And now, it seems like there’s only one explanation left...

"What... what did you just say?"

Ryan instantly felt cold sweat trickling down his neck, his voice trembling slightly.

He had heard Clara's words clearly, which is why he was so shocked.

Especially when he saw the dark, clouded look in her eyes—this was the first time Ryan had felt fear from someone other than Miss Alice.

Under her gaze, it was as if an invisible hand was dragging him into a deep, dry well. Even breathing became difficult.

"You heard me."

Clara didn't pay much attention to Ryan, calmly watching his reaction.

From the way he unconsciously tugged at his collar to the nervous bobbing of his Adam's apple, it was clear that, despite being older than her, Ryan was an open book—far too easy to read.

"I wasn't entirely sure before, but now that you're here, I'm pretty certain."

Clara didn't seem to care about Ryan's reaction. She wasn't saying these things for him, but for herself.