Just as expected, the police gave him a quick once–over.


    “Did you bring your student ID?”


    “Yeah, I did.” Zachary rummaged through his backpack and handed his student ID to the officer with both hands.


    The officer nced at it, exchanged a look with his partner, then <i>nodded</i>.


    “Alright, I understand. I’ll have someone pull the footage from the bus security cameraster. Now, do you want to press charges, or try to settle this privately? If you want to file a report, you’ll need toe down to the station and give your statements.”


    He closed the ID and returned it to Zachary.


    “We want to file a report,” Ethan and Zachary replied in unison.


    Alessia had already wiped away her tears, though she still clung tightly to Cole’s hand. Queenie stood quietly beside her, knowing this wasn’t the right moment to get involved–sometimes it was best to just watch from the sidelines.


    “File a report? Why bother? Just pay us somepensation and call it a day. Why make itplicated and waste everyone’s time? If you drag this out, you’ll just end up paying more! I didn’t even ask you for extra fees since you’re just a student–you should be grateful. If you press charges, who knows how much more you’ll have to cough up!”


    A sh of panic crossed the man’s eyes, but he quickly regained hisposure.


    So what if they had numbers on their side? They were just a bunch of na?ve college kids–he’d dealt with far worse in his day.


    “Oh really? Then let’s see what happens.” Ethan couldn’t be bothered to argue any further. He simply handed the man a business card.


    “Honey, he’s awyer–I think I’ve seen him on TV,” the woman whispered, tugging at Chester ke’s sleeve,


    <i>“</i><i>So </i>what? These days anyone with a pretty face ends up on TV. Who knows if he’s actually any good, or just all talk? Besides, look at his suit–it’s just like my brother’s. Must’ve cost a fortune.”


    “But what if this really goes to court?” The woman nced nervously from Ethan, standing tall and unyielding, to Chester, worry etched on her face.


    <i>1/2 </i>


    <b>09:40 </b>


    “Go call my brother, now,” Chester muttered in her ear after a pause.


    She nodded and slipped off to a corner, phone in hand.


    “So, have you made up your mind?” Ethan asked coolly.


    “Let’spromise–settle it privately. Just pay thirty, maybe fifty grand, and we’ll forget the whole thing,” Chester bellowed, as if raising his <i>voice </i>might win the


    argument.


    Ethan let out a coldugh. “Thirty to fifty grand? What about <i>you </i>insulting my brother, twisting his good intentions, or making my sister cry? How do <i>you </i>n topensate us for that?”


    “You-!” Chester pointed at Ethan, too choked up to speak.


    “Don’t bother arguing, Ethan. Let’s just file the report,” Zachary said firmly, having seen through their act. These people were nothing but shameless bullies.


    “Wait, wait! This is all a misunderstanding!”


    Just as tensions were about to boil over, a voice called out from the end of the hall, full of urgency.


    Everyone turned to see a well–dressed, middle–aged man hurrying toward them, waving frantically, but slowing his pace to let Six support Xander as they approached.


    Trailing behind were Ste and Justin, who had arrived a bitter.


    “Professor?” Zachary stared in surprise, not understanding how Xander had ended <i>up </i><i>here</i>.


    “Zachary<b>, </b>are <i>you </i>alright?”


    Xander had been brought over by Carlson ke. Carlson had juste by to pick up a prescription when he happened to catch the news report ying in the lobby. He and Xander had been joking about the strange things people did these days, but then, in a sh, Chester and Zachary’s faces appeared on the screen.


    Theirughter died instantly. Without a second thought, they rushed straight over.