Aria's father arrived at the school within thirty minutes.
His black car pulled up silently at the gate, the kind that made everyone step back just by the sound of its engine.
The guards moved aside without a word.
He walked in wearing a dark suit, his expression unreadable, his presence heavier than thunderclouds.
Every student in the hall went silent.
Principal Morgan rushed to greet him nervously.
"Mr. Hayes—sir, I—"
"Where's Jackson?" he interrupted, his voice low and calm but carrying a chill that silenced the entire corridor.
The principal swallowed hard. "I… I believe he's still inside the classroom, sir."
"Good," Mr. Hayes said simply. "I'll handle this personally."
He didn't shout. He didn't raise a hand. But everyone felt the danger in his quiet tone.
Aria stood at the entrance, her eyes red from crying.
"Dad…" she whispered, trembling. "He—Jackson—he did this to Ethan. He and Mia. They poisoned him."
Her father turned to her slowly, his jaw tightening. "Did you see it happen?"
"I didn't… but I know it was them. He's in the hospital right now, and—"
He put his hand on her shoulder gently, steadying her shaking form. "It's okay, sweetheart. Go wait in the car."
Aria hesitated. "Dad—"
"Now."
She obeyed. She'd never seen that look in his eyes before — cold, calm, and deadly serious.
Mr. Hayes entered the classroom.
Jackson was sitting at the back, pretending to scroll through his phone. His friends whispered nervously.
When he looked up, his smirk disappeared.
"Sir…" he began, forcing a grin. "I didn't know you were coming—"
"Get up," Mr. Hayes said.
Jackson froze.
"I said get up."
He stood, voice trembling. "I-It wasn't me, sir. I don't know what Aria told you, but—"
"Listen, boy," Mr. Hayes said, stepping closer until his presence felt suffocating. "You laid your hands on someone my daughter loves. You made him suffer for your own pride. You thought it was a game."
Jackson swallowed, trying to speak, but words failed him.
"I don't raise my daughter to beg," Mr. Hayes continued. "But she came to me crying because of you. That tells me everything I need to know."
He leaned closer, his voice a whisper that carried more weight than any shout.
"If Ethan doesn't make it… I will make sure every door, every opportunity, every future you think you have—disappears. And you'll spend the rest of your life wishing you'd never met my daughter."
The room was silent.
Even Jackson's friends couldn't breathe.
Mr. Hayes straightened, adjusting his tie. "Now, go to the hospital. You're going to stand there and watch what your jealousy did. And if you think of running…" — his eyes met Jackson's — "I'll find you."
Jackson nodded quickly, pale and shaking. "Y-Yes, sir."
Mr. Hayes turned and walked out, his calm steps echoing through the hall.
The crowd parted for him like the sea, no one daring to move.
Outside, Aria stood by the car, wiping her tears.
Her father opened the door for her, his expression softening.
"It's handled, sweetheart," he said quietly. "Now let's go see Ethan."
She nodded, her voice breaking. "Thank you, Dad…"
He smiled faintly, placing a hand on her head. "I told you… what you love is what I love too."