The next few days passed almost peacefully. The whispers had begun to fade, and for once, Liora felt like she could breathe again.
Ethan was his usual calm self, walking beside her between classes, cracking quiet jokes, acting as though the rumors never existed. His strength grounded her.
But peace never lasted long in Adrian's world.
That morning, a notice appeared on the department board. Big, bold letters announced:
"Scholarship Evaluation Reassessment – Ethics Review Pending."
Ethan's name was right underneath it.
Liora's stomach dropped. "Ethan… what is this?"
He frowned, scanning the paper. "They're claiming my scholarship might be revoked because of 'inconsistencies' in my admission record."
Her pulse quickened. "That's ridiculous. You earned your place."
"Someone must've filed a complaint," he said quietly.
Liora didn't need to ask who.
Across the hallway, Adrian leaned against the lockers, surrounded by his usual circle of friends. His lazy grin faltered only when his eyes met hers—then it sharpened. A silent checkmate.
Her blood boiled.
"Liora," Ethan said, catching her wrist before she could march over there. "Don't. That's exactly what he wants."
Her voice shook. "You can't just let him do this!"
"I'll fix it," he said firmly. "I've got nothing to hide."
But even as he spoke, Liora saw the flicker of worry in his eyes. The scholarship meant everything to him. Without it, he wouldn't be able to stay in the program.
By lunchtime, the entire college was buzzing again.
"Did you hear? Ethan might get expelled.""Guess the rumors were true after all.""Poor Liora. Always picking the wrong guy."
Liora sat in the courtyard, staring at her untouched food. Her fingers trembled as she scrolled through her phone, reading post after post on the student forum—anonymous comments twisting the story, blaming Ethan, mocking her.
It was worse than before. This time, Adrian hadn't used whispers. He'd used proof. Falsified, maybe, but convincing enough to destroy someone's name.
When Ethan finally joined her, his smile was faint, tired.
"I talked to the dean," he said. "They're going to 'review' it."
"Review?" she echoed. "That could take weeks!"
He shrugged. "I'll handle it."
But Liora couldn't stay silent anymore. "You shouldn't have to handle it alone."
He looked at her, eyes warm despite the exhaustion. "You standing beside me is enough."
Her chest tightened painfully. How could someone so kind still believe in people after everything?
She reached for his hand under the table, a quiet gesture, but it made something in his expression soften.
And somewhere behind them, under the shade of the courtyard tree, Adrian watched.
He had planned this move carefully, every rumor, every forged document—a perfect way to crush Ethan without lifting a finger. But now, seeing Liora's hand in his, the victory felt hollow.
He didn't understand why anger burned in his chest, sharp and uncontrollable. He told himself it was power—reminding her who she should fear.
But it didn't feel like power. It felt like chaos.
He tore his gaze away, jaw tight. "If she won't stay in her place…" he muttered to himself, "I'll make her."