Elena shook her head. “I can’t just let this go. You give me one, I lose one-clearly someone took it on purpose. I want to know why.”
At lunchtime, Elena went alone to Class 1’s classroom.
The students in Class 1 looked at her as if she were a traitor, their eyes full of hostility.
“Elena, are you here to see me?”
Sarah came forward and took Elena’s hand.
Several girls nearby immediately chimed in, “Sarah, don’t get too close to her. She’s already severed ties with your family; there’s no reason for you to treat her like your sister.”
“Exactly! She even tried to compete with you at the New Year’s Eve party.”
“She’s just a cheap copycat. Think playing piano makes her special? Just because you do it doesn’t mean she’s any good.”
The girls had never liked Elena to begin with.
Now they took the chance to tear into her.
Sarah said, “Don’t say that about my sister. She’s just thinking about the team’s reputation.”
Sarah wore a look of concern for Elena.
The students around them watched in amusement; some even rolled their eyes at Elena.
Just then, Elena said, “I’m not here to see you. I came to find Zayden.”
Hearing this, the girls sneered even louder.
“You already have Nolan, and you’re still hung up on Zayden? As if he’d care about you!”
“Yeah! You chased him for so long, and he never once looked your way. Give it up! He’s Sarah’s fiance now. They’re getting engaged after graduation-you’re just making a fool of yourself.”
The room buzzed with mocking voices.
But under everyone’s gaze, Zayden stood up and walked over to Elena. “Come on-let’s talk outside.”
As Zayden left with Elena, the room fell silent.
Dead silent. What’s going on? Didn’t Zayden hate Elena the most?
“Sarah, why is Zayden leaving with Elena? Isn’t he your fiance?”
The others couldn’t help but ask Sarah about it. Her expression darkened; she hadn’t expected Zayden to actually leave with Elena.
In the hallway, Zayden walked a few steps behind Elena. Several times, he wanted to ask how she was feeling, but the words never made it out.
Elena stopped in her tracks; turning to face him, she said, “Thank you for the fruit candy.”
Zayden pressed his lips together and didn’t explain. He had thought Elena didn’t know; but clearly, she did.
When she’d woken up, the taste of the fruit candy lingering in her mouth had made it obvious-Zayden had been there.
“And… I’d like to ask you for a favor.”
“Go ahead,” Zayden said, his voice low. “If it’s something you need, I’ll do it.”
“My electronic keyboard is missing; I want you to help me find out who in Class 1 stole it.”
Zayden frowned. “Your keyboard?”
“Yes.”
Elena briefly described the one Henry had given her.
“All right; I’ll help you,” Zayden said.
“Thank you.”
Having said that, Elena turned to leave.
But Zayden suddenly asked, “You already suspect someone, don’t you?”
The hallway went quiet for a moment. Elena countered, “What do you think?”
There was really only one person who would do something like this-Sarah.
“I’ll apologize to you on Sarah’s behalf.”
Watching Elena’s retreating figure, Zayden felt a swirl of emotions. If I hadn’t been so cold to her before, would things be different now?
Elena said nothing; she simply walked away.
When Zayden returned to the classroom, Sarah asked nervously, “Zayden, what did my sister say to you just now?”
Zayden glanced at the curious faces around them; after a moment of silence, he said to Sarah, “Come with me.”
Before Sarah could react, Zayden was already walking out of the classroom.
The other students exchanged puzzled looks; it was clear something wasn’t right.
But since Zayden had already spoken, Sarah had no choice but to follow. Once they were outside the classroom, Zayden asked, “Did you take Elena’s keyboard?”
Realizing he had brought her out just to question her about Elena, Sarah’s eyes filled with tears; her expression grew pitiful. “Zayden, what did my sister say to you? Her keyboard is missing, but why are you suspecting me?”
“Don’t tell me you didn’t do it; I won’t believe you.”
Zayden’s gaze turned cold.
At this school, only Sarah would do such a thing.
“Zayden, I don’t know what you’re thinking, but this has nothing to do with me.” Sarah hung her head. “I know my sister doesn’t like me; she suspects me, but she shouldn’t be speaking badly about me to you. After all, I’m your fiancée now, our parents have already arranged it. How could you trust her and not me?”
Zayden stared at Sarah without saying a word.
His silence made Sarah uneasy.
“Sarah; that keyboard means nothing to you. Elena’s piano skills are nowhere near yours. You didn’t need to do this. Return the keyboard; don’t make me say it again.”
Zayden’s tone made Sarah’s face go pale.
He had always treated her like a younger sister; he’d never spoken harshly to her before.
But now, because of Elena, he was being so stern.
“I brought you out here to give you a chance to make this right. If Elena’s keyboard isn’t back on her desk tomorrow, don’t blame me.”
Zayden was, after all, the class president; when it came to handling things, he was always decisive.
Sarah could tell he wasn’t joking.
If she didn’t return the keyboard, by tomorrow the whole school would know she’d stolen it.
Zayden turned and walked back into the classroom; he wasn’t going to waste another word on her.
He left Sarah standing alone in the hallway.
Sarah bit her lip. The New Year’s Eve gala is just days away. Soon, I’ll have the chance to shine in front of all the important people; my future will be bright, maybe even international. By then, Zayden will be useless to me. One day, I’ll make him regret questioning me like this today.
That afternoon, after gym class, Elena returned to find the keyboard sitting neatly on her desk.
But someone had deliberately damaged it; there were scribbles all over it. Though the keyboard had been returned, it was likely no longer usable.
“Damn it! Who the heck did this? If I find out, I’ll break their legs!” Henry’s face darkened.
The keyboard had been in Elena’s hands for barely two days.
Colton sneered from the side. “Who else? It was definitely Sarah.”
Elena stared at the damaged keyboard on her desk; her eyes darkened. “I’m sorry, Henry; I’ll pay you back for the keyboard.”
“Elena, this isn’t about money; even if someone has to pay, it shouldn’t be you!”
Before Henry could finish, Elena had already walked out of the classroom.
She had thought that at her age, it wasn’t worth it to fight with Sarah over high school nonsense.
But now it seemed some people needed a lesson. If I don’t fight back, do they really think I have no anger?
It was almost time for dismissal.
Sarah was chatting and laughing with a few girls; after saying goodbye to them, once the others had left, her cheerful expression disappeared into one of impatience. Every day pretending to like these fake friends; I’m so sick of it.
Just as Sarah was about to leave the school building, a hand suddenly yanked her into an empty classroom on the first floor.
The sudden attack scared Sarah badly.
“Help!”
Before she could finish shouting, Elena had already stuffed a rag into Sarah’s mouth and tied her hands with a jump rope.
It was dismissal time; the other students were in a hurry to get home, so no one noticed what was happening here.
Elena drew all the curtains shut. Sarah had no idea what Elena wanted to do; terrified, her face turned completely pale.
“You used this craft knife to slash the keyboard Henry gave me, didn’t you?”
Elena’s voice rose; her tone was laced with coldness.
Sarah shook her head frantically.
More Kickass Romance Reads
Dive into irresistible romance stories packed with possessive heroes, forbidden passion, billionaire obsession, mafia intrigue, and heart-stopping twists. One chapter is never enough—your next addiction starts here.