?Chapter 1033:


    Ste bit down on her frustration. “Jeff and I are just senior and junior,” she said. “It’s not what you think.”


    Richie tilted his head, watching her closely. “So, you’re saying you don’t like him?” he asked. “Not even a little?”


    When Richie said that, Jeff—still sitting down—instinctively turned to look at Ste.


    He wasn’t part of the kidnapping, and there was no way Richie could be his partner in crime. Still, deep down, he wanted to know if Ste had any feelings for him.


    Ste felt a headacheing on. The whole thing was so ridiculous it almost made herugh. Dealing with these boys was like trying to y pretend with stubborn kids who refused to follow the rules.


    “I care about Jeff the way any senior would care about a junior,” she said. “That’s it. There’s nothing romantic going on. Are you satisfied now? Then please untie him.”


    Jeff had expected her to say that, but hearing her deny liking him still hurt more than he wanted to admit.


    Ste, unaware of how much her words stung, kept her eyes on the knife in Richie’s hand. She was terrified that one wrong move could hurt Jeff.


    The ssroom felt tense and heavy. Ste’s gaze stayed locked on Richie, who sat at the back of the room, looking far too amused for someone in this situation.


    He wore a yful grin, clearly enjoying the chaos he’d caused. In his eyes, Ste saw nothing but cold indifference—like he couldn’t care less about anyone or anything.


    “Richie.” She spoke calmly but firmly. “If you still have a bit of sense left, let Jeff go. I’ll pretend none of this ever happened, and you won’t get in trouble.”


    Richie sneered,zily handed the knife to one of his bigger friends, and swaggered over to her.


    He shot Jeff a look full of disdain—the guy still looked shaken—then faced Ste with a smirk. “You think you can tell me what to do, you washed-up teacher’s pet?”


    Then he turned back to Jeff and lightly tapped his face, mocking him.


    “See, Jeff?” he said. “I told you those rumors were crap. There’s no way someone like you could ever end up with Ste—the school’s perfect little honor-roll princess. What a joke!”


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    Jeff clenched his jaw, anger burning in his eyes, but tied up as he was, he couldn’t do anything except stay silent.


    Seeing him quiet, Richie kept going, his tone full of spite. “Look at him, Ste. Cheap clothes, worn-out sneakers. Do you really think he came to you for schoolwork? Please. I know exactly what he wants from you.”


    Ste’s tone grew firm the instant she noticed how pale Jeff had be.


    She understood that Jeff had always carried a quiet shame about his family’s past, and Richie’s remark had likely reopened an old wound. Worried that despair might cloud his judgment, she spoke gently, hoping to keep Jeff from doing something reckless.


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