"You—" Even with her usual self-control, Carmen found herself fuming at Evelyn's sharp tongue. Ring, ring, ring! The class bell rang, and students dispersed, leaving Linara and her crew to make a hasty, embarrassed exit under the watchful eyes of Class F. Evelyn took a gander at Seraphina. "So, you're the daughter the Whitewood Family just brought back? Not bad-looking. The Whitewoods scored big." "Young lady, class is starting," Xavier reminded, glancing at the only student still standing in the room, looking mildly exasperated. He knew this girl by reputation but had never seen her before. She was infamous around school as someone from the Drakon Family in Pearlpoint. No one else on campus would dare dress like her. "Boring," Evelyn muttered under her breath, tossing her brightly colored hair as she left, her metal chains clinking with every step. "That was Evelyn Drakon! It's my first time seeing her." "I almost thought she knew Seraphina." "I've heard of her for a year now but never actually saw her around." "They say she hardly ever shows up to school—maybe a day per semester." "Do you think Evelyn and Shane are siblings?" "Not even close. Evelyn's from the Drakon Family in Pearlpoint, while Shane's dad, impressive as he might be in Pyrin, is nowhere near that level." "So, why would Evelyn come to Pyrin?" "I heard she was kicked out by the Drakon Family. She's supposedly an illegitimate child." The students continued to chatter excitedly, paying no attention to Xavier's attempts to start his lesson. Xavier's patience wore thin as their voices grew louder. Finally, he turned and slammed his hand on the desk. Instantly, the room fell silent. "This is class time. If you want to chat, save it for afterward." He resumed the lesson, but barely two sentences in, the murmurs began again. Xavier's face darkened, sighing in resignation. Just then, a cold voice cut through the noise from the back of the room. "Quiet!" Everyone turned to look at Seraphina, and this time, the class fell completely silent. … In the garden of Whitewood Residence, Chloe was arranging flowers when she saw her daughter approaching. Smiling, she greeted her, "Linara, you're back." "Mm," Linara murmured, her voice choked. Noticing her unusual demeanor, Chloe immediately set down her scissors. "What happened? Did someone bully you?"Linara threw herself into Chloe's arms, sobbing, "Mom, why aren't you my real mom?" Chloe's heart sank. "Is someone spreading rumors?" Linara shook her head, staying silent. "Did Seraphina bully you?" "N-No, Mom, don't blame her. It's my fault. I shouldn't be here, making her unhappy," Linara whimpered through her tears. Chloe's expression hardened. "What did she do to you?" Linara shook her head again, but under Chloe's persistent questioning, she finally "confessed" the story. "Kelly's my friend, and she… she filed a lawsuit against her. Kelly was wrong, but it wasn't anything that serious. I just wanted her to let it go, but she… in front of everyone… she…" At this point, Linara broke into loud sobs, drawing the attention of the household staff, who looked on with puzzled expressions.