Chapter 299: The rumours

“Miss Ravencourt and Miss Brown!”

Both girls froze. The lecturer lowered the marker in his hand, “I wasn’t aware that the two of you were so talented at sneaking into class,” he said dryly.

A few students turned around. Someone at the back coughed to hide a laugh. Yuki closed her eyes for a brief second, wishing the floor would open up and swallow her whole

Beside Yuki, Marie straightened immediately. “We’re sorry for interrupting the class, sir,” they apologised together.

The lecturer regarded them for another moment before waving his hand towards their seats. “Just sit down, both of you, and try not to interrupt the lecture any further.”

“Yes, sir,” Yuki replied quickly. She hurried into her seat, Marie following close behind.

Once she had settled down, Yuki discreetly checked the time on her phone: 8:30 AM. She was thirty minutes late for a two-hour class. Wonderful. Absolutely wonderful.

She tucked her phone away and pulled out her notebook, determined to concentrate on the lecture despite having missed the first part. The room gradually settled into silence again.

Pharmacokinetics and compound reactions were already difficult, and this particular lecturer had a reputation for being strict. Nobody dared whisper to their neighbour or sneak a conversation beneath the desk.

Yuki tried her best to keep up. She copied the diagrams and underlined important points, but her body had other plans. She hadn’t slept properly the previous night, thanks to a certain insufferable person who had turned her peaceful evening into a chaotic frenzy.

Every time she closed her eyes for more than a few seconds, her mind dragged her back to the riverbank—Kaden’s audacity, his infuriating remarks, the way he had challenged her, and her own equally ridiculous response. Yuki pressed her pen harder against her notebook.

Why did I say that? What was I thinking?

She had spent almost the entire night judging her own actions until she was utterly exhausted. By the time she had finally managed to settle down, sleep had become frustratingly elusive.

Now she was paying for it. Her eyelids grew heavier with every passing minute. She blinked repeatedly and even pinched her thigh beneath the desk in an attempt to remain awake.

It worked for approximately thirty seconds. By the time the clock struck ten, she was practically fighting a losing battle against sleep.

The lecturer finally set down his marker and faced the class. “That concludes today’s lecture,” he announced. “Make sure you revise everything we’ve covered and prepare adequately for your upcoming examinations.”

A chorus of acknowledgements followed as Yuki packed her things slowly, her head spinning slightly. Around her, several girls were excitedly discussing the next class: combat training—or more specifically, Kaden Ravencourt’s return to it.

“I heard he’s coming back today,” one girl whispered excitedly, clutching her books to her chest. “Do you think he’ll wear one of those fitted military tops again?”

Her friend let out a delighted laugh.

“Obviously! Have you seen his shoulders? I swear, those shirts should come with a warning.”

“Forget his shoulders. Have you seen his chest?” another girl interrupted, fanning herself with her notebook. “That man is unfairly handsome.”

Yuki rolled her eyes as she gathered her belongings. Of course they’re talking about Kaden.

She was sorting her notes when Marie turned towards her. “Are you feeling all right?” Marie asked, studying her face with mild concern. “You look exhausted. Did you sleep properly last night?”

Yuki froze for half a second, her fingers stopping over the papers. Then she quickly shoved her notebook into her bag and swung the strap over her shoulder.

“I’m fine,” she replied, keeping her voice casual. “I was just studying late.”

A big lie. A truly terrible lie.

Marie glanced at her for another moment, but she didn’t press the matter.

“All right. Let me know if you need to borrow my notes later,” she said, gathering her own things. “Let’s go—we don’t want to be late for combat training too.”

“Definitely not,” Yuki agreed, already moving towards the door.

*********

The combat training gym was packed by the time Yuki and Marie arrived. Students from different years and faculties had gathered inside, their voices mingling with the sounds of trainers squeaking against the polished floor.

Yet the majority of the girls seemed far more interested in someone other than the combat instructors. First, Kaden Ravencourt’s return to class had apparently become an event in its own right. Second, a fresh rumour had hit the room: Xavier Velmore, the campus heartthrob, was getting engaged—and nobody seemed to know who the lucky woman was.

As Yuki followed Marie towards the gym’s main floor, she caught fragments of the conversation taking place around them. “Wait, are you serious?” a girl exclaimed, clutching her friend’s arm. “Xavier is getting engaged?”

“That’s what I heard!” her friend replied, eyes wide. “My cousin’s roommate said the news came from someone close to the Velmore family.”

“Who is she?” another voice demanded.

“How should I know? That’s what everyone’s trying to figure out!”

A third girl shook her head, her brows furrowing in disbelief.

“That’s impossible. Xavier has never dated anyone on campus. I’ve been here for two years, and I’ve never even seen him holding hands with a girl.”

“Maybe it’s an arranged engagement,” another girl suggested, lowering her voice conspiratorially. “You know how these powerful families operate. He’s the Gamma’s son, after all.”

The conversation quickly shifted towards the two men who seemed to occupy a permanent place in the girls’ discussions.

“All right, serious question,” someone announced. “Who do you think is hotter, Kaden or Xavier?” Yuki’s ears perked up subconsciously. To her, she wouldn’t compare the 2. They had different vibes; while Xavier had this sunny, comforting vibe, Kaden’s beauty was edgy and intoxicating.

The girls immediately began arguing. “Xavier, obviously! Have you seen his smile?”

“Kaden!” another cut in refusing to back down.

The earlier girl a Xavier die hard fam shook her head, “Xavier has the face, the charm, and the personality.”

“Kaden has the face, the body, and the mysterious attitude!” another insisted.