Chapter 3 - RECKLESS LOVE

(when heart defy rules....)

By Authoress Blue Panda💙

⛔DO NOT🙅‍♂️ COPY 📌REPOST 🚫⛔

CHAPTER 3&4

The buzz of the mall restaurant echoed with soft music, clinking glasses, and the rustle of shopping bags. Waiters moved with precision, and behind the counter stood Alaric Slate, dressed in the restaurant's sharp black uniform, sleeves rolled to his elbows, focused as always.

He had no clue his peace was about to be shattered.

outside the restaurant

Zelia stormed out of the Porsche, heels clicking furiously against the marble-tiled driveway, her mood still sour from the earlier crash incident.

Emily and Raya followed behind, half-nervous, half-thrilled.

"I swear, if I see that budget hoodie freak again—" she snapped.

as they walked into the restaurant

*Enter Zelia Millions.*

Click-clack. Click-clack.

She strutted in like she owned the mall itself, sunglasses on, arms full of designer bags, followed by Faye and Emily — her ever-present audience.

"Ugh, I need a seat with sunlight," Zelia announced dramatically. "My skin feeds on luxury."

As they settled into a plush booth, she tossed her bag aside and lazily glanced toward the counter—then froze.

*Alaric.*

Her lips slowly curled into a smirk.

"Well, well, well… look who's pretending to be normal."

Fayegiggled. "Wait… that's him?"

Zelia leaned back, waving her perfectly manicured fingers at him like he was a dog. "

Come here prince nothing, . I'm hungry."

Alaric looked up briefly—expression unreadable—then went right back to entering orders.

Zelia's jaw dropped a little.

"Oh. He thinks ignoring me is an option now."

She snapped her fingers again, louder. "Pauper You work here, don't you? Then serve."

He finally walked over, stone-faced. "What would you like, Miss?"

Zelia feigned thought. "Hmm… I want the flaming shrimp platter. Extra flame. Extra attitude. Like you."

"And for dessert," she added, pulling her platinum card from her purse and tossing it at him, "go across to Velvet Scoop and get me a lavender macadamia cone. Triple scoop. No nuts."

Alaric didn't flinch. He picked up the card, looked at it, then looked back at her.

"I'm a waiter. Not your errand boy."

Zelia blinked. "Excuse me?"

"You want ice cream? Walk those pampered legs of yours across the hall and get it."

He placed the card on the table, calm as ever. "And next time, try using words instead of barking."

He turned to leave.

But Zelia stood so fast, her chair screeched.

She stepped in front of him, arms crossed. "You do not walk away from a Millions."

Alaric blinked once. "Watch me."

Zelia's voice rose, sharp and dramatic:

"If this place doesn't send my server to get my ice cream, I SWEAR I'll shut it down with one call! One! CALL!"

Heads turned. Customers stared. Staff froze.

Alaric's jaw flexed.

He stepped in close, leaned slightly, and said quietly enough for just her to hear:

"You can buy the table, the chair, and even the floor—but you'll never own me"

Her throat caught. That tone. That calm fire.

She wasn't used to that.

And that made it worse.

She huffed, flustered, brushing her hair behind her ear. "You're lucky I'm in heels, fool. I'd chase you into traffic."

"You'd trip halfway through your tantrum."

Their eyes locked.

And everyone watched.

Enemies?

Absolutely.

But something deeper?

Definitely brewing.

---

Outside LuxeBites – Mall Courtyard

The scene inside the restaurant had quieted, but the tension still clung to Zelia's skin like humidity.

Her heels clicked violently as she stormed ahead, face flushed, sunglasses now tossed into her purse. Faye and Emily hurried after her, calling her name.

"Zee!"

"Zelia, wait!"

They caught up to her at the courtyard fountain, where she stood arms-crossed, fuming.

"What the hell was that?" Emily asked. "You almost caused a scene big enough to go viral."

"I did cause a scene," Zelia snapped, chin raised. "He deserved it."

Faye folded her arms. "Girl… you were embarrassed Just admit it."

Zelia whipped around. "Excuse me?"

Emily stepped in gently. "Z, we love you, but that wasn't cool. You don't treat people like that—especially not someone working."

"Oh, so now you're on his side?" Zelia's voice cracked with disbelief.

Faye sighed. "No. We're on the side of reality. You threw a tantrum because a guy didn't bow down to you. That's not cute, babe—it's toxic."

Zelia stared at them, wounded pride swirling in her chest.

"You sound just like everyone else," she whispered. "Jealous. Judgmental."

"Zelia…" Emily tried to calm her.

But she shook her head, eyes blazing.

"You think it's easy being me? Being perfect all the time? Carrying my last name like it's a crown and a curse?"

"Zee, you don't have to pretend to be perfect," Faye said quietly. "Just… be decent."

That did it.

Zelia's expression iced over.

"You two can walk home."

"Z—"

"I said WALK."

She turned and strutted away, arms stiff at her sides, jaw clenched.

Behind her, Faye and Emily stood frozen, their expressions filled with concern—not just for the friendship…

…but for Zelia herself.

Because for the first time, they weren't mad.

They were worried?

★★★★★★

"You look soo pretty Scalia a pose for the camera"

"....hot!!"

"Your next movie when will it be released"

"what plan do you have after the movie

"how was your interview with "starrynews"

"You were sighted with Jasper millions days ago what can you say about that"

"are you two dating isn't this your first dating rumour "

Scalia waved at the sea of reporters as her bouncers lead her out of the news company into her car getting into the car she pulled out her phone calling a number after few minutes the call was picked

"Babe "

she said quickly and Jasper voice came

"How are you Scalia"

he said and Scalia chulked

"You pick up late why?"

she ignore his question

"I went to get somethings for Zel,we had a fight and she got really mad at me"I

he said and her eyes squinted she chulked

"we have a date remember"

she said and he paused for a while

"you can't make it? don't worry take good care of your baby sister we can always have another date"

she smiled

"Thanks for understanding Scalia i will call you later bye"

he ended the call and she stared at her phone and her face fell and she signed

"He couldn't make it again??, should we drive home"

her Manager said and she nodded

"He is not even the one who called but he ended the call just drive home"

she said and the manager smiled secretly before telling the driver to drive

★★★★★★

Zelia parked her car beside the roadside before getting out of the car her expression still iced

only to pause at the cafe across the street.

There, through the glass, she saw a woman in her mid- 40s laughing with her daughter — a girl around Zelia's age. They shared an ice cream, exchanged jokes, and the mother gently wiped cream off her daughter's nose. The girl swatted her hand playfully, eyes glowing.

Zelia stood frozen.

The scene stabbed at something deep inside her. Something she didn't show. Couldn't.

She got into her car, slammed the door, and locked it.

The laughter outside still echoed in her ears.

Without a word, she reached into her designer purse and pulled out her phone. She scrolled to a hidden folder — one she never let anyone see. *"ZELDA MILLIONS."*

Dozens of screenshots, magazine covers, and stolen images filled the screen. Her mother — *Zelda Millions* — the world-famous model and actress. Smiling. Glowing. Effortlessly elegant. In photoshoots, on red carpets, in candid shots with her father when they were young.

: Zelia had never heard that voice. Never touched that face.

She opened a video from her dad's phone — Zelda in an interview, pregnant.

"She'll be my little star," Zelda said with a bright laugh, rubbing her stomach.

"And I'll love her more than life itself."

Zelia's lips trembled.

"Then why did you leave me?"she whispered.

Her perfectly manicured nails clenched the phone tighter as tears filled her glassy eyes, ruining her mascara. She let her head fall back against the seat, staring up at the roof, as silent tears rolled down her cheeks.

She wasn't loud. She didn't scream.

She just cried. Quietly. Fiercely. Like a girl mourning a ghost she never met.

After several minutes, she wiped her tears roughly, reapplied her lip gloss, and whispered to her reflection in the rearview mirror:

"She would've loved me. Right?"

And with that, she put her sunglasses back on, swallowed the lump in her throat, and drove off — mascara streaked, heart aching — but still Zelia Millions.

★★★★

The sound of sleek tires rolling over gravel echoed through the estate. A convoy of luxury vehicles pulled in, and Dominic Millions, Zelia's father, stepped out of his custom-made black Maybach. He removed his sunglasses slowly, eyes narrowing at the scratched luxury concept car parked awkwardly in front of the garage.

The automobile company's testing label was still barely visible on the hood.

he signed before going in

"Zelia!!"

he called

Within seconds,

Zelia strutted down the marble steps, phone in hand, sunglasses pushed to the top of her head, latte in the other hand. She looked completely unbothered, dressed in silk and attitude.

"Oh, Dad. You're back early."

she ran to hug him but he dint hug her back

"Is that the prototype from Titan Motors? The one they sent for our feedback? What the hell happened to it?"

Zelia (shrugged , taking a sip):

"Some peasant's fault. He hit me. Or maybe I hit him. Who knows? That car turned like it had arthritis. It's not my fault their brakes suck."

Dominic shook his head

"Zelia, do you even understand what you've done? This isn't some shopping cart, this is a million-dollar prototype. I vouched for you to test it!"

Zelia (rolling her eyes)

"Then pay them off. You're Dominic Millions, not some broke CEO. Tell them to stop making trash and I'll stop crashing it."

There was a beat of tense silence.

Jasper who just came downstairs with his brothers stepped forward, arms crossed, watching his father carefully.

"She's not entirely wrong. That car looked unstable."

then Damon said to Dominic

Ramon smiling gently

"She's home safe. That's all that matters."

Dominic looked at his sons—three grown men enabling a brat—and then at his daughter, who was now texting again like the world had paused for her convenience.

"You always get away with everything, Zel."

Zelia grinned

"And you always let me. Love you, Daddy."

She blew him a kiss and turned on her heel, strutting back into her room

Dominic exhaled heavily, turning to Jasper.

Dominic signed

"One day she's going to crash into something I can't fix."

Jasper said to him coldly

"Then it'll be the world's fault. Not hers."

And with that, they all walked inside—leaving the wrecked car, the scandal, and the reality behind.

—

The mansion was quieter now. The day's chaos had settled into silence. A glass of scotch sat untouched on the mahogany desk as Dominic Millions stared at a framed photo — Zelda Millions, radiant, alive, and breathtakingly beautiful. Her smile still haunted him.

The lights were dim, a soft jazz record playing in the background as Dominic sat alone in his leather chair, loosening his tie, his expression unreadable.

Dominic said softly, to the photo

"She's you. Every inch of her is you. And I can't fix it."

He reached into the drawer and pulled out a worn letter — Zelda's last handwritten note before her delivery. Folded a hundred times, edges soft from touch. He didn't read it. He didn't have to. He knew every word.

Dominic murmured

"I failed you by letting you go… and now I'm failing her by letting her become everything this world hates. Spoiled. Reckless. Alone."

There was a knock on the door. Ramon entered, holding a mug of coffee instead of wine.

Ramon signed

"You're brooding again, Dad."

"She poured hot coffee on the maid. Crashed a prototype. Humiliated a server. I didn't even blink."

Dominic said without looking up

Ramon sat across from him

"Because you see her pain."

"No. Because I see her mother. And I'm terrified if I discipline her, I'll lose the last piece of Zelda I have."

There was a pause.

Ramon then said quietly

"Zelia's smart. But broken. She wears confidence like a mask. She clings to us, lashes out—because she doesn't know how to grieve someone she never met."

Dominic rubbed his temples.

"I've built empires… but I couldn't build her peace."

Dominic broaded

"Then stop sheltering her and start raising her."

Ramon said firmly

They sat in silence.

On the desk, the screen saver flicked on — a slideshow of family photos. One flashed

Zelda holding baby Zelia, eyes full of love.

Dominic stared at it, eyes wet.

"She deserved a mother."

he said to himself

★★★★★★

---

The sun had begun to dip, casting a burnt-orange hue across the skyline. Alaric's motorcycle roared softly down the quiet private road, winding through iron gates that swung open without a sound.

Ahead stood a mansion — not overly grand, but elegant and sharp. Gothic edges, matte-black walls, vines climbing the stone, Wildflower and Lilies flowers and tall glass windows veiled by thick curtains. It stood like its owner: intimidating, cold, hiding secrets.

He parked in the driveway, pulled off his helmet, and shook out his dark hair.

Not a single sound inside. Just like he liked it.

He stepped through the main doors, greeted by silence and dim light. His housekeeper had left hours ago, as always. He didn't need people hovering.

He loosened the collar of his uniform shirt, walking past his bookshelf-lined hallway, past the grand piano he never played, and into the sunken living room.

He paused

Still wearing the server uniform, he slumped into the leather armchair in his shadow-soaked living room. One elbow on the armrest, head tilted back, eyes closed.

Then...

*Zelia.*

Her voice echoed in his head — loud, bratty, demanding.

"I SWEAR I'll shut this place down!"

"Do you know who I am?!"

He opened his eyes slowly, jaw tightening.

"Pathetic," he muttered.

He hated her type — born with everything and still starved for attention. Spoiled. Loud. Reckless. Untouched by consequence

His voice was colder now, echoing through the empty room.

"Throwing tantrums in public because the world doesn't revolve fast enough for her."

He leaned forward, elbows on his knees, eyes shadowed.

"Someone like her... never learns. Because no one ever makes her."

He tapped his fingers against the armrest once. Twice.

"She needs to be... shattered. Just once. Just enough."

His voice dropped into a whisper:

"Let's see how loud she screams... when no one saves her."

A cruel smirk ghosted his lips. Not playful this time.

Dangerous.

Zelia had no idea who she was messing with.

And Alaric Slate?

He wasn't interested in being anyone's prince.

He was the villain in the shadows — and she had just walked into his story.

★★★★★★★★★next day★★★★★★★★★★

The college courtyard buzzed like a hive of venomous bees. The sun cast sharp shadows, but the heat wasn't just from the sky.

Zayn, the notorious campus bad boy, leaned against a marble pillar, smirking as he towered over Soren who looked like a wilted daisy holding a gift bag and Zelia's caramel drink—now spilled across his sneakers.

"She's not your type, Zayn. Back off you made me spilled her coffee."

"You're right. She's not my type… she's rude and spoilt but I'll make her mine Which is why I'm bored with your dumb sef."

Behind him, Sana stood frozen with her books clutched to her chest, cheeks flushed. Zayn had flirted with her this morning, then forgot she existed.

she's Sana Flakes she is a scholarship quiet girl who is a victim of bully

she is senselessly crushing on the college bad boy Zayn Lester

On a bench nearby,

the two queens of chaos, Gina and Valerie, watched with smirks, throwing judgmental comments loud enough to sting.

"Zayn bullying his competition again. So predictable."

Gina shook her head

Valerie (flicking her gloss)

"Poor Soren. Imagine being Zelia's handbag o really dont get what they see in that spoilt brat witch."

Valarie rolled her eyes and Gina crossed her arm

"You can say that again that Witch,well dont be jealous at least we have what she never have ,we have mothers"

Gina smirked maliciously and Valarie grinned

"Yeap i forget she's motherless"

they laughed as their eyes returned to the sceen

(The Campus Library )

The buzzing chatter of students echoed softly in the grand, open library hall. Sunlight filtered through the stained-glass windows, casting hues of gold and blue across the polished floors. Students whispered, studied, flirted. But today, the air felt different.

Whispers about "the new Mathematics lecturer" had spread like wildfire—no one had seen him yet, but the rumors were already swirling.

At one of the circular tables near the tall windows, Emily, Faye, and a few other girls sat with iced lattes, notes scattered around them… but studying was clearly the last thing on their minds.

"Have you heard? They say the new lecturer is young, tall, and painfully hot."

Faye flipped her hair

"Painfully hot? Girl, you sound like a Wattpad character."

Emily snorted

*

"No, for real! My cousin's in admin. She said he walked in wearing all black and barely spoke. Gave mysterious 'don't-talk-to-me' vibes."

a girl chimmed in

"Ugh, mysterious and hot? That's so unfair. Professors are supposed to be bald and boring."

Faye grinned

and they laughed

"What's his name again?"

"Alaric. Alaric Slate."

the girl said

"Even his name sounds like it came with a warning label."

Faye fanned herself dramatically

"Let's hope Zelia doesn't catch wind of this. She'll either flirt or fight him."

"I miss her already she won't even pick our calls"

Emily said and they signed

Just then, someone gasped near the entrance.

Whispers spread like lightning.

Heads turned.

girls ogling and screaming out their lung

"I see them almost everyday i can never get tired of their faces"

Faye placed her chin on her open hand as she stared out the window to admired the demi god who just came in the campus Princes

★THE COURTYARD ★

The late morning sun was kind, casting a soft glow over the grand courtyard of MILLIONS University—a prestigious private college known for its elite status, beautiful architecture, and students with either wealth, beauty, brains… or all three.

But today, something shifted.

Something iconic.

Something… *royal*.

A hush spread through the campus as a matte-black Lamborghini, a sleek silver Porsche, and a midnight-blue Aston Martin pulled into the front lot in perfect synchronization.

Gasps. Whispers. Phone cameras out.

"They're here."

"Oh my God, the Princes."

"That's Ren, right? He's the one in black."

The doors opened one after another.

First out:

Ren Nakamura* – the leader. Cold, elegant, and dangerously obsessed with one person—*Zelia Millions. He wore a charcoal grey turtleneck under a black trench coat, hair slicked back, a silver ring on his gloved finger. His eyes scanned the crowd with disinterest… until he heard her name whispered.

He smirked.

Second: AdrikVolkov – Russian-born, silver-tongued, with a smile that could start wars. He wore a fitted white shirt with rolled sleeves and black suspenders. But under that pretty face was a schemer. He glanced toward the loner Ray across the lawn.

"Let's see how long you can hold your throne, silent king," he muttered under his breath.

Third:

LeoMoretti – the playboy of the trio. Piercings. Tattoos. Leather jacket. Eyes like trouble. He winked at every girl staring—blew a kiss to one, winked at another.

They walked side by side through the courtyard. Like royalty.

Sana, the shy scholarship girl, dropped her books at the sight and fumbled to pick them up, eyes wide.

Faye whispered to Emily, "They're hot, rich, and terrifying. It's so unfair."

Ren stopped walking for a moment, pulling out his phone.

A new post on social media.

@Zel-Millions posted: "New shoes. Daddy bought me five pairs. Life's hard 😘💅"*

His jaw clenched.

"Someone's online."

Adrik smirked

"She should be mine. She just doesn't know it yet."

Ren smiled

And with that, they walked through the college doors, silence and awe trailing in their wake.

The College Princes had arrived.

And chaos was never far behind them.

their eyes moved to Zayn and Soren who are still on each other neck

"Fighting over what's mine silly"

Ren scoffed and Gina and Valerie ran to them

"Re...."

"Your smell cheap change your perfume"

Ren held his nose as he spit those word out and blood drained from their face as student laughed at them and Ren glared at them before they walked away and Gina was the first to stormed out

"Why are you laughing what's funny"

Valarie yelled at the student and they quickly stopped

they might not be Rich like Zelia but they are part of the top richest in the school

first Zelia the most richest girl in the city

followed by Zade King the school bully and Zelia rival

followed by Soren son of Sarah Blake the famous Judge and Mark Blake a soldier

the fourth richest is Ren Nakamura the son of a political family

then the fifth richest is Faye the daughter of the governor and woman leader

followed by Valarie then Emily

and the Eight richest is Adrik

followed by Leo

then Gina

Zelia is still their queen

Faye and Emily stood tense by the window watching it all unfold, eyes darting, waiting.

Suddenly—

A long, sleek, obsidian-black Rolls-Royce pulled up.

Everyone turned.

Zelia Millions stepped out like a dream dipped in diamonds and disrespect. Her heels clicked against the stone, her sunglasses sliding down just enough to give the entire courtyard a death-glare.

Gasps. Whispers.

Phones out.

👥who please??

👥 Zelia the Millions baby

👥The beauty queen period!!

👥Can i have one of your nails girl!

👥You look soo unreal Zelia

👥 congratulation on 91 million followers

👥Are you finally going into modelling

the last comment made her stop and everyone gasped and she turn to that side

"Who the fuck talked about modelling now"

nobody talked

"You heard her who talked about modelling now,you know how toxic my girl get when someone talk about her late m..."

"Shut the fuck up Ren I'm not talking to you and who's your girl better dont let my brothers hear what you just said only if you want to leave this earth!!

she glare at Ren angrily and her eyes moved to Zayn and Soren

"What. Is. This."

she scoffed

Soren ran toward her with the enthusiasm of a lost puppy. "Zee, I—"aised one hand. He stopped instantly.

Zayn pushed off the pillar, watching her with a predator's grin. "Well, well. If it isn't Her Majesty."

"Did I ask you to speak?"

Zelia glared hatefully her hate for him soo obvious

Dead silence.

"Ooooh."

Valarie chulked

"She's gonna kill him."

Gina shook her head

Zelia walked slowly to Soren took one look at his ruined shoes and the sticky coffee still dripping down the side of his hand.

"You couldn't even protect coffee, Soren?"

Zelia said dryly

Soren face fell

"See, this is why she needs someone with backbone"

Zayn mocked

Zelia turned to him, sharp as a knife

"And you think that's you? You're a walking red flag with an IQ lower than my heels."

Gasps again

and Soren smiled

"I really don't know why you choosed this Soren dummy who wrote you a stupid love letter while i chased you first our family are close and i asked you out in grand styles like 5 times already but you choosed an autistic dummy i know you dont do things for no reason "

Zayn ranted and Zelia glared at him in disgust

"Zelia loves me,you are just mad she rejected you"

Soren managed to say

.Zayn stepped forward amused

"Rejected? Bro, your girl gave me a wink last week at the stadium. Don't flatter yourself."

Zelia immediately stepped in—not to defend Soren but to keep a scene from exploding.

"Both of you shut it. You're embarrassing yourselves. Especially you, Soren."

Zelia snapped

"But… I—"

Soren try to say..

"Poor puppy. Looks like your leash got yanked."

Zayn mocked

"Imagine them fools fighting over my Zelia"

Ren told his friends as he Walked to the scene

"Zel"

he called and they turn to him

"Ren"

Zelia winked

Students were watching now, murmuring and recording.

Zelia, annoyed, grabbed the coffee, handed it to Ren, and turned to Soren

"Go to the class and secure our seat. Now."

Soren obeyed without another word, brushing past Zayn who dramatically fake-gagged at the scent of desperation.

"She deserves a man, not a servant."

Zayn snickered

As Soren disappeared down the hallway, Zayn turned his eyes back on Zelia, licking his lips.

"I'll be waiting when you get tired of boys who worship the ground you spit on."

Zelia rolled her eyes and strutted past him, flipping her hair, lips smirking

"You will soon worship the ground i spit on fool"

she said walking into the hallway

Sana, down below, watched her idol pass and whispered, "She's like a goddess… but mean."

Zelia walked past a few fangirls and flipped her hair.

"Move," she said casually. "Before my perfume chokes your budget lungs."

Ouch.

The girls actually giggled—Zelia insults were collectible.

She strutted toward the school building, and as she passed, her eyes finally drifted backward ward—locking eyes with Ren for a second.

*No reaction.*

Not even a smirk.

She stare at her drink she gave him again and kept walking.

Ren's fingers curled tighter.

She was toying with him.

And he liked it.

—

the class turn rowdy when Zelia stepped in

"She's here."

"Zelia Millions."

"The Queen just arrived."

Platform heels. Black mini skirt. Designer crop top that screamed money. Her glossy hair bounced with every step as she put on her shades with one hand and sipped iced coffee with the other. Her scent—pure lily water

Whispers exploded.

"Look at that walk."

"Did she really wear Chanel to class?"

"She's literally the moment."

She didn't look up—she never looked up. She walked like everyone was below her.

Adrik laughed softly. "You might be obsessed, but she's untouchable, even for you."

Leo muttered, "I'd risk a suspension for five minutes with her." and Ren glared at him

"If it wasnt for her brothers and father we would have been engaged,my parents propose marriage to her father he threatened to ruin us it won't be easy but i can wait "

Zelia looked up and her eyes met with hers ,her prey the second scholarship girl who's her footmat

"Come here commoner"

she smirked and Toria began shivering

Before Toria could bend down—

*SLAM!*

The classroom door flew open.

A tall figure stepped in, wearing a black button-up, sleeves rolled to the forearms, a messenger bag slung over his shoulder like it owed him money.

HIM

The same guy from the crash. The same guy from the ice cream mall disaster.

Zelia's jaw dropped. "You?" she breathed.

Alaric didn't even blink. He set his bag on the desk, glancing briefly at her with sharp, unreadable eyes.

"Take your seat," he said coldly. "This is a classroom, not an episode of Mean Girls."

Gasps rippled.

Zelia's eyes flared. "Excuse me? Do you even know—"

"I know exactly who you are," Alaric cut her off, coolly. "And you're late. Sit down, or walk out."

The silence was deafening.someone just dare to speak that way to Zelia millions

Zelia, fuming, stomped to the back row, slamming into her chair with enough force to shake her iced coffee. Emily and Faye exchanged worried glances as they were just coming in

Toria picked up her notebook slowly, still stunned.

HE turned to the board, scribbling his name.

"I'm Alaric Slate. Your new professor. Mathematics 202."

And just like that… the chaos had a new king.

And Zelia? She was furious. This man had embarrassed her. Three times. In public.

She swore silently:

**He may be the teacher…

but she'd school him in the art of war.**

she is Zelia millions no one mess with her no ONE!!

T.

B

C