Her tone was polite-but also distant and cold.
Zayden’s heart twinged for a reason he couldn’t explain.
So Elena could look at him like that now.
So cold. So dismissive.
He had always assumed she would come running back with one word from him. She used to.
But now?
How could someone change so much in just a couple months?
“Elena… No matter what, Sarah is still your sister. Maybe she made some mistakes, but you’re her big sister-you should be more understanding.”
Zayden’s words grated like sandpaper.
Everyone loved to remind her: Sarah is your sister.
As the elder, you should forgive her. Support her. Carry her burdens.
But back then, when Sarah stole her grades, her university acceptance-then went abroad-did she ever thank Elena?
Not once.
And when Elena was suffering in the Holt family, Sarah could’ve helped. All she had to do was try.
But she didn’t.
She looked the other way. Like Elena didn’t exist.
“I’ve already cut ties with the Delaney family,” Elena said icily. “Sarah is not my sister. And our engagement? Consider it void. I, Elena, have nothing to do with you anymore, Zayden.”
She added, her tone firm and emotionless, “This is a school. It’s for studying. Not for your little soap operas. Don’t waste my time with this nonsense again.”
“Did you hear that?” Henry snapped. “Elena already told you-this is a classroom. Take your drama somewhere else. Come back here again and I’ll make sure you regret it.”
He gave Zayden a bold thumbs-up, full of mockery. “Two-timing guys like you give all men a bad name.”
“Elena-” Zayden tried to speak again, but another voice cut through the air.
“You don’t understand human language?”
Nolan had arrived, stepping calmly into the room.
Zayden clenched his fists reflexively.
Sarah glanced at Nolan, then back at Elena.
Rumor had it Nolan came from a family with obscene wealth-and that he never showed interest in girls.
Yet in just a month, Elena had somehow gotten through to him.
Sarah felt a tight squeeze of jealousy.
“Nolan, Zayden was just speaking up for me,” she said quickly. “We’ll go now. Don’t get the wrong idea-we weren’t trying to cause trouble.”
She then gently tugged Zayden by the arm like an obedient child.
She hadn’t forgotten-Nolan had been in juvenile detention for killing someone as a minor. He wasn’t someone to mess with.
Better to back off now than ignite a fire.
Under Sarah’s coaxing, Zayden finally left.
But as he stepped out of Class Six, he couldn’t help turning around-gazing once more at the girl sitting calmly among her classmates, as if he no longer mattered at all.
Zayden had thought Elena would show at least a trace of guilt-but there was nothing. Her face remained calm, detached.
After pushing Zayden away, Sarah quickly ran back to Elena. “Elena, please don’t misunderstand my relationship with Zayden. We grew up together, so we’re naturally a little close. But since you’re engaged to him, I’ll be more careful. I promise, I’ll never try to take anything from you.”
As she spoke, Sarah reached out and affectionately took Elena’s hand-acting like nothing had happened.
But Elena wasn’t stupid.
Since the moment Sarah entered the room, she had been sneaking glances at Nolan.
Of course. Now that she’d seen how close Nolan and Elena were, Sarah had set her sights on him instead.
And why not?
In terms of family background, Nolan was leagues above the rest. Even Zayden’s family couldn’t compare.
In terms of looks, Nolan stood at 6’2″, with sharp, striking features-colder, darker, and even more attractive than Zayden.
If it weren’t for his time in juvie and his association with Class Six, he’d easily be the most sought-after guy in school.
Academically, Nolan was first in the entire grade-without exception.
If he hadn’t once killed someone, Nolan would be the school’s undisputed heartthrob.
So Sarah mistaking Nolan’s aloofness for interest wasn’t surprising.
“Are you done?” Elena’s sudden question cut Sarah off mid-performance.
“I… what?” Sarah blinked.
“If you are, then head back to Class One. Don’t disturb my studying.”
Sarah gritted her teeth behind her forced smile.
She had meant to impress Nolan, but Elena had shut her down before she could even start.
Still determined, Sarah turned to Nolan. She reached out her hand with a polite smile. “Nolan, right? Hi, I’m Sarah-Elena’s sister. She’s not great with words, and she often offends people. If she’s said or done anything to upset you, I’d like to apologize on her behalf.”
The entire Class Six fell silent.
Every eye watched in disbelief.
Did this girl actually think she could casually offer a handshake to their Nolan?
The air hung still.
Nolan didn’t even raise his head.
He never once looked at her.
Sarah’s smile froze.
Her hand hovered awkwardly in the air, unanswered.
“It’s fine if you don’t want to shake hands,” she mumbled. “I’m just glad to meet you. Since you’re my sister’s friend, maybe we can be friends too-“
“I don’t make friends.”
Nolan’s voice was cold enough to freeze the air.
Sarah’s smile cracked.
Then Nolan added flatly, “Henry, show her out.”
“With pleasure.” Henry stepped forward and made an exaggerated “this way, please” gesture. “Please be careful on your way out. Nolan doesn’t like people touching his things. Don’t brush against his desk-he says it’s filthy.”
“You-!”
Sarah’s face twisted in humiliation.
Elena, still seated, chuckled aloud.
Seeing everyone around her silently judging,
Sarah stomped her foot and stormed out of Class Six.
…
“Nolan, you really are blessed,” Henry teased, nudging Nolan’s arm. “Even the school beauty is throwing herself at you.”
“Keep it. I’m not interested,” Nolan said without looking up.
Henry quickly held up his hands. “No thanks. Give it back to Zayden where it came from.”
The whole school had once believed Sarah and Zayden were dating. Who would’ve thought Elena was the one actually engaged to him?
Henry leaned toward Elena and whispered, “So when are you ending the engagement? Are you really okay staying tied to Zayden?”
“Today,” Elena said calmly.
“How?”
“Officially.”
She wasn’t the Delaney family’s daughter anymore. She’d cut ties completely.
To the Holt family, she had no more value.
Breaking off the engagement now would be simple-and Grace likely wouldn’t object.
…
That evening, after school, Elena went straight to the Holt household.
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