Chapter 6

Jonah was momentarily at a loss for words. He, too, was puzzled. Scarlett hadn't stolen the necklace. He had been there when everything happened. So, how had the rumor spread through the school, escalating into claims that Scarlett had stolen it? He turned to look at Lily. Lily immediately appeared stunned and hurt, her eyes reddening as if she could cry at any moment. "Jonah, do you not believe me?" Jonah's heart softened. After hesitating for only a second, he chose to trust his beloved Lily. "Of course I believe you. Don't worry. I understand what's going on now." He gently patted Lily on the head. Lily beamed with delight, sneaking a triumphant glance at Scarlett. That flicker of smugness didn't escape Scarlett's notice. She couldn't help but roll her eyes. Jonah turned back, sneering as he questioned, "Scarlett, is this another one of your games? You wanted everyone to falsely accuse you so you could play the victim and make me forgive your past behavior? Nice try—I almost fell for it!" Scarlett burst out laughing. She clapped her hands and said, "Brilliant, Jonah. With that imagination, you really ought to write novels. "Fine, let's go with your logic. This was all my grand plan. I wanted everyone to think I was a thief, to insult me, and to corner me—all because I have low self-esteem! Happy now?" As her smile faded, she snapped coldly, "Talking to people like you is a complete waste of my time." Jonah's face darkened with anger. He parted his lips, only to shut them again. Something felt off, but he couldn't pinpoint what. Yet when he looked at Lily's sweet, innocent expression, he convinced himself all over again—Scarlett was just stirring up trouble. Just then, a cocky, mocking voice rang out. "Wow, what a brilliant performance. Some people's ability to twist the truth is truly impressive!" Everyone turned toward the speaker—it was Percy, who'd been summoned to the office with his guardian. As Jonah looked in that direction, his pupils shrank. It was as if he'd seen a ghost. For a long moment, he couldn't say a single word. The man standing beside Percy also spoke. Every syllable he uttered was as sharp as a blade of ice. "With students like these, it seems the teachers at your school aren't much better either." Xavier was tall and poised, with an icy, handsome face. His dark, deep-set eyes seemed to pierce through every ounce of deceit in the room. Jonah's expression shifted slightly, but he only pressed his lips together and remained silent. Scarlett narrowed her eyes at him, a glint of scrutiny and contemplation flashing in their dark depths. As Lily stared at him, her eyes shone with awe. She quickly tried to explain, "Sir, you've misunderstood my brother—" Before she could finish, Jonah grabbed her arm to stop her. It was clear—Xavier was someone even the Quinn family didn't dare provoke. However, Herbert, oblivious to the sudden shift in atmosphere, stood up and began lecturing Xavier. "You should focus on educating Percy instead. I've heard he often skips class to go to internet cafés and that you're hardly home. You bear a lot of responsibility, too, for neglecting the education of the boy…" He rambled on and on. As if finally finding his sense of purpose as the dean, Herbert began a long-winded tirade. It seemed he was trying to take this chance to vent the frustration he had just suffered from Scarlett. Percy nervously stole a glance at Xavier's face. He wanted nothing more than to cover his own—Xavier had never been reprimanded like this before! What rotten luck. Xavier had only just returned from abroad when a teacher called home for a meeting. Under the circumstances, he wouldn't even dare to think about covering it up. They were of distinguished and unique standing in Yendale, yet they chose to hide their real background in order to live like regular people. Even at school, they presented themselves merely as members of an ordinary, wealthy family. It was doomed. Herbert surely never expected the person he was criticizing so enthusiastically to be a big shot. If he knew who he was lecturing, he'd probably be scared out of his wits. And sure enough, Xavier's face was growing darker by the second. His narrow, dark eyes gleamed with icy fury. Even Herbert, normally so strict and imposing, began to feel the suffocating pressure. His words grew disjointed, then finally died out altogether. Percy's homeroom teacher was already drenched in cold sweat from fear. He had thought that Percy's parents would come. He never expected such an intimidating, powerful figure to come instead. Wiping his palms nervously, he stammered to defuse the tension, "Uh… That's all for today. Percy, please lead your guardian outside." Percy let out a sigh of relief and looked over at Xavier. Xavier cast one last frosty glance at Herbert, so cold it seemed to freeze him in place. The look made Herbert shudder. It was like a cold wind had swept through him, and he immediately regretted the impulsive criticism he had just given. Xavier turned and strode out. As he left, he cast a final glance at Scarlett from the corner of his eye. Scarlett gave a small nod in thanks since he had spoken up for her earlier. For some reason, she felt a flicker of interest toward this mysterious man. The oppressive atmosphere lifted the moment he was gone. Only then did they notice that they had each gone still, breath caught, when Xavier's face fell. How terrifying must his presence be to cause such an effect? Herbert grew even more restless, deeply regretting his impulsive behaviour. As for Scarlett, she turned and walked toward the door. Jonah stared at her. Her back was straight, ponytail swaying behind her. Even though she'd been expelled, she didn't seem the least bit rattled. He couldn't stop himself from calling out, "Scarlett, since you've been expelled, you only have two options—pack up and leave, or apologize to me and Lily! Maybe then I'll find a way for you to stay." With a raised eyebrow, Scarlett turned with a calm, indifferent look. "If I was expelled for stealing Lily's Celestial Drop, and now it's clear I didn't, then on what grounds does the school have to expel me?" Jonah scoffed, answering disdainfully, "You really think there needs to be a reason? You're just some country bumpkin the school took in as a special case. If they don't want someone with no background, that's their right." So that was how they saw her, just a hillbilly girl from a village. That could explain why they were so defensive around her and treated her with such disdain. Scarlett's voice turned colder. "If they want to expel me, they can have the principal say it to my face." Jonah shot back with sharp, unfiltered sarcasm, "The principal's too busy to deal with an ordinary transfer student like you. Besides, he has an important guest today—no time to waste on a nobody." This elite private high school in Yendale was renowned for its unparalleled academic resources and exceptional faculty. Naturally, the principal of such a school was no ordinary Joe. He held great power and had ties with many prominent figures in business and politics. Anyone who could be called an important guest at this school must also be extraordinary. A strange thought flickered in Scarlett's mind. Could that important guest be… him?