Class 3-18 and Class 3-17 ranked lowest academically among the year group.Not only were students in these classes struggling academically, but they were also notoriously difficult to manage, with frequent conflicts erupting.Most teachers were reluctant to take on these classes.Firstly, managing them was a challenge in itself.Secondly, Riverside Senior High had built a reputation as an elite school, attracting more children from wealthy and influential families in recent years. This increased competition for limited spots, often squeezing out students from less affluent backgrounds unless they excelled academically.The intensive classes mainly comprised students from ordinary families, with only a few from affluent backgrounds. Teachers preferred these classes due to higher postsecondary enrollment rates and less trouble.The worst classes were on the verge of having no homeroom teachers at all.Following Grant, Eden entered Class 3-18 with her head slightly lowered.The cl
"Sure, Mr. Sillivan." No one had ever disagreed with him, and it seemed the students in the class held Grant in high regard.Grant gestured toward an empty seat and said to Eden, "You can sit next to Joy."Eden followed his gaze to a young girl with twin braids, whose appearance could be described as cute.Nodding, Eden walked over.Her seat was by the window, which she liked.She placed her books on the table and hung her uniform on the chair. She then sat back, pulled out her phone and started to fiddle with it, completely unconcerned.Seeing this, Grant wanted to say something, but Eden's icy demeanor stopped him.Despite her slender build and ordinary background, Eden seemed less intimidating than the affluent children. Yet, Grant felt interacting with her might prove more challenging.Eden was striking; she had drawn attention the moment she entered.Some boys were impressed by her nonchalant phone use in front of Grant. "She's so cool."However, not all girls were impre
Eden had just risen when two young men approached her."Hello, I'm Ewan Horton, and we're classmates now. If you need anything, just let me know. Everyone here is pretty friendly, so I'm sure the others will help you out too," Ewan said with a boyish smile, extending his hand.Eden lifted her eyes. Still groggy from her long nap, her aloof demeanor seemed rather intimidating. "Hello."Despite her polite tone, they couldn't shake off the chill.Ewan withdrew his hand with a wry smile. "Are you heading to lunch? Shall we go together?""Sure," Eden replied, heading off.In the back of the classroom, the short-haired girl shot an angry look at the long-haired girl. "Why did Ewan leave with the new girl? Isn't he supposed to have lunch with you every day?"The short-haired girl was Carina Duran, from a middle-class business family. The long-haired girl was Laudes Aradia, scion of the esteemed Aradia family from Estburg.Ranked third among Estburg's families, the Aradias were distinc
Joy had grabbed lunch for both of them when someone suddenly tripped her on her way back. Her grip on the trays loosened, and lunch spilled across the floor as she fell.Eden, engrossed in her phone, snapped her gaze toward the noise, eyes narrowing.Ewan also heard the commotion and moved to react, but Morris intervened. "Ewan, that's Simon Navarro. It's best not to."While the Hortons wielded influence in Estburg, their clout in Rielton was negligible.Simon, second in line in the powerful Rielton family, treated Riverside Senior High as his personal domain.Ewan and Simon had clashed before, resulting in significant losses for the Horton family business within days and a sharp drop in their stocks, all orchestrated by Simon.The Hortons were powerless to retaliate.Ewan bit his lip, his fist slamming the table in frustration. "Damn it!"Joy struggled to rise when someone stepped on her hand, causing tears to well up from the pain. But she fought back the urge to cry; showing
Simon grabbed his leg and toppled to the ground, losing his balance.Eden calmly helped Joy up.Joy was speechless, the events unfolding too swiftly for anyone to react.Simon's scream broke the stunned silence, snapping everyone back to reality. Wide-eyed gazes were fixed on Eden, disbelief etched on their faces.Ewan and Morris were dumbfounded.Morris finally managed to gulp, murmuring, "Oh my god, Ewan, she's ruthless!"Ewan's body tensed, his expression darkening. "She's in serious trouble now."Once Morris regained his composure, he nodded solemnly. "You're right. Simon won't let this slide, especially with his leg snapped like that."He hesitated for a moment before asking again, "But did she really break his leg just like that?"Copying Eden's gesture, Morris questioned, "Just like that? His leg is really broken?"Ewan frowned, observing Simon. "Looks like it. His leg's definitely broken."Turning his attention to Eden, Ewan wondered who she really was.She showed n
When Grant had Eden sit next to her, Joy felt a rush of happiness. No one had voluntarily sat next to her ever since the bullying started. She didn't want to befriend Eden, knowing that associating with her would only bring Eden trouble.Joy merely wanted to help Eden get acquainted with the school. She planned to keep her distance after. She never expected that when Simon bullied her, Eden would step in and even break Simon's leg. Joy was deeply moved, but she also knew the danger of antagonizing someone like Simon."Pay for my medical bills?" Simon sneered, spitting in Joy's face. "You think you can afford that?"Eden's gaze narrowed as she slowly raised her eyes, a dangerous glint flickering in them. A palpable hostility surrounded her, signaling her lethal intent.Those who knew Eden would know that her instinct to take action had been triggered.Eden was about to take a step forward when Ewan grabbed her arm. "Don't. You may not be afraid because you have backing, but have yo
Joy's mind remained clouded as she left the cafeteria.Ewan and Morris silently trailed behind Eden.Ewan couldn't help but steal glances at Eden, expecting to see worry or fear etched on her face.Instead, she stood tall and composed, exuding an air of icy confidence."Thank you," Joy finally murmured, lowering her head timidly. "But you shouldn't have. What should we do now? Simon won't let this go. Shouldn't we tell a teacher, Eden?"Eden was typing a message to Alain when Joy spoke up. She glanced over, a hint of curiosity in her piercing gaze. "Why would I tell a teacher?"She continued typing, momentarily distracted by her phone."At least the teachers can speak up for you. Simon isn't someone we can handle, and I don't want to drag you into this," Joy insisted firmly.Alain replied to Eden's text. She read it, swiftly typing out a response. [Arrange for a few bodyguards to protect my grandma. I'll cover the expenses.]After sending the message, Eden pocketed her phone a
The dean sat in his office, rubbing his temples wearily as he listened to a student's report. "Where's Simon now?""In the hospital," the student replied. "The doctor mentioned his leg injury might be permanent."The dean sighed deeply. Things had spiraled out of control.Furrowing his brow, he asked, "And Carina?""Also in the hospital. Her right wrist is fractured," the student added with a trace of lingering unease.They were just teenagers after all. Even though schoolyard fights weren't uncommon, maiming another student was unheard of.That new transfer student was something else.She had essentially crippled two students on her first day.And one of them happened to be Simon from the Navarro family.He couldn't fathom the repercussions Eden would face after this."Alright," the dean said with a resigned tone. "You may go now."After the student left, the dean wasted no time calling the principal's office."Are you in, Samuel?" His voice betrayed his anxiety."I'm her