Noah's gaze finally drifted toward the boy, sharp and cold, the scorn in his eyes so intense it was almost tangible.
The boy clicked his tongue, a sharp, provocative sound meant to challenge, meant to test Noah.
He smirked, leaning slightly forward as if he had the upper hand.
"What's with that look…" he said, his voice carrying arrogance, pride, and a hint of menace. "…still haven't learned your place even after getting suspended at the academy?"
Amelia froze. Her eyes widened instantly at the words, her gaze flicking nervously from the boy to her brother.
For a moment, she couldn't breathe properly, caught between relief that Noah was here and panic at what the boy had just revealed aloud.
She could see the tightness around Noah's eyes, the slight flare of his nostrils as his jaw clenched in visible frustration.
'This isn't how I planned for her to find out…' Noah thought.
