Ashley could feel the weight of their stares—some filled with judgment, others with glee at her discomfort. She loved Arthur, but she didn’t want to carry the label of a woman who could only rely on a man. Lily saw Ashley’s eyes turn red and felt a surge of triumph. So this was her weakness. The perfect target to strike. A few male students in the room hesitated, wanting to speak up for Ashley, but as soon as they caught the sharp glares from their female classmates, they quickly backed down. Just as Lily was about to say something even more humiliating, a tall figure appeared at the door. His broad shoulders cast a long shadow into the room, his presence overwhelming the entire space. The light from outside framed his silhouette, making him appear even more imposing. His sharp features were as cold as ice, his deep eyes scanning the room before locking onto one person—Ashley. For a brief second, there was only silence. Then— Screams erupted. "Oh my god! It's Arthur! That’s Arthur!!" "He looks even better than he does on TV!" "It’s really him! He actually came to Skyward Academy!" Ashley heard the commotion and slowly turned around. But before she could fully see who it was, she was pulled into a firm, familiar embrace. She instinctively tried to pull away, but as soon as she caught the scent she knew so well, she froze. Arthur. Arthur is here.She lifted her head, staring at the faint stubble on his jaw in disbelief. In an instant, every bit of grievance she had been suppressing crashed down on her. Her eyes burned with unshed tears. She opened her mouth, wanting to ask him, Arthur, why are you here? But before she could say a word, her tears betrayed her, spilling over. Arthur gently wiped them away, his voice low and soothing. "I’m here. Don’t be scared." If anything, his words only made the tears fall harder. Arthur pulled her closer, pressing her head against his chest. His gaze lifted, sweeping over the room. It was frigid. Lily and the girls around her felt an instant chill crawl down their spines. Arthur hadn’t spoken another word, yet his mere presence was suffocating. It was like being plunged into an ice-cold abyss. And yet, the way he held Ashley—so protective, so intimate—felt like another slap to their faces. They had all assumed that because Arthur hadn’t come to see Ashley, it meant he didn’t care about her. But now, with the way he looked at her— Could someone who didn’t love her hold her this tightly? His gaze on Ashley was so tender it could melt, yet when he looked at them, it was as if they were nothing but insects under his feet. Lily felt her whole body go cold. How… How could this happen! Arthur wasn’t supposed to be here! For so long, she had entertained the thought of catching his attention. A man as exceptional as him—how could she not be tempted? But now, looking at the way he embraced Ashley, Lily felt utterly insignificant.She wanted to salvage the situation, to put on a softer, more feminine act. But under Arthur’s bone-chilling gaze, she didn’t even dare to move. Arthur’s eyes landed on her. Lily felt her breath hitch. She had always been aware that she wasn’t conventionally attractive. She was too tall, too broad-shouldered—something that had made her insecure all her life. She had fantasized countless times about meeting Arthur, but never had she imagined this. His gaze was colder than ice, sharper than a blade. "You bullied Ashley." Arthur’s voice was slow, deliberate—yet the weight behind it made her knees feel weak. His tone was even, almost casual, but it crushed down on her like a mountain. Lily stood frozen, unable to respond. One of the girls beside her tugged at her sleeve in panic. Snapping out of it, Lily frantically shook her head. "No! I—I didn’t bully her! I just… I just…" She couldn’t finish the sentence. Arthur’s stare was suffocating. Her mind went blank. She couldn’t think, couldn’t function— His voice, dangerously calm, cut through the silence. "Just what?"