Lena glanced up at Willington, quickly surveying the various looks people
around her were giving. She frowned slightly.
There was no way she could focus and finish her drawing here this afternoon.
âThank you.â Lena moved swiftly, gathering her belongings in haste and
striding out of the drawing room.
âItâs just a small award. Whatâs she so proud of?â someone muttered from a
corner of the drawing room.
Willington and Gideon both turned their gaze in that direction at the same
time.
The comment came from a young man with a frivolous demeanor. He hadnât
managed to conceal the disdain in his eyes when the two looked over.
Gideon looked at he, Kenny smirked provocatively, âNo matter what, sheâs
just a woman. Who knows what methods she used to win the award. Right,
Gideon?â
Kenny assumed Gideon would agree with him, unable to accept losing to a woman himself.
Gideon, who always maintained a gentlemanly demeanor, for the first time let
his face harden, sarcasm written all over it. âDidnât you also participate in the
contest? Couldnât even get a consolation prize?â
Kennyâs face darkened immediately. He dared to speak ill of Lena behind her
back, but he didnât dare to offend Gideon. After all, Gideon had the McKinney
Group behind him, not someone he could afford to provoke lightly.
âI was just trying to stand up for you. Everyone knows your talent far
surpasses Lenaâsâ¦â Kenny said, trying to laugh it off.
Gideon stood up as well, gathering his things without giving Kenny another
glance.
âLena is more than a hundred times better than you.â Gideon sneered, his
eyes cold. Kenny shivered, too angry to say anything more, even if he wanted
to.
In his panic, Kenny didnât notice the fierce look Willington gave him.
The next day, as soon as Gideon arrived in the classroom, he heard some
news.
âDid you guys hear? Kenny was attacked yesterday!â
Kenneth Obrien, the classâ biggest gossip, suddenly said mysteriously.
As soon as he mentioned it, the whole class erupted into discussion.
âNo wonder I heard police sirens in the dorm area yesterday. I didnât realize it
was himâ¦â someone quickly added.
Kenneth nodded solemnly. âI heard he was stabbed four times. Itâs not fatal,
but heâs going to suffer.â
âFour times?â The class fell silent at his words. âWhat kind of deep grudge
must there be to warrant such a vicious attack?â
We were all ordinary students, unaccustomed to such violence, and nobody
could remain calm.
âI donât know the details, but I heard the attacker deliberately avoided the
camera areas as if he had been lying in wait for a long time. This could beâ¦â
Kenneth trailed off, leaving the class to make their own guesses.
The attacker must have been targeting Kenny specifically, lying in wait for a
long time and avoiding the cameras. It wasnât a random attack.
âGideon, what do you think?â someone asked, turning to Gideon.
Everyone knew about their disagreement the previous day. Although it was
unlikely Gideon was involved, they suspected he might be secretly pleased
about the attack.
But Gideon appeared indifferent. âCatching the criminal is the policeâs job.
What I think doesnât matter.â
The class fell silent at his words.
Even though Gideon hadnât given the answer they were hoping for, everyone
knew he was right.
Just then, Lena walked in.