"What are you looking at?" Thora turned at the sound of the voice and found Roxen standing beside her, having suddenly appeared without her noticing. She shook her head and asked casually, "How long has Mr. Moore been at the school?" Seeing how Thora acted like they were already close, Roxen found it amusing, but he answered her question anyway. "I don't know exactly how long. He was already here before I enrolled. He's one of Mr. Mercer's people, and he's pretty well-liked by the students." Thora's brow furrowed, a cold glint flashing in her eyes. Roxen glanced at Jeremy, who had already walked far away, then looked back at Thora, his eyebrow arching. "What's this? Got a thing for Mr. Moore?" There was a hint of teasing in Roxen's voice. Thora gave Roxen a flat look and ignored him, turning her attention toward Shirley instead. The man standing with Shirley was the same person who had delivered blankets to her before. "Mike?" She murmured in confusion. When did those two get so close? "You know him?" Roxen's voice lifted at the end. "He brought warmth." Thora replied flatly. Roxen was speechless. What was that supposed to mean? "He delivered blankets when I first enrolled." Thora added in explanation. Roxen frowned—wasn't that something he had asked Mike to do? ... Watching Mike and Shirley chat happily together, Thora also frowned. The way Mike looked at Shirley was impossible to miss—there was an intensity and possessiveness that was painfully obvious. But the moment Shirley looked his way, his gaze turned incredibly gentle. Shirley had always been sensitive to danger. If Mike meant her any harm, there was no way she would be hanging around him so comfortably. So Mike probably didn't have any ill intentions toward her. "Mike's been seeking her out a lot lately." Roxen suddenly spoke up, a smile playing on his lips. "He's never been this invested in any girl before." Thora's voice carried a hint of sentiment. "He's very brave." "Hm?" Roxen looked confused. Thora answered seriously. "Usually, anyone who sets their sights on Shirley doesn't end up well." "That's not necessarily true." Roxen's green eyes flashed, his tone full of certainty. Thora glanced at him curiously."When Mike locks onto a target, he never misses. And he absolutely never lets go." Roxen's tone was definitive, as if he had already foreseen the outcome. Thora didn't comment. She simply said, "Nothing is ever completely within anyone's control." She paused, then added, "That goes for everyone." With that, she walked straight toward them. ... Roxen chuckled at Thora's words but didn't follow. He just stood there, watching her retreating figure. Though Thora wasn't particularly tall by military academy standards, her overall proportions were perfectly balanced. No matter where she was or what the situation, her presence always stood out. And yet she was only an 18 year-old girl. An 18 year-old girl... Roxen's gaze slowly shifted, fixed on Thora's back until she reached Mike and Shirley. ... "Thank you, Mike!" Shirley was beaming, her hands full of candy. Mike smiled and reached out to ruffle her hair. On a whim, he couldn't resist giving her little ear a gentle touch, coaxing her softly. "Good girl." The way they looked together gave off serious "luring a minor" vibes. The moment Shirley saw Thora approaching, she immediately forgot about Mike and ran straight to Thora's side, her eyes sparkling with joy. "Thora!" Thora didn't say much to Mike. She just turned and left with Shirley in tow. One second ago, the adorable little girl had been smiling sweetly at him. The next, she was following Thora without so much as a backward glance. Mike felt like his heart had taken a devastating hit. He stood there, abandoned and windswept, utterly lost. His precious little cutie—the moment she saw Thora, he completely ceased to exist in her eyes. Could Shirley actually have a thing for Thora? ... Roxen watched the drama unfold from a distance. Seeing Mike's darkened expression, he felt an unexpected wave of glee. He smiled, slipped one hand into his pocket, and turned to leave. He had to admit, this time Shirley had gotten the attention of someone she really shouldn't have. Mike being ranked fifth on the academy-wide overall rankings was no fluke. And Roxen knew Mike's personality all too well. Once he set his sights on something he wanted, he would use every means necessary to make it his...