HEIRESS REBORN: MARRYING HER EX-FIANCÉ-Chapter 44: Highschool graduation (2)

’’Don’t you think so, Principal Kai?"

Before Ayana’s arrival, Arabella was accompanied by the principal outside the office.

’’Haha...’’ Principal Kai gave a nervous chuckle in response, his eyes darting between the two young misses of the Kingston family.

The tension between them was unmistakable, an undercurrent that he desperately wished would vanish, preferably far from his office.

Who wasn’t aware of the estrangement between the Young president of Kingston Corporation and the family of the Eldest Master Kingston? To have both of them here, face to face, was enough to make anyone uneasy.

’Please just take your feud somewhere else!’ Principal Kai pleaded silently, his mind racing for any escape from this uncomfortable situation.

As he brought out a handkerchief, dabbing at the glistening sweat that had collected on his forehead, Principal Kai mentally cursed the heavy graduation robe and cap on himself.

If it weren’t for the two formidable young ladies standing in front of him, he would have already taken off the ceremonial garb in an attempt to get some relief from the heat, both from the weather and this confrontation.

’’....This can only be called a coincidence, cousin.’’ Ayana gave a small smile, despite the annoyance bubbling within her.

The fact that her suit was the same color as Arabella’s gown could only be called a coincidence.

’’Principal Kai, you requested for my presence after the graduation ceremony.’’ Not giving her a chance to reply, Ayana dragged in the principal into their conversation, mostly as an excuse to end this unexpected confrontation.

Being near the presence of her relatives always seemed to test the waters of her emotion control.

’’A-Ah Yes, President Kingston.’’ Principal Kai gave another nervous chuckle. In his mind, he hoped that the other young miss of the Kingston wouldn’t hold a grudge against him.

Unlike her, Ayana was the President of the Kingston corporation. Naturally, she held more power than a famous actress. She was also the best graduating student, that he sometimes wondered how she achieved such results with the workload of her family business.

As an academician with experience at heart, Principal Kai held more respect for this young president and could imagine a great future ahead for her.

’’I understand, sister. ’’ Arabella’s smile did not falter as she spoke with a tone of understanding. ’’I just wanted greet Principal Kai as an alumnus. After all, it’s good to keep in touch with those who help shape our futures, don’t you think?" 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

Arabella did not wait for her to speak before looking over her shoulder. ’’Don’t you think the same way, Brother Liam?’’

Liam?

Ayana’s expression froze for a fleeting moment, the name catching her off guard.

What was he doing here?

She would have wondered to herself, but just as her actions differed from the past life, the future of this life would change as a result.

Ayana composed herself without further reaction. Her features settled back into their usual calm, as she couldn’t ignore the heat of his presence...his disgusting presence directly behind her.

’’You speak correctly, younger sister,’’ came his voice from behind, warm and gentle like the first breeze of spring. The same tone that had once lulled her into a false sense of trust—a tone she now found cloying and suffocating.

’He even smells the same as before.’ Ayana’s nose almost twitched at the familiar smell from her past life. The refreshing scent of mint and amber—a scent that once made her feel secure but now only reminded her of betrayal.

’You must be enjoying the Kingston family’s money once again, Liam.’ She scorned in her heart.

Just like in her past life, Liam only started to smell this way when he was in contact with a good source of money.

She had been his source of wealth, foolishly chasing after him with the naïve hope that her devotion would earn his affection. In this life, however, things were different. Her relatives had now replaced her as his source, and also his adoptive parents.

That’s right.

Her relatives had decided to take in Liam as their adopted son when his true parents and blood-related parents were perfectly alive and healthy.

This was also the reason why Liam could become an alumnus of their highschool. It was through her, in her past life, but now it was through her uncle and his family in this life.

’’It’s a pleasure to meet once again, cousin.’’

’’It’s President Kingston to you, Mr. Smith.’’ Ayana’s face remained a mask of indifference as she responded coolly, without stepping aside or turning around to meet him.

However, only she knew that she forced herself to be calm when correcting those words that revolted the entire cells in her body.

Cousin?

How dare he! She inwardly snorted in anger.

Just because he had found a way to join her family in this life did not mean that he could refer her with disgusting familiarity.

’’My family is waiting for me, Principal Kai. It’s best if we hurry.’’ Ayana looked over to the principal, who had been trying his best to remain unnoticed in the background. His attempt to shrink into the non-existent shadows was almost comical, but she chose not to acknowledge it.

"I think we’ll be leaving then, sister." Before Principal Kai could respond, Arabella interjected with a smile. ’’ We’ll speak some other time. Congratulations on graduating once more and please do attend my upcoming birthday banquet, sister!’’ With a final dazzling smile, Arabella moved past Ayana.

’’We should leave, Brother Liam.’’ She glanced at the quiet man and strutted down the hallway with her heels clicking against the polished floor.

Liam remained motionless for a moment, his gaze fixed down on Ayana, who had yet to turn around and meet his gaze.

’’Congratulations.’’ was his parting word as he left and caught up with Arabella.

The two walked in silence until they turned to another hallway where few staffs and graduating students passed by.

Arabella met some stares with greeting smiles before flicking her eyes over to the handsome Liam by her side.

’’Sister still hates us, doesn’t she?’’

’’...Perhaps.’’ He replied softly, keeping his gaze ahead.

’’Perhaps?’’ Arabella nearly laughed at his vague response as an amused glint flickered in her eyes. "You still like her, don’t you?"

’’.....’’

’’Don’t worry, brother.’’ She chuckled softly. ’’I will make sure that your wish to have her comes true at my birthday banquet.’’

’His silence is the same as admitting his affection for that orphan...’ Arabella sneered in her heart.

The two paused briefly at another intersection, letting a group of people in suits walked past them. Arabella then took the opportunity, leaned in and whispered into Liam’s ear.

’’That is, if she’ll take you after what we have done, brother.’’ She leaned back with a smirk, after her words, and watched Liam closely.

’’.....’’ Unfortunately for her amusement, his expression remained unreadable.

’How boring...’ Arabella turned her gaze away, having less interest in talking to someone who did not give her attention.

She was about to take a step forward until a figure brushed past them. Arabella froze at once, her eyes widening slightly as she snapped them to the right towards the man who had walked by behind the group.

There was something about him instantly drew her attention....something that seemed very familiar to her.

A faint memory of a boy suddenly resurfaced in her mind, his face overlapping with the side view of the man who had just passed.

’’Axel?’’ she whispered under her breath, her voice barely audible.

Only that name slipped from her lips almost instinctively, as her heart raced in unsure recognition.