Chapter 24: Betrayal at the Academy

Chapter 24: Betrayal at the Academy

Elena Rivers' upper lip twitched slightly, but she didn't answer Lydia's question directly. Instead, she asked in a nonchalant tone, "What about you?" She couldn't deny that Lydia Moore's violin skills surpassed those of many students majoring in the subject. In fact, Lydia could be considered one of the top players in all of Sakura Academy. Not joining the music club would be a waste of her talent. Given what Elena knew about her, Lydia, with her passion for music and sociable nature, would hardly pass up such an opportunity.

Though she hated to admit it, there were times when even Elena couldn't help but admire Lydia's strength and courage. Perhaps there was a hint of envy too—after all, not everyone could live with such unwavering conviction and freedom.

"Of course, I want to join," Lydia replied enthusiastically. She had resolved to sign up several times, but the seemingly endless line had always discouraged her. She had never imagined that a club could have such a strong appeal; it was already the third day of recruitment, and the enthusiasm hadn't waned at all.

Lydia had been considering giving up, but seeing Elena's hesitation rekindled her determination. "Why don't we sign up together? I was worried it might be a bit boring to go alone, but if you join too, we can look out for each other," Lydia suggested, trying to encourage Elena. She knew that Elena wanted to join, but something was holding her back—some invisible barrier that she couldn't seem to cross.

"I have no interest in joining the music club…" Elena Rivers took a deep breath, her expression calm and indifferent, as if this were her true feeling. Her voice was soft and composed, giving the impression of genuine disinterest. The tiny fragrant petals that had fallen on the pleats of her white cotton dress gently swayed, making her appear almost unreal—beautiful yet distant, as if hiding a silent sorrow behind her serene exterior.

The sun was mild that afternoon, and purple-blue butterflies with intricate patterns on their wings frequently flitted past the window, as if eager to explore the world one last time. Below, rows of tulips and golden chrysanthemums bloomed in splendid formation.

In the classroom, the female teacher, dressed in a gray and white professional suit, exuded an air of elegance and grace, much like the delicate fragrance of an orchid. She pointed to the illustrations and descriptions on the screen, patiently explaining, "The Concerto in G Major, No. 3, is a true orchestral concerto. No single instrument or group of instruments dominates or overshadows the others…"

After finishing her explanation, she smiled and turned back to the students, only to notice that Elena Rivers, usually so attentive, was gazing out the window, her brow slightly furrowed as if something was troubling her. "Elena Rivers, today's lesson is crucial for your exams. Please make sure you take detailed notes," the teacher reminded her, unable to ignore her long lapse into distraction.

The attention of the other students shifted to Elena, but she calmly pulled herself from her reverie, her pen once again gliding over the smooth, white pages of her notebook, leaving behind neat, delicate blue script.

Was Elena still thinking about the music club? Lydia Moore glanced out the window, catching a glimpse of the white banner hanging at the sign-up area. She silently touched the slender, still leaves of the small green plant beside her, the sea-blue ceramic pot reflecting a cool light that soothed her eyes.

Lydia Moore listened to the soft rustle of the leaves outside the window, feeling a sense of relief wash over her as her gaze brightened. She raised her hand, politely excused herself from the class, and left the room under the curious gazes of her classmates. Her face was lit with a bright smile, her eyelashes clearly defined, her demeanor innocent and pure.

The autumn sky was a deep, clear blue, and the air was crisp and fresh. The sunlight pierced through the clouds like golden threads, crisscrossing the tall sycamore trees, the cobblestone paths, the bustling pedestrians, and the "Fairy Cake Shop" surrounded by its wooden fence, stitching everything together into a beautiful tapestry.

The "Fairy Cake Shop" was as busy as ever, but in recent days, most of the customers were meticulously groomed, lavishly dressed young women. Their expressions were surprisingly uniform—each one mechanically poked at the cakes on their plates with a crystal spoon while keeping their eyes glued to the kitchen door, waiting breathlessly for any sign of movement inside. Lydia's aunt and uncle, though puzzled by the unusual crowd, continued to serve each customer with a warm smile.

In the kitchen, Aaron King watched with cold detachment as Lydia Moore, barely reaching his shoulder, carried a box of eggs to the counter. A faint, satisfied smirk touched his lips. Part-time job? Ridiculous! The amusement in his eyes was palpable. The recent events must have been quite troubling for her. He had promised to make her regret it, and now she was finally behaving, teaching him without causing any more trouble. If she had been this obedient from the start, they could have avoided all the drama and embarrassment.

"Alright, I think everything's ready," Lydia Moore said with a sigh of relief after ensuring all the ingredients were prepared. She turned to Aaron King, her expression sincere, her tone calm and steady. "We can start making the cake in a moment, but before that, I have a gift for you." Under his cold gaze, she walked to the wardrobe and pulled out a handmade paper mask tied with two ribbons. Mustering up her courage, she handed it to him. "Here, this is for you." She quickly lowered her head, unable to meet his eyes, dreading his reaction.

Ever since he started showing up at the cake shop at the start of each shift, standing behind the counter with his arms crossed and watching her with a dangerously intense gaze, Lydia had been on edge. What made matters worse was the swarm of female fans that flocked to the shop every day, all eager to catch a glimpse of him, leaving little room for actual customers who wanted to buy cakes. This had created significant challenges for the shop, and Lydia feared it would negatively impact the business. "So, if you insist on continuing to stand there, could you please wear this next time?" Lydia added, almost pleading.

She knew the only way to maintain the cake shop's normal operations was to cover up his "devastatingly handsome" face, which had become the source of so much trouble. She had racked her brain for a solution, but this was the best she could come up with.

She also realized he was doing this on purpose, and it frustrated her to no end that so many girls were drawn in by his looks, filling up the cake shop just to spend the entire day waiting for him. Lydia had never really expected him to contribute much to the shop when she first asked him to work there—she simply hoped he might find some happiness. But his behavior over the past few days had left her feeling deeply troubled, unsure of how to face her aunt and uncle, who had placed their trust in her.

"And what is this supposed to be? Do you think I'm some kind of clown you can just play around with?" It was clear that Lydia's suggestion had once again sparked Aaron King's anger. He snatched the colorful paper mask from her hand—a crude creation with a painted nose and mouth, leaving only two slits for the eyes—and furiously tossed it aside, glaring down at her with a look of contempt.