Chapter 3

Zonday sat in the audience, the only one not whispering.

He just stared at me with a frown, his expression complex.

"In light of Yunara Trent's abhorrent behavior, the school has decided to… cancel her scholarship and remove her from all positions!"

"My scholarship?!"

I quickly turned to him. "But..."

"Miss Trent."

Shelly's father squinted at me. "Do you think you're in any position to make demands?"

I tightened the grip on my clothes.

The ridicule from the other students was relentless.

I gritted my teeth, my eyes welling up.

I needed the scholarship to cover my mother's medical fees...

I hurried down from the stage. While I was walking away, I felt a light grip on my wrist.

Zonday looked at me, his expression complicated.

I pushed his hand away and rushed back to my seat.

After school, Zonday followed me closely.

"I've already paid your mother's medical fees."

"Thanks."

My voice was hoarse.

"I'm sorry. I didn't know you would be publicly criticized or that your scholarship would be canceled."

I walked on, not saying a word.

"Don't worry, I'll support you financially."

I still didn't turn back.

He grabbed my shoulder. "I won't do it again, I swear. Yunara, stop ignoring me."

Looking into his eyes, I recalled the past.

He had sworn that he would protect me for life after my father passed away.

But later, I met Camilla.

I could still vividly remember the flicker of amazement in his eyes when I introduced him to her.

Since then, whatever he gave me, he also offered her. He would always remember the things she liked, but he always seemed to forget mine.

I didn't mind, thinking they had just gotten closer.

That is, until he asked me to let Camilla beat me in the exam.

I took a deep breath and smiled. "I don't blame you. I'm willing to do this for you."

I felt his arm stiffen.

Simultaneously, his charm bracelet seemed to become a little tighter.

A few sneaky figures around the corner caught my attention.

My eyes widened, and I grabbed his hand.

"If you take me home, I'll forgive you."

"Of course."

He looked down at me, tenderness filling his gaze.

"This time, I'm really sorry."

But just as he took my hand to escort me home, his phone suddenly rang.

The caller ID read: [Camilla, the cutest girl in the world]

It seemed Camilla had changed her name in his phone herself.

"Camilla?" Zonday answered the call.

His expression suddenly turned serious, and he forcefully pushed me away.

"Shelly is messing with Camilla. You'll have to go home by yourself."

"But..."

Before I could finish, he had already sprinted away.

He even knocked me to the ground.

The group of people around the corner finally dared to reveal themselves.

The leader, Shelly, grabbed my hair.

"Do you think I'll let things slide just because you were publicly shamed? My chance for direct admission is gone. How can I let you off that easily? Get her!"

The thugs she brought with her charged at me, grabbing my arms and dragging me into an alley.

I screamed wildly, "Zonday, turn back!"

But he didn't look back even once.