Prim bit the inside of his lip.
Damn.
He was trying so hard not to crash out.
This had never happened before.
Why was he losing his cool so easily?
If it were anyone else, he wouldn't be struggling this hard to stay in character.
Yet here he was.
Despite the thoughts running through his head, his expression remained calm and composed.
"I'm sorry," Prim said politely."I let my emotions get ahead of me."
He glanced at the head teacher.
"But I was not throwing myself at Luis."
"Luis was having a panic attack and I was trying to help him."
His voice remained gentle.
"As for the rumors, everything can easily be cleared up if we review the CCTV footage."
Luis paused.
The fake tears in his eyes nearly disappeared.
Oh?
He actually has some guts.
Willing to expose other people just to clear his name?
That's new.
Luis found himself becoming even more interested.
He opened his mouth, preparing to say something.
Unfortunately for him
Prim stepped on his foot.
Hard.
The pain shot through Luis's leg.
His expression almost cracked.
Prim immediately looked concerned.
"Are you alright?"
"It looked like you were in pain."
His voice sounded so innocent that nobody would have suspected a thing.
At the same time, he gently patted Luis's back.
Luis stared at him.
Then suddenly threw his arms around Prim.
Prim instantly stiffened.
"No need to check the CCTV."
Luis lowered his head.
"I'm the one at fault."
His voice sounded pitiful.
"I'll take the blame."
He tightened his grip slightly.
"Just... don't hate me."
The room instantly fell silent.
The perfect victim.
The perfect martyr.
The perfect green-tea bitch.
Prim nearly saw black.
The head teacher sighed.
"That's enough."
He rubbed his forehead.
"Let's drop this matter."
Then he looked at Prim.
"You're older than Luis."
"Take care of him a little."
The grade teacher nodded immediately.
"Exactly."
"You two will be representing the school together in the competition."
"We shouldn't damage the team's atmosphere over a misunderstanding."
The head teacher pointed between them.
"Learn from each other."
"Work together."
Then, without waiting for either of them to argue, the teachers left the room.
The door closed.
Silence.
The moment they were gone, Prim shoved Luis away.
Luis had been shamelessly rubbing his face against Prim's neck and inhaling his scent.
"Stingy."
Luis smiled lazily.
"You won't even let me hug you."
For the first time since meeting him
Prim completely dropped the saint act.
"Stay away from me, you fucking annoying pest."
The curse slipped out naturally.
Even Prim looked surprised for half a second.
Then he turned around and walked toward the door.
Luis blinked
.
Then laughed.
"Hey."
Prim ignored him.
"Hey."
Luis followed after him.
"I heard the student council president was gentle."
"A saint Always forgiving."
"Never gets angry Never curses."
His smile widened.
"Why are you so different when it comes to me?"
Prim didn't even turn around.
He simply raised his middle finger behind his back and continued walking away.
For a second, Luis froze.
Then laughter echoed through the empty classroom.
For the first time in a very long time
Someone had genuinely entertained him.
The head teacher eventually selected two students from the six Grade 12 candidates and two from the six Grade 11 candidates.
Prim was chosen as one of the Grade 12 representatives.
Luis was chosen as one of the Grade 11 representatives.
After the selection process ended and everyone returned to studying, one of the teachers called Prim over.
"Prim, could you help me get drinks for everyone? There should be enough bottles in the lounge vending machine."
Prim nodded.
"Okay."
He headed toward the lounge.
The moment he opened the door, he froze.
Luis.
The moment their eyes met, Prim immediately closed the door.
Then turned around and started walking away.
The door opened again.
"Tsk."
Luis leaned against the doorway.
"Didn't you come here to collect something?"
Prim stopped.
Luis smirked.
"Go on. I'm alone this time."
He glanced inside dramatically.
"No one's giving me a blowjob."
A pause.
"Unless you want to offer."
Prim slowly turned around.
"From the way you speak, you sound like someone who hasn't been beaten enough". Prim said His voice was soft Dangerously soft.
Luis grinned.
"Hmm I do lack beatings."
He tilted his head.
"What? Are you going to beat me, Brother Prim~?"
He deliberately dragged out the words.
"Careful The teachers might think you're bullying me."
Prim ignored him completely.
He walked past Luis and entered the lounge.
Just then, a voice came through Luis's phone.
"Hello? Planet Luis?"
Ava.
Luis lazily put the phone against his ear.
"What is it this time? I have reading to do."
Ava immediately scoffed.
"We both know you aren't reading shit.You caused drama in the house and now you're pretending to be innocent."
"Aunt Vera has been bothering Mom nonstop trying to contact you It's irritating her So get your ass home and Grandpa Quinn's students are coming."
Luis leaned against the wall.
"Tsk Aren't they supposed to arrive on Thursday? They made them wait until Saturday?"
"What? Are they expecting Grandpa to extend the family gathering? Good thing I'm leaving for Aurelia As for Sophia's dad..."
"They shouldn't bother begging me Do I look like a saint?"
Ava laughed.
"I doubt Grandpa will extend the vacation He's already losing patience Everyone is going back home on Sunday."
"Oh, and Mom and Dad are planning to escort you to Aurelia They want to cheer you on."
Luis rolled his eyes.
"I doubt it."
"Mom is just looking for an excuse to skip work."
"And Dad follows Mom around because he's afraid she'll forget she's married and bring another man home again."
That made Ava burst out laughing.
A few moments later, she hung up.
Meanwhile, Prim was selecting drinks from the machine.
He had already memorized everyone's favorite flavors.
Luis walked over and stopped beside him.
A little too close.
"Need help choosing?"
"No."
Prim didn't even look at him.
Luis wasn't discouraged.
Instead, he leaned closer.
"Do you have any talent for writing music?"
"No."
Prim grabbed another bottle."Why? Did something happen?"
Luis hummed thoughtfully.
"Not really."
He tapped his chin.
"Remember that guy from Wednesday?"
"What was his name again?"A pause.
"Drone? No... Drane? Hmm That doesn't sound right."
Prim clicked his tongue internally.
How tragic.
Drew had destroyed his entire life.
And the people he worked with couldn't even remember his name.
Thinking about it...
Prim hadn't heard anything about Drew recently.
Oh well.
Not his business.
Meanwhile, Luis was secretly watching Prim's reaction.
He had deliberately gotten the name wrong.
He had expected Prim to correct him.
Yet Prim didn't react at all he was waiting for prim to correct him so he can fall for the trap but he is not that stupid good
"Drew."
Luis finally remembered.
"That was his name He said some strange things about you."
Prim remained silent.
Luis continued casually.
"He claimed you stole songs from one of his friends That you got people killed."
"That you like taking things that don't belong to you."Luis shrugged.
"I didn't believe him After all, our student council president wouldn't steal songs."
"Especially when he's connected to the owner of the school Right?"
His tone sounded harmless.
Almost concerned.
The truth was...
Luis already knew Drew had been lying.
It was painfully obvious.
If anything, Drew had probably stolen the songs from Prim.
But that wasn't what interested him.
What interested him was why Prim had been working as a waiter.
Why he had connections to Drew.
Why every investigation into Drew somehow led nowhere when it came to Prim.
Luis had been curious.
Very curious.
At one point he had even considered
investigating Prim properly.
Then he gave up.
Too much work.
Not worth the effort.
Besides...
Mysteries were more fun when they remained mysteries.
Prim finally picked up the last bottle.
Then looked directly at Luis.
"It seems your friend is just as crazy as you are."
His expression remained calm.
"As your senior, let me give you some advice."
Luis raised an eyebrow.
"Stay away from crazy people They'll eventually make you start imagining things too."With that, Prim turned and walked out of the lounge carrying the drinks.
Luis watched his back disappear through the doorway.
Then chuckled.
It seemed Prim was still annoyed about the green-tea incident.
Honestly?
Fair enough.
Even Luis had to admit he might have gone a little too far that time.
Sunday arrived.
The servants of the Quinn Family had been awake since dawn, preparing the estate for the weekly family gathering.
Fresh flowers were replaced.
Tables were arranged.
Tea sets were polished until they gleamed.
As for Peter Vale...
He had already left early in the morning.
No one was particularly interested in where he had gone.
Meanwhile, inside her room, Ava stood before a full-length mirror.
Her fiery red hair had been styled into a loose, messy high bun, soft curtain bangs framing her face while delicate strands escaped around her cheeks and neck.
She wore a sheer cropped dusty-blue chiffon blouse with a deep V-neckline.
The long flowing sleeves ended in asymmetrical ruffles that fluttered whenever she moved. A delicate bow tied neatly at the front of her chest.
Her high-waisted light-wash flare jeans hugged her hips before widening gracefully below the knees.
Small denim bows decorated the stylish knee cutouts, while the front slits at the hems opened elegantly over her heels.
Between the waistband of her jeans and the tied blouse, a tattoo trailed along her side waist.
Five minimalist birds.
Each one slightly larger than the last.
Tiny blue butterflies danced among them.
The design curved beautifully against her pale skin.
Her skin looked almost unreal.
White as fresh milk.
Smooth and glossy like polished glass.
Her soft heart-shaped face, hazel-blue siren eyes, slightly arched brows, small straight nose, and naturally pouty pink lips combined into a beauty that made people stare twice.
And whenever she smiled...
Deep dimples appeared.
Making her look both dangerous and adorable.
A structured blue-and-white floral baguette bag hung from her arm.
Silver drop earrings swayed gently beneath loose strands of hair.
She examined herself carefully.
Then nodded.
"I look good enough to eat."
As if following a sacred ritual, she immediately took several photos.
Then sent them to Matthew.
Only after receiving confirmation that the messages had been delivered did she finally leave her room.
Walking downstair
s.
Toward the garden behind the first hall.
The Quinn Family Garden.
Calling it a garden was almost insulting.
It looked more like a paradise stolen from a fantasy world.
The moment someone stepped through the white marble archway, the temperature seemed to change.
A gentle breeze carried the scent of flowers and fresh water.
Crystal-clear streams curved through the landscape like ribbons of liquid glass, reflecting sunlight into thousands of sparkling fragments.
Elegant stone bridges crossed over the water.
Schools of brilliantly colored koi fish drifted beneath them.
Massive ancient trees spread their branches overhead, creating natural canopies of emerald leaves.
Wisteria flowers hung like waterfalls of purple silk.
White roses climbed marble pillars.
Golden lilies bloomed beside streams.
Countless rare flowers painted the landscape with every imaginable color.
Butterflies drifted lazily between blossoms.
Small birds sang from hidden branches.
At the center of the garden stood a massive silver-white tree whose leaves shimmered whenever sunlight touched them.
Around it were luxurious seating areas arranged beneath elegant gazebos.
The sound of flowing water mixed with birdsong.
Creating an atmosphere so peaceful it felt detached from reality.
Like a hidden sanctuary where worries simply couldn't exist.
And sitting beneath one of the gazebos...
Was Luis.
A fresh mango milk drink rested in his hand.
The pineapple-shaped cup looked almost cartoonish compared to his calm appearance.
He wore an oversized white graphic T-shirt featuring a large green abstract face design across the front.
Relaxed black wide-leg jeans draped effortlessly over chunky black sneakers.
A silver analog watch rested around his wrist.
Simple.
Comfortable.
Yet somehow impossible to ignore.
The morning sunlight filtered through the flowers and leaves above him.
Soft golden light landed on his face.
Making him look unreal.
Like temptation given human form.
Or perhaps...
Like one of heaven's forbidden creations accidentally left among mortals.
Around him sat three girl range 18 to 17.
The nicece of Grandpa Quinn's first disciples wife and her two closest friends.
they looked completely enchanted trying to talk to him but he acted like they were air while sipping his drink.
The third was practically staring at his face while smiling foolishly.
"So, Luis, are you really going to go after Sophia's father?" Frank asked.
He frowned slightly"He's still your cousin's father. Go easy on him."
Luis looked at him lazily over the rim of his drink."You're talking as if he's my father."
He crossed one leg over the other."If I don't go after him, should I go after you instead?"
Frank froze.
Luis smiled.
"Or should I investigate that phone company you and your friends secretly invested in?"
His smile widened.
"Maybe the casino you opened under another name? And let's not forget the branch company Grandpa gave you that you've been using however you want to secretly fund your own business."
Luis tilted his head."Has success gotten to your head? That you forget if I can find such clue about you other can "
Frank's face instantly turned pale.
The color drained from it so quickly that even the people nearby noticed.
Winter narrowed her eyes.
"Are you investigating family members now?" she asked coldly.
Luis looked at her as if she had asked a stupid question.
"Are you bigger than an investigation?"
The question made several people choke.
"Family or not, if I can investigate it, I will."
He took another sip of his drink.
"If you don't like it, bite me."
The three girls around Prim immediately lowered their heads, trying not to laugh.
Winter's expression darkened.
"Enough."
Sophia finally spoke.
Her voice was calm, but there was exhaustion hidden underneath.
"Stop acting like this in front of guests."
She glanced toward the three girls and Ava.
"We're family My father was wrong But that doesn't mean you have to keep kicking him while he's down."
"Oh my."
Ava's voice suddenly interrupted everyone.
She was lounging comfortably on the swing while scrolling through her phone.
Her eyes widened dramatically.
"It looks like the Vale Family Enterprise is drying up like a dead sunflower."
Everyone turned toward her.
Ava immediately sat up straighter.
"This is getting interesting."
Luis didn't even need to ask.
Ava had already stood up and walked over.
She shoved her phone in front of him.
"Look The Vale shareholders are in chaos Several rival companies are attacking all of their major projects."
She swiped down.
"Three partnerships were terminated this morning."
Another swipe.
"Two banks are reconsidering financing."
Another swipe.
"And the shareholders are buying up more stock while the price keeps falling."
Ava clicked her tongue.
"They're circling around the company like hungry wolves."
She looked up.
"At this rate, Uncle Peter won't need enemies The market is doing all the work for you."
A brief silence followed.
Then Maria burst out laughing.
Even Vickey had to turn away to hide his smile.
Sophia lowered her head.
For the first time, genuine worry appeared on her face.
Luis glanced at the screen before handing the phone back For some reason prim reaction yesterday amused him more than the news of Peter's downfall.