Chapter 24

As soon as Zamiel stepped out of the car, the entire schoolyard fell into an eerie silence. The students who had expected some spoiled rich heir—one of those cocky, playboy types—were left utterly speechless.

He wasn't smiling. He wasn't scanning the crowd with amusement or arrogance. Instead, he exuded a cold, dangerous aura, one that sent shivers down the spines of those who dared to look at him for too long. His expression was unreadable, his posture relaxed yet commanding, like a predator surveying his territory.

The black-red strands of his hair shifted slightly with the wind, and his piercing gray eyes, sharper than steel, swept over the students without an ounce of interest. It was as if he had already deemed them insignificant.

Some of the girls, who had been eagerly anticipating his arrival, found themselves unable to breathe properly. They had fantasized about meeting a charming, flirtatious prince, but instead, what stood before them was someone who looked as if he had walked straight out of a nightmare—elegant, untouchable, and lethally intimidating.

Even the guys, who were prepared to scoff at him out of jealousy, instinctively swallowed their words. No one dared to speak.

Meanwhile, Mira wasn't paying attention to Zamiel. Instead, she had her gaze locked onto Athasia, eager to see her reaction.

And sure enough—there it was.

Pure, unfiltered irritation.

Athasia's brows twitched, her jaw tightened, and her lips pressed into a thin line. It was subtle, but Mira, who knew her too well, could see it clearly.

She was pissed.

Mira grinned. "You're really annoyed, huh?" she teased in a hushed voice.

Athasia let out a slow exhale, barely masking her irritation. "Tch. What the hell is he doing here?"

Mira chuckled. "Didn't I say it earlier? He's got one goal, and that's you."

Athasia shot her a withering glare. Mira only smirked in return.

Meanwhile, Zamiel, who had yet to make eye contact with Athasia, started walking forward. With every step, the tension in the air thickened, and the students unconsciously moved aside, creating a path for him.

But then—he stopped.

And finally, his gaze found her.

Athasia met his stare head-on, refusing to back down.

Gray met green.

Cold met colder.

For a brief moment, time seemed to freeze.

And Mira, watching from the side, thought to herself—this is going to be fun.