*A Year later*
Every student in the hallway was engaged in conversation with one another. It was the beginning of another week. Renowned as the best high school in the city, Rao City High School was attended by the social elite. Some, however, believed it to be an unfair school where wealthy people enjoyed greater privileges than those from lower-class backgrounds. “The school flower just arrived! Clear the way everyone!” Hearing the voice of the popular follower of the school flower, the people in the hall moved to a side, excitement on their faces. Seeing the beauty was what they always pray for. The school flower was not only beautiful, but she was also very nice and made no distinction between the rich and the poor. She cares about everyone. “School Beauty, take the flowers. It represents your beauty.” A girl, around eighteen years old, stepped into the hallway with two girls behind her. She embodied the true meaning of beauty. Her rosy lips, her wavy hair, her charming little eyes that drew in young men… Sincerely, she was breathtaking. She grinned at each person who gave her a gift and said, “Thank you.” When they reached a corner, she exhaled deeply and placed all the gifts into her friend's hand. She adjusted her hair and clothes and remarked, “It is really not easy.” “I know, right? They all want to be friends with you” One of her friends commented, attempting to flatter her. “They are all losers!” As the three girls were busy talking, a girl walked in, ready to walk past them. She bowed her head, not wanting to meet the girls' eyes directly. “Sofia, you are too big to say hi, right?” With a sly smile on her lips, the School flower moved ahead of the girl. Sofia kept her head lowered, afraid to look directly at the school flower. “Why did you participate in the beauty contest, Sofia? Are you intending to mock me?” The School Flower uttered, placing her hand on the girl's head. “I'm truly sorry, Dahlia. It was my homeroom teacher who asked me to participate. I would never try to mock you.” Unlike Dahlia, who was the school Flower, Sofia was a student from a low-class background. Although she was attractive, she did not receive the same recognition from the students as Dahlia. Dahlia started to act very insecurely, taunting Sofia whenever she had the chance. Not many people are aware of it, and even if they were, Sofia would still get the blame. Dahlia raised her hand to smack the girl, but her hand was stopped midair. Shocked, she lifted her head and saw the face of a boy, about her age. When she recognized the face, her eyes widened with shock. She took a step back, body instinctively retreating, as though her subconscious had triggered a defensive response to protect her. “What… are you… doing… here?” She stuttered, her lips trembling. After what happened more than a year ago, the boy vanished and no one heard from him again. When Dahlia asked about him from his step-brother, she was told the boy had moved away. Far away and would never come back. But now that she was staring at him, her blood froze and she nearly lost her balance. She blinked quickly, trying to get rid of the disbelieving fog that was obscuring her vision. “What do you mean? I can't come to school anymore?” Ivan scoffed, jerking her hand off. He turned to face Sofia who was already trembling. “You should know she's just jealous of your beauty, don't let her bully you.” Sofia gave a grateful nod, mumbled her appreciation, and took off. It was at this moment that Dahlia took a good look at the young man before her with her mouth slightly opened. The last time she saw him, he appeared to be chubby, rugged, and not particularly attractive. However, the Ivan in front of her appeared different. Different from what she saw last. His disheveled hair had been expertly shaved and styled, and his fuller mustache now appeared hairless and sleek. Most importantly, he appears to have lost some weight and grown in height. Dahlia was astounded by what she saw, but she was powerless to argue, since she had known Ivan back when he was attractive and still took care of himself. “What… do you think you are doing?” She was still unable to speak clearly, even after a short while. “Coming to school, of course” Ivan answered. Without waiting for her to reply, he turned around, ready to leave. Of course, Dahlia would not give up easily. What was Ivan doing in her school? Even when they were engaged, he attended a different school from hers. While they went to the same middle school, Ivan transferred to a different high school. Or was he here to beg her? “If you are here to beg me, it's better for you to leave right now? Because I didn't allow you to go jail, doesn't mean I have interest in you! Leave now!” Dahlia uttered brazenly, placing her hands on her waist. Ivan stopped in his tracks, a low chuckle escaping his lips. He had truly changed over the past three months, immersing himself in a plethora of positive experiences in an attempt to shed the negative energy he carried with him from the Langland Family. “I think I should settle scores with you since I'm going to be spending my last days of high school here anyway" Ivan replied nonchalantly. “I had pestered you in the past because of my foolishness, but sincerely, you aren't even that worth it. And for what you did a year ago…" “Are you insulting me now because you have changed and perhaps worked out a little?” Dahlia laughed out loud. “You are nothing to me, Ivan. Your family has abandoned and disowned you. Tell me why you believe you can attend school here. Here, you will fit in with the lower classes, just as you did in your family.” “We will see about that, won't we?” Ivan answered, walking away. After Ivan left, Dahlia felt her whole body trembling as she fiddled with her phone. “Go and report him to the teachers!” She screamed at her friends, who promptly fled to obey her orders. Dahlia tapped the call button on her phone after entering a series of numbers. “Didn't you say he has gone faraway and would never come back?” Dahlia spoke frantically as soon as the call got connected. “What do you mean?” The other person answered, a hint of perplexity in his voice. “Ivan is back” Dahlia replied, almost in a whisper.With both hands in his pockets, Ivan entered the classroom accompanied by his homeroom teacher. The homeroom teacher continued to gaze at him, her lips pressed into an awkward smile.The woman was wondering why it took Ivan so late to return to school. She was a little worried that the boy might not be able to keep up with the rest of the class, even though the senior certificate exam was still several months away.And besides, it is unlikely for a great school like Rao High School to admit a final year student. Not especially into Classroom A! This new student background must be a little more powerful.“Ivan, right? Do not hesitate to ask me anything if you have any difficulty” Miss Clara, the teacher, voiced out as she reached the front of Classroom A. Ivan nodded, a tight smile on his lips. It was obvious to him already that the woman was staring at him more intently than normal.“I will introduce you to your classmates now. They are all nice people, be nice to them, okay?”Ivan g
With shock and sadness written all over her face, Sofia ran to Ivan as soon as he returned to the classroom after finishing the test. The guy ignored her warning not to tamper with Daphne West, despite her warnings.Sofia was sorry for him, believing that he would have to experience what she had.“What are you going to do now, Ivan? Run as fast as you can or leave Classroom A! This class is really not what you think it is” She spoke fast, her voice carrying a hint of nervousness. “Don’t worry about me, Sofia” Ivan waved her words off with his hand. “Just sit and watch perfectly.”Sofia grew increasingly concerned, believing that Ivan was making a concerted effort to keep his cool. She became really restless but could only stop talking when she started receiving weird stares from her classmates. With a smile on his lips, Freddie approached Ivan after Sofia had returned to her seat. He sat on the empty seat that was opposite Ivan.“Just go back to where you’ve been hiding all these ye
Ivan became popular in the school the next morning as the student who asked Daphne West to kneel down in front of the whole school. The students were all anticipating this and wondered if the spoiled brat of Assemblyman West would really kneel in front of the whole school.The hallway was packed, more so than usual, as everyone awaited the arrival of Daphne West and the boy who had made this seemingly impossible task possible.As Ivan entered the hallway, all eyes were on him but none of the students could voice out what they all wanted to say. They are all afraid that if things later go wrong, Daphne would take it out on all of them. Ivan saw Sofia, unfazed by the stares, he walked towards her. But before he could get to her side, Sofia backed away, disappearing around the corner.Ivan frowned almost immediately.A boy appeared before Ivan with a group of boys behind him. They all wore rough clothes, resembling wealthy vagrants with no sense of style. The boy who appeared to be thei
Many people had already gathered to watch Dean West demonstrate his skills when Ivan arrived at the field.At the moment, the boy was shirtless, showing off his well-defined abs and muscles while grinning wickedly at the girls who were constantly fangirling over him.Ivan's lips twisted in disgust, watching the scene. As he stopped in his tracks, he felt someone bump into him and it was then he realized that someone was behind him.“Watch where you are going and don't injure yourself" Ivan told Sofia who has been keeping her head down after he beat up those bullies. Ivan has heard a brief anecdote about Sofia's admission to class A. She was the only person in the class with parents from a lower socioeconomic status.Her mother was the cook in Daphne's home, and her father was the gardener. Sofia was able to join Classroom A because of this.“You don't have to do it earlier. They are Dean’s boys and would definitely do something to you” Sofia spoke slowly, avoiding Ivan’s gaze."Worry
Ivan Langland broke Dean West's arm.It wasn’t long before the whole school knew what happened on the field. No one had expected Dean to land in the hospital. However, his injuries were severe, rendering him unable to stand.Surprisingly, it was Ivan who helped him to the infirmary.No one had expected this, considering Dean’s position as the president of the taekwondo club, his numerous awards, and his past representation of the country as a kid.It was difficult to believe Ivan’s single flip had broken Dean's arm and sent him to the hospital.“Are you going to talk to Ivan? I’m quite surprised he has changed,” the curly-haired girl uttered, playfulness flashing in her eyes. “I don’t even know why you pulled that on him a year ago, but if we are serious, he used to be so handsome before high school. He became more handsome after a year, still!”“Shut the f*ck up, Tory! Don’t say anything about what happened a year ago. We promised to keep each other's secrets. Keep my secret away fro
Ivan didn’t realize how far Sofia lived from school until he reached her street, and then he understood why she was often looked down upon in class.Sofia tried to stop Ivan, embarrassed, but he couldn’t abandon her, especially with Dahlia potentially causing trouble for the already injured girl.“You can go back now. Thank you for today,” Sofia said softly, trying to dissuade him, but Ivan persisted, thinking she was just being polite.Eventually, they reached a courtyard where an elderly woman stood expectantly. As her eyes met theirs, they brightened with recognition.“I was wondering why you were late. It seems you've brought a friend,” the old woman greeted with a smile.“We had a bit of an incident,” Sofia began, her voice low, making it hard for the old woman to hear.“You're back. Welcome,” the old woman greeted warmly.“Good evening,” Ivan replied politely, releasing Sofia's hand and bowing his head.“How are you? Thank you for escorting Sofia home. She's always afraid of pas
In the small bar, the man sat, facing his desk with an amused expression on his face. “Is the assemblyman playing? He wants us to deal with a high school kid?” The man chuckled and set his phone down on the desk. “I will send someone later to deal with him. Where are the others?”“They went to collect money from those people” One of the men gathered at a corner not far from where their boss sat answered. “They are yet to be back.” “If the parents refuse to pay, the girl should come and start working here. I can’t be lending out money and be going through the stress” The Boss hissed. Soon after, two men with heavily bruised bodies and battered breathing burst through the door. “Boss!” They were gasping for air and writhing in agony. “We…” “What the f*ck!” With a curse, the Boss's shocked eyes grew wide. “What the h*ll is wrong with you guys? Did the SK Gang attack again?! I will make sure to kill their boss this time! Where is Snake?! Is he being held captive by their boss? Get me m
The Big Mansion was the only building around the area as Ivan walked through the silent space. His hands were in his pockets as he raised his head to look at the towering building above.It had been a year since he arrived in this place, yet it only felt like yesterday.This place seemed to hold secrets that none of the members spoke about.Ivan entered through the large gate, his eyes as cold as ice, but as he saw the old man standing at the entrance, his heart softened a bit.“You're back!” The Old Man's eyes brightened, waving his hands in the air. “I have been waiting for you.”“I’m sorry I'm late. Something happened to a classmate, so I had to help her home,” Ivan explained, a smile on his lips.Old Master Reyfold was the father of Roshni, Ivan’s mother, and also the former president of the Reyfold Group.When Ivan first came here, this man had taken him in with open hands and a wide smile on his face. He never knew he had family from his mother’s side; even his father didn’t kno