Imperial Heights.

Charlotte lounged in bed, a bowl of fresh fruit resting in her lap as she leisurely snacked.

The sound of running water from the bathroom stopped, and Anthony stepped out with a towel wrapped low around his waist.

He had certainly threatened to "teach her a lesson" tonight.

At first, Charlotte, heavy with pregnancy, was totally outmatched and thoroughly pinned down.

But right at the critical moment, she had thrown her arms around his neck and put on a pitiful face. "My stomach hurts a little."

Anthony hadn't dared to push it. He instantly pulled back, so panicked he almost called for a doctor.

After half an hour of fussing over her, any lingering desire had been completely extinguished.

Now, looking at how comfortably she was lounging, she didn't look like someone in pain at all.

Noticing Anthony's frustrated mood, Charlotte bit off a piece of cantaloupe and leaned over, offering the rest to his lips with a playful raise of her brow.

Anthony stared at her intently for a few seconds before opening his mouth to take the fruit, stealing a quick kiss in the process.

"Anthony..."

Watching him chew, Charlotte traced a finger over his bare chest, her voice sweet and coaxing. "I still have a stack of exams to grade. Could you..."

His eyes darkened, and his first instinct was to spit the fruit back out.

He knew she didn't have pure intentions.

"Don't you dare spit it out." Charlotte covered his mouth with her hand, flashing him a brilliant smile with just a hint of a pout. "I proctored an exam today, and your baby has been giving me grief. I can't sleep, I can't eat..."

Anthony remained silent, glancing pointedly at the empty snack wrappers and the half-eaten fruit bowl beside her.

"I can only eat a little bit," Charlotte smoothly corrected herself. "So, could you just help me out a little tonight? Please?"

Anthony let her cling to him, an indulgent smile tugging at his lips.

"You're asking for my help, and this is my reward?"

"Then how about this?" She cupped his face and kissed him deeply. "Is that enough?"

"Not even close."

He arched an eyebrow, pushing his luck.

The smile vanished from Charlotte's face. She let go of him, kicked him toward the edge of the bed, and pulled the covers up to her chin her voice turning cold. "The answer key is on the desk. Keep it downwhile you're grading.

And try to be lenient. I have a reputation for being a kind teacher to uphold." Seeing her bossy attitude, Anthony let out a helpless chuckle.

He tucked the blankets snugly around her shoulders and murmured softly, "Go to sleep. I'll handle it."

With a faint smile, he turned off the overhead light, flicked on the desk lamp, and began meticulously grading the papers.

The test was undeniably difficult.

But it was also the best way to gauge the students' patience and comprehension.

As Anthony read through them, he had to admit he was impressed by their creativity.

They truly were the top minds at The Cabinda University.

With an exceptional mentor like Charlotte, these students were bound to make the university proud one day.

...

The students were officially on break.

The volunteer teaching trip was finally on the schedule.

Stella finished packing her bags. Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted a handful of candies on her desk.

Roger had secretly slipped them into her backpack last time, and she hadn't gotten around to eating them yet.

She hesitated for a moment.

Ultimately, Stella picked them up and tucked them into an inner pocket of her bag.

"Stella, that place is practically in the middle of nowhere. Are you sure you want to go?"

Her roommate looked with concern at Stella's delicate frame.

"Yeah."

Stella

face. "There are a lot of kids out

the warm smile on her

are desperate to learn.

abe outside world

I just want to help however I can."

She knew that feeling all too well. Being abandoned by her family in Lamplighter Village, meeting other kids who shared her tragic fate-it had left a lasting mark on her hearts