Author's Preface
A person comes running from afar, breathless, heading straight toward Raven
“U-h… u-h… uh… RAVEN!!!”
Raven turns slowly, clearly annoyed. “Why are you shouting, Tim?
Tim, who was practically Raven’s shadow and acted like his personal bodyguard, bends forward, trying to catch his breath
You… you didn’t hear it yet???
Hear what? Raven asks calmly
Your name… it’s on the noticeboard. You’ve been marked for investigation for bullying students in school
Raven raises an eyebrow, his expression unreadable.
Mmm… interesting, he mutters. Do you know who complained against me??
T-that’s… Lia. It seems she filed it
“Oh” Raven lets out a small chuckle.
I get it
She saw me while I was choking Liam
A cold smirk forms on his lips.
I didn’t expect her to complain
Before Tim can say anything else, a teacher appears at the door and calls Raven inside
At the principal’s office, everyone has already gathered
Lia
Bryan
The school principal
Two teachers
The victim,Liam
And Raven’s father
The room feels far more tense than Lia had expected
That’s when she realizes why
Raven’s father is one of the board members of the school
Her heart sinks
So, Raven’s father begins, his voice firm and authoritative, what happened, and why was a complaint raised against my son, Lia?
Lia freezes for a moment
She is a scholarship student
The last person she wants to go against is a board member. But she also dreams of becoming a lawyer and injustice has never scared her for long.
S-sir steadying her trembling voice, Raven was choking Liam behind the school and threatening him to give his money
Raven’s father’s eyes turn cold as he slowly shifts his gaze toward Raven
Raven, he calls out
Dad… we were just playing, isn’t it, Liam? Raven says sharply.
W-we… w-we were… Liam stutters, nervously glancing at Raven.
Raven’s eyes narrow, silently threatening him.
J-just p-playing, Liam finally says, though the tremble in his voice is impossible to miss
Raven places his hand casually over Liam’s shoulder
See, Father? We were just playing. It may have looked like I was bullying him
He then turns his cold gaze toward Lia
Isn’t that right, Lia?
Before she can speak, Raven’s eyes flick toward Bryan
A silent command
Bryan understands instantly
“N-no!” Lia protests as Bryan quickly covers her mouth and drags her out of the room
He bows his head apologetically before closing the door behind them
What are you doing, Bryan? Lia pushing him away
Stop it, Lia, he snaps, gripping her shoulder tightly
Why?! You clearly saw him choking Liam! You saw how scared he was! Her voice cracks with anger
Bryan sighs heavily We can’t do anything
He’s the only son of a board member and Liam isn’t even complaining against him
That’s because he’s threatening him, Bryan!
So you want to go against them?
Bryan asks
Don’t forget you’re in this school on a scholarship at least think of your parents
Before Lia can respond, the door opens
Raven walks out, his arm casually around Liam’s shoulders a lollipop between his lips
He throws Lia a sarcastic smile and walks away confidently, as if he owns the entire corridor
Lia exhales sharply, frustration boiling inside her
“I hope I don’t see this jerk again…