Kim paced the length of her room for what felt like the hundredth time.
Step.
Turn.
Step.
Turn.
The wooden floor creaked faintly beneath her hurried movements as calculations ran endlessly through her mind.
What had she done?
No—
she knew exactly what she had done.
That was the problem.
Kim stopped abruptly, dragging a hand through her hair before exhaling sharply.
How had she allowed herself to lose control that badly?
Her words from yesterday replayed vividly in her head.
Every single one of them.
Especially the part about Lynn's family.
Kim clicked her tongue irritably.
"Tsk…"
She had seen the way Lynn reacted.
The fury.
The crack in her composure.
At the time, Kim thought she was simply attacking an arrogant rich girl's ego.
Now she realized—
she had unknowingly stabbed directly into something personal.
And all because of Kacy.
Kim's expression softened slightly at the thought.
To everyone else, Kaitlyn Woods looked detached from the world. Calm. Untouchable. Difficult to understand.
But Kim knew better.
She knew enough.
Enough to notice the subtle shifts in Kacy's behavior before anyone else could.
Enough to understand that some things weren't carelessness or indifference—
they were restraint.
Which was exactly why Lynn's constant probing irritated her so badly.
Those rich idiots couldn't even read between the lines.
Instead, they kept pushing.
Provoking.
Testing.
Kim clenched her fist.
"Bunch of brats…"
Her pacing resumed immediately.
What was she supposed to do tomorrow?
Vrrriiiinnggg—
Her phone vibrated violently against the desk.
Kim froze.
---
The news spread through Aurikon Academy faster than wildfire.
By morning, it had already evolved into dozens of exaggerated versions.
Students gathered in corners, corridors, stairwells—everywhere.
Whispers layered over whispers until speculation became entertainment.
"The student council almost fought on their first day?"
"No way."
"I heard Lynn Mackenzie nearly slapped Kim Cross."
"No, I heard Kim insulted the Mackenzie family first."
"Same thing."
Laughter followed.
Others leaned in with obvious interest.
"Forget the fight," one student muttered. "I want to know who's showing up today."
That caught attention immediately.
The group straightened.
Curiosity sharpened.
"Well," someone began thoughtfully, "everyone knows the head of the Mackenzie family spoils his daughter senseless."
A snort followed.
"Spoils? That man practically worships her."
"Exactly. Richard Mackenzie is definitely coming."
Several students nodded in agreement.
That much seemed obvious.
Then—
"What about Kim Cross?"
The conversation stalled.
Expressions shifted.
Because that was the real mystery.
Unlike Lynn, Kaiden, or Colton—
Kim's background remained strangely unclear.
People knew she was talented.
They knew she ranked first in Silver.
They knew she carried herself with confidence.
But beyond that?
Nothing.
"No clue."
"She doesn't act poor."
"But she doesn't act rich either."
"So who exactly is backing her?"
Tap.
Tap.
The classroom doors opened before the conversation could continue.
Their lecturer entered calmly, files tucked beneath his arm.
The room quieted instantly, though the tension remained alive beneath the silence.
Even throughout the lesson—
students kept glancing toward Kim.
Waiting.
Watching.
---
A sleek black vehicle rolled smoothly through Aurikon Academy's private entrance later that morning.
The polished surface reflected sunlight sharply as it came to a silent stop.
The driver exited first before opening the rear door respectfully.
Richard Mackenzie stepped out.
The moment he appeared, nearby students instinctively lowered their voices.
Authority.
That was the first thing people noticed about him.
Not arrogance.
Not intimidation.
Just presence.
His tailored charcoal suit sat perfectly against his tall frame, and though age lingered faintly around his eyes, it did little to diminish the sharpness in his expression.
Richard adjusted his cuffs calmly while scanning the academy grounds.
A faint frown settled onto his face.
Yesterday, Lynn had returned home unusually serious.
She hadn't explained much.
But Richard knew his daughter.
He didn't need details to recognize when something had genuinely bothered her.
And as a father—
that alone was enough.
"I'll return shortly," he informed the driver calmly before walking toward the main building.
---
The student council chamber was fuller than usual.
Not because students were invited.
But because word had spread.
The council's first official disciplinary case.
And involving two top students at that.
Teachers stood along the sides of the chamber while members of the school board occupied seats near the raised platform.
At the center sat the student council members themselves.
Kaiden remained seated at the head calmly, one arm resting lazily against the chair.
Colton sat beside him, fingers tapping rhythmically against the table.
Kim sat stiffly.
And Kacy—
as always—
looked detached from everything around her.
Only Lynn appeared fully composed.
Opposite them sat Richard Mackenzie.
Elegant.
Calm.
Unreadable.
Chancellor Von Vanguard adjusted his glasses before speaking.
"Good morning, Mr. Mackenzie. Thank you for attending."
Richard inclined his head politely.
Von turned toward the council.
"As everyone here is aware, we are currently waiting for Miss Cross's guardian before proceeding."
"Waiting?"
Richard's voice cut in smoothly.
His gaze shifted toward Kim.
"Are we certain her guardian intends to appear?"
Kim held his gaze.
Barely.
Though outwardly calm, her trembling fingers betrayed her completely.
Von folded his hands.
"I'm certain they'll arrive."
Then after a pause—
"But should they fail to appear, the agreed punishment shall proceed accordingly."
Murmurs spread immediately through the room below.
Excitement.
Curiosity.
Anticipation.
Lynn observed everything quietly from her seat.
Kaiden appeared entirely uninterested, eyes half-lidded as though none of this concerned him.
Colton, however—
watched Kim carefully.
Too carefully.
And Kacy…
Lynn's eyes narrowed slightly.
Even now, Kacy looked absent-minded.
Detached.
But somehow—
present.
Always present.
Interesting.
Ding.
The bell chimed softly through the chamber.
Kim's heart dropped instantly.
The sound felt final.
No one was coming.
Of course no one was coming.
Slowly—
Kaiden lifted his gaze toward her.
Von Vanguard did the same.
Kim swallowed hard.
So this was it.
The carefully built walls around her identity would finally crack open today.
Von opened the file before him.
"With regard to yesterday's misconduct," he began calmly, "and in the absence of your guardian, Miss Cross—"
Tap.
Tap.
Tap.
The sound echoed from the entrance.
Every head turned immediately.
A voice followed.
Smooth.
Calm.
"Apologies for the delay."