"Mr. Cross, on behalf of our clients and our firm, we offer a formal apology for the manner in which we approached you previously."

Adrian spoke up.

"Oh...?"

Lucian was rightfully surprised, Naomi’s mouth opened slightly, the rest of the students couldn’t believe it either.

Adrian, on the other hand, continued—

"Our decision to confront you publicly within this classroom was inappropriate. It caused unnecessary humiliation, distress, and pressure during an already sensitive situation.

To make it up to you, the families have decided not to pursue further civil or criminal action."

He revealed and the instant he did, whispers exploded.

Adrian didn’t care, he continued what he was saying.

"Additionally, Ryan Cole, Nathan Briggs, Joe Pike, and Luke Moore are prepared to transfer universities if their continued presence causes you discomfort."

The whispers became louder, Elena didn’t stop them either, she herself was too surprised to say anything. Naomi turned to Lucian in absolute surprise.

Just... what did he—no, that woman lawyer do for them to publicly apologise in this manner?

Just who in the hell was she?

As for Lucian—

He did not let his surprise show on his face, he just smiled.

"I appreciate the apology."

He nodded.

"As for Ryan and the others..."

Lucian’s smile widened.

"They are my dear friends. We had a small misunderstanding, it would be tragic if such dear friends of mine left the university because of me.

So no, Mr. Vale, I do not wish to part with them yet."

He answered clearly and for a moment, the entire class froze.

"I... understand."

Adrian swallowed.

Just Lucian’s expression alone was enough for him to know this wasn’t over and as much as he pitied Ryan and the others for being chosen by a devil like him, what he wanted the most right now was to get out of this place.

"Please tell Ryan I look forward to seeing him again when he recovers."

Lucian just smiled and Adrian...

"I will convey your... goodwill."

He nodded, feeling fear he had never felt for some reason.

"Thank you for your time, Mr. Cross."

In the end, Adrian did the only thing his mind could think of and he left as quickly as possible.

The classroom door closed and everyone in the class turned towards Lucian.

"What the hell..."

A boy near the front whispered in disbelief.

Naomi was still looking at him like she had never seen him before.

And Lucian—

"Well, that was better than the last time."

He shrugged.

The students just stared at him, Elena was no different, but since she was the one in charge of this class—

"Mr. Cross, if the legal theatre is finished, may I continue teaching?"

She asked, wanting to return the class to its original rhythm.

"Please, I would hate to fall behind after finally returning to civilisation."

Lucian answered, that made some students, mostly girls, laugh again. Professor Hart’s mouth twitched, but she controlled herself and the lecture began.

But Naomi wasn’t done.

"What was that?"

She asked as she narrowed her eyes.

"I told you, didn’t I?

My lawyer handled it."

"Lucian."

Naomi spoke with a strict look on her face. Lucian looked back at her and—

"That is all I can tell you right now, Naomi."

He spoke as his eyes shined with a meaningful light. Naomi looked at him, then she asked one question, the only thing she cared about.

"You are... okay, right?"

"Never been better."

Lucian smiled and Naomi... even though she knew he was lying, she nodded. Lucian nodded back as he turned his attention back to the lecture.

Just like that, the rest of the day passed, lectures, questions, a few notes, some conversations with the rest of the classmates, it was a day Lucian enjoyed but somewhere in his heart, he could already feel it.

He was... drifting away from this life.

But he did not react to those feelings, he simply attended the classes, joked when he felt like it and enjoyed the attention he was receiving.

After the classes ended, he decided to return home, Naomi still had a few extra classes left, so they needed to part, but before that—

"Lucian."

She called him, Lucian turned towards her and—

"Do not disappear."

"I am standing right here."

Lucian smiled.

"You know what I mean."

For a moment, Lucian paused.

"I do."

Then he nodded.

"Don’t worry, Naomi.

I will not disappear."

At those words, Naomi looked at him, he looked back. For a moment, none of them said anything, then—

"Good."

Naomi nodded, then she turned around and left for her class.

Lucian watched her leave with the same, constant smile that was pasted on his face, behind that smile however, there were overflowing complicated thoughts that he couldn’t show anyone.

When he first returned from the Enclave, he had planned to distance himself from Naomi, just like Vivienne had told him to.

But...

When he saw her, when he looked at her exhausted eyes, he...

He couldn’t do it.

How could he?

This was the woman who had called him more than two hundred times in the last month. There were at least 5 calls every single day. This entire month, when he didn’t answer even one of her calls, she kept calling nonstop.

And these were just calls.

The number of texts she sent was even higher.

687 messages.

Just that alone was enough to tell him how worried she had been, how much she had thought about him, every single day.

And in return for this, in return for every single thing she had done for him—

How could he just... stop interacting with her?

Lucian didn’t have the heart to do that.

I am still too weak, huh...

He smiled weakly as he lowered his head.

In the end, Lucian made up his mind.

He would distance himself from her, but he would do it in a way he wouldn’t hurt her.

And just as he thought about it—

Bzzz

His phone buzzed.

It was an unknown number.

This is Claire —Claire.

Be ready by 8 —Claire.

And the instant he read it, Lucian’s expression changed.

It was time to return to the Enclave.