming with excitement.