Chapter 23 Darlene was talking with Alaric . He asked her why she hadn't attended classes these past two days , and she replied that she had gone to the orphanage . " Was it because of Lucian ? " he asked . Darlene responded with a soft hum . " Do you often fall behind in your studies because of Lucian ? " Alaric said . " Yet your grades are still so good . Do you stay up all night at home to catch up ? " Darlene smiled faintly and said nothing . Alaric pursed his lips . " My grades aren't great either . Can you help me the way you help Lucian ? I'll pay you . You can charge by the hour - how about two hundred thousand per hour ? " The boy had a head of soft brown curls and bright , puppy - like eyes , his face radiating innocence . Darlene remained unmoved and shook her head . " I'm not qualified to charge such a high fee . " The underlying message was a refusal . Darlene walked straight to her seat , but suddenly sensed an icy , resentful gaze fixed upon her . She turned to look and saw Lucian , his face dark , lips curled , looking fierce and intimidating . Bernice sneered , " Some people really think a pretty face can help them cross social classes . Mr. Alaric is naive , which makes him the perfect target . " " It's barely the start of the semester, and she's already whispering with Mr. Alaric . What an act . " A wave of malice swept over Everyone had seen Darlene talking to Alaric . They didn't care who started the conversation ; they just thought it was jarring to see a sponsored admit mingling with someone from the top of the pyramid . It was as if a world that belonged to them had been forcibly intruded upon by a lowly outsider , disrupting the balance . Mr. Alaric seemed cheerful and simple , but he wasn't easy to approach . Not just anyone could strike up a conversation with him . Could it be that he was interested in Darlene ? * She ran into Mr. Langley at the orphanage , and now she's chatting with Mr. Alaric . What a flirt . " " Is she here at Wintervale Academy just to find a boyfriend ? " " Everyone knows she's only in our class because of the Calder family's favor . " " She acts like a model student in front of the teachers , all sweet and obedient , but behind the scenes she's just here to catch herself a rich husband . " Though no names were mentioned , the words were truly unpleasant . Darlene remained calmn , took out her textbook , and began reviewing her notes . She sat upright at her desk . The wind from outside drifted in , her long black hair falling gently down her back . Her serene and beautiful face seemed like a gift from the Creator . She possessed a unique temperament - cool , obedient , and yet very gentle . She seemed completely unconcerned by the rumors swirling around her . Alaric frowned , just about to say that he was the one who had approached Darlene at the classroom door . Lucian's face was dark as he suddenly kicked the chair beside him . " Bang ! " The sound exploded in the noisy classroom like a clap of thunder . He had always been hot - tempered . One kick wasn't enough - he kicked Bernice's chair as well , his expression fierce . " So noisy . Shut up . " 16/29 7 StarShort Secretly telling you ! I watched this whort dr hight and didn't steen a wink : 575 Shop Now O < Chapter 23 The classroom instantly fell silent . Everett licked his lips , glanced at Darlene , then at Lucian , and clicked his tongue . " Mr . Calder sure has a temper . " " Do you think you're clever ? " Lucian retorted . Everett shrugged and smiled . " Your maid is very pretty . " Menu A flash of anger crossed Lucian's eyes . He turned his head to look out the window , the corners of his mouth lifting slightly . " There are plenty of beautiful women out there . " " But this one is the most beautiful , " Everett teased . Through the reflection in the glass window , a thin layer of sunlight fell across the girl's face . Her grip on the pen was focused , and her neatly trimmed , rounded nails even glowed with a faint pink hue . AD