In the end, Emily Blair's name appeared at the very top of the class announcement board, bold and unmistakable-First Place.

Now, both her classmates and teachers carried themselves with newfound pride, shoulders squared as if her achievement reflected on them, too.

Even those students who used to mock her, the ones who'd whispered that her exile meant her downfall, had all but vanished. They hid out in the classroom now, too embarrassed to show their faces.

When Emily was called over by her subject teacher, she didn't think too much of it. The teacher spoke to her with all the gravity of a parent confiding in their child:

"Mr. Lane really cares about you, Emily. That's why he arranged for the honors class teacher to work with your group. Normally, those teachers only handle the honors students, but now they're taking care of your class as well.”

“With grades like this, Mr. Lane must be pleased. You should talk to him—ask if he'll move you back to your original class. There's no need to stay here with this unruly crowd and let them hold you back."

Emily lowered her gaze and nodded, the perfect picture of a well-behaved student.

Andrew Lane cares about her?

He doesn't.

He never has.

Stop making things up.

In her previous life, Andrew Lane would have shipped her off to some remote corner of the world if he could, just to make sure she'd never return.

And in this life, he kept doing reckless, impulsive things for Isabella Austin-how could he possibly care about Emily?

She didn't want to talk about Andrew Lane any longer. So, with a quick nod, she replied, "Understood, thank you, sir. Is there anything else? If not, I'll head back now."

When the teacher nodded, Emily turned around immediately.

Suddenly, a tall shadow loomed before her-broad and imposing, so much so that her heart skipped a beat and she instinctively stepped back.

The newcomer wore a perfectly tailored black suit, every inch of him exuding authority and cool detachment. His lips formed a straight, serious line-not cruel, but certainly enough to keep people at arm's length.

His dark eyes were flat and unreadable, regarding Emily with only the faintest flicker of interest, as if she were little more than a passing distraction.

Emily's breath caught in her throat.

Andrew Lane.

She tried to sidestep him, but his hand shot out, catching her wrist-though he let go just as quickly.

"Stay," Andrew Lane said, his voice low and unhurried, but brooking no argument. Emily felt her chest tighten.

Every teacher in the office sprang to their feet, their faces brightening with obsequious smiles. "Mr. Lane! What a surprise to see you."

He nodded once, slipping his hands into his pockets. “Thank you for looking after Emily these past weeks."

"Oh, it's nothing at all," one teacher replied eagerly. “Emily's an excellent student— never gives us any trouble. In fact, she just earned the highest score in the entire grade on this month's exams."

"Impressive," Andrew Lane said.

Emily looked up, startled.

Praise from Andrew Lane was rare-nearly impossible to come by. Even his subordinates seldom heard a kind word from him.

Emily fidgeted with her fingers, feeling a strange discomfort she couldn't quite name.

Suddenly, Andrew Lane glanced over at her.

Without giving it another thought, Emily strode out of the office, pointedly ignoring his command to stay.

But his voice followed her down the hallway, deep and unmistakable: "Emily Blair." She only walked faster, lengthening her stride.

Later, after classes let out for lunch, Emily and Elizabeth Wilson joined a few friends and headed to the dining hall together.

She assumed Andrew Lane had left the campus already, but there he was, sitting beneath the shade of an old tree. He wore gold-rimmed glasses and sat on a stone bench, eyes fixed on his tablet, the blue glow reflecting off his lenses and making him appear even colder and more distant.

Beside him stood his assistant, also in a black suit, every bit as stern and proper.

The two of them cut such a striking figure in the middle of the bustling campus that nearly every student took notice.

Emily and her friends spotted them, too.

Everyone looked at her expectantly, but Emily just pressed her lips together. "Ignore them. Let's keep going."

She quickened her pace, hoping to slip past before Andrew Lane could notice her.

But luck wasn't on her side.

"Emily Blair. Come here."

Her whole body tensed. Dozens of curious eyes swiveled in her direction, making

her want to crawl out of her own skin.

She kept her gaze forward and marched on, refusing to look back.