<b>14:41 </b>


    <b>Chapter </b><b>58 </b>


    He picked up her hand and inspected it closely, the concern in his eyes in as day. Alessia arched an eyebrow. Before heading to thepany yesterday, she’d stopped by the clinic to get her wound treated. This morning, seeing it was healing well, she decided the bandage was too conspicuous and took it off. She’dpletely forgotten about it–until just now, when a quick lift of her arm was all it took for Cole to notice.


    “Just a kid’s bite,” she said, shrugging it off.


    Cole’s brow furrowed. “Did you bite back? Or at least teach them a lesson? If they dare give you trouble, I wouldn’t mind making their lives a little harder.”


    Alessia let out a softugh, giving his slender, elegant fingers a squeeze. She loved the way his long hands felt–firm, with veins just visible beneath the skin.


    “Don’t make things worse for me,” she chided, still smiling. “Besides, I crossed the line first.”


    “Then we’ll draw new lines,” he replied, his words childish but his tone cool and even. Alessia couldn’t help herself–she cupped his face and gave his cheeks a yful squeeze. Cole leaned down obligingly, making it easier for her.


    “Oh, by the way, I called off our deal with the Summers family.” Cole saw she was steering the conversation away but didn’t call her on it.


    “Larkin briefed me. Good job,” Alessia said. Cole had mentored her, and their methods and instincts were so alike it was almost as if they shared one mind.


    “You heading out now?” he asked.


    “Yeah. I’m flying overseas for work tomorrow, just for two days. Keep an eye on the hospital for me, will you?”


    “Of course. Don’t worry. My father already visited–no news is good news in this


    case.”


    “Thanks.”


    Their voices were low, almost whispering, as if they existed inside a private bubble no one else could pierce. Pierce, who had just finished sorting their things, wheeled a suitcase over, ready to ask what to do next. But one look at the two of them, and he simply rolled his eyes, set the case aside, and left without a word.


    <b>14.41 </b>


    “I’lle by after school tomorrow,” he promised. “With me watching over <b>things </b>the next couple of days, you can actually rest for once–your dark circles are


    almost bigger than a roon’s.”


    Cole chuckled, his voice deep and warm. He gave her hair a gentle tousle, then scratched her chin lightly.


    “I’m off. Call me if you need anything. If anyone starts trouble, don’t hold back. Take care of yourself, okay?”


    Alessia nodded, proud and poised, like a cat who knew her worth. She understood Cole hadn’t juste for her–he was making a statement. Unlike the others in their ss, many of whom were mere heirs or peripheral family members, Cole stood on equal footing with their parents. His support meant everything. By showing up, he was making it clear: even without the Tate family, she still had the Whitleys behind her. It also exined why Ste, who was almost always fashionablyte, had shown up unusually early today.


    There was something intoxicating about being the favored one.


    Maybe it was the sting from this morning’s showdown, but Ileana had been much quieter, leaving Alessia alone all morning. When the lunch bell rang, Ste hooked her arm through Alessia’s and dragged her toward the dining hall.


    The academy boasted three cafeterias, each offering cuisine from around the world–thoughtfully amodating the tastes of students and exchange students from every country. The school spared no effort, hiring top chefs and changing up the menu daily, hoping to keep students on campus for meals. After all, if even one student fell ill from the food, the school would be drowning in trouble.


    These young heirs and heiresses–each one more précious than the next.


    “Lucy sure knows how to pick her alliances,” Ste remarked.


    Following Ste’s gaze, Alessia spotted Ileana and Lucy walking toward them, arms


    linked.