Chapter 22: Whispers and Suspicions

The next morning, the atmosphere at university was different. Skylar could feel it the moment she stepped onto campus.

Whispers. Stares. A shift in the air that hadn't been there before.

She walked through the courtyard, ignoring the curious glances thrown her way. News traveled fast in their social circles, and last night's incident at the Kingsley gala had clearly made waves.

Damian humiliated. Ethan Blackwood untouched. The Hales reconsidering their alliances.

And somewhere in the middle of it all—Chris.

She hadn't spoken to him since last night. Hadn't even seen him leave after the confrontation with Damian. But now, as she entered the lecture hall, her eyes immediately found him.

Sitting in his usual spot—third row from the back, by the window. Dressed in his regular hoodie and jeans, back to looking like the same unassuming student he had always been.

As if last night had never happened.

Skylar hesitated before making her way toward him, sliding into the empty seat beside him.

Chris didn't look at her. He kept his gaze on his notebook, casually twirling his pen between his fingers.

For a moment, she debated how to even bring it up. But the words left her mouth before she could stop them.

"You were at the party."

Chris finally turned to her, his expression unreadable. "Yeah. You already knew that."

Skylar exhaled, frustrated. "You said you were working the event. But you didn't act like a worker, Chris. You acted like… like you belonged there."

Chris tilted his head slightly, amused. "And what does 'belonging' look like, exactly?"

She hesitated. Because that was the problem, wasn't it? Chris blended in too easily. He wasn't just another student struggling to make ends meet. He didn't carry the uncertainty or nervousness of someone out of place.

"You didn't flinch when Damian tried to assert himself," she pointed out. "You weren't intimidated, not even when Ethan stepped in. Who reacts like that?"

Chris leaned back in his seat, a small smirk tugging at his lips. "Maybe I just don't scare easily."

Skylar narrowed her eyes. "You're hiding something."

Silence stretched between them.

Then, Chris chuckled under his breath, shaking his head. "You've got a wild imagination, Skylar."

Before she could press further, the professor entered the room, signaling the start of class. But Skylar barely heard a word of the lecture.

She wasn't imagining things.

And she wasn't going to

stop until she figured out who Chris really was.