Eric's face still held a trace of lingering shock. When he looked up, he saw Grace walking towards his direction.

  He quickly pulled his arm free from Clara's grasp. This subconscious action made Clara instantly pout, her face showing discontent as she looked up at him.

  Seeing Eric's gaze flicker, unable to conceal his excitement as he looked ahead, Clara's eyes followed his, landing immediately on the fair and beautiful Grace.

  Her pretty face soured, alarms instantly blaring in her mind.

  Grace also noticed Eric at this moment, and Clara beside him.

  The moment she saw Clara, Grace felt a bone-chilling numbness spread from the soles of her feet upwards, as if countless ants were crawling over her insteps, the backs of her hands, her back, finally exploding into TV static inside her skull.

  Grace's pupils trembled slightly. The inside of her forearm subconsciously began to feel hot, itchy, and faintly painful.

  It was a lingering effect from the burn inflicted by the curling iron.

  Clara, long time no see. You've finally arrived.

  Just as those painful memories were about to surge forth, Grace inconspicuously touched her right arm. The smooth texture instantly brought her back to reality and restored her rationality.

  She walked straight towards the cafeteria entrance, ignoring the eagerly expectant Eric.

  Eric was momentarily stunned, then quickly chased after her.

  "Brother Eric!"

  Seeing this, Clara stamped her foot in anger and hurriedly followed.

  "Grace! Grace!"

  Eric's long legs covered the distance in a few quick strides, rushing ahead of Grace to block her path.

  Before Grace could speak to send him away, he preempted her: "Grace, I'm sorry, I was too impulsive yesterday. I apologize."

  "Brother Eric, who is she?" Clara arrived nearby, looking at Grace with a vigilant expression.

  Eric couldn't be bothered with Clara at the moment. His face full of apology and eyes filled with deep emotion, he looked at Grace and explained urgently: "I was too anxious because you were ignoring me, that's why I said those nasty things. I'm really sorry, Grace. Please don't be angry, okay?"

  "I'm not angry!" Grace said softly.

  Hearing this, Eric's face instantly lit up with joy, his fingers trembling excitedly: "Really? You're not angry with me?"

  As he spoke, he moved to hug Grace, but was stopped by her step backward.

  His arms half-raised, he froze, his large eyes full of confusion.

  And Grace, looking at him expressionlessly, said: "Because anything you say holds no weight with me and doesn't affect me in the slightest."

  This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  "Hey! You're not allowed to talk to Brother Eric like that!" Clara scold at Grace.

  Although she didn't know who this girl was or what had happened between her and Eric, she simply couldn't speak to Brother Eric with that attitude.

  "Clara, don't interrupt!" Eric turned to glare at Clara, scolding: "This is between me and her!"

  Clara jumped at Eric's raised voice. Immediately, her eyes moistened, her thin lips trembled, and she looked like she was about to cry from being overly frightened.

  Brother Eric had never shouted at her so loudly before!

  Looking at Clara, Grace gritted her molars hard, suppressing the surge of hatred in her heart. She deliberately let out a disdainful cold laugh: "You scared your little white rabbit. Better go comfort her."

  With that, she turned to leave. Clara's tears also chose this moment to fall.

  But Eric's reaction was to grab Grace's wrist, explaining anxiously: "Grace, don't misunderstand. She's like a little sister to me."

  Misunderstand?

  Little sister?

  Would a little sister take risks for you, sneak into someone else's dorm to steal a thesis for you, and afterwards damage the computer hard drive, making her lose even the draft?

  Would a little sister have two abortions for you and deliberately send the miscarriage proof to her?

  Would a little sister get jealous over you, corner her in the bathroom, and burn her forearm with a preheated curling iron?

  Every single act of evil Clara committed against her, which one could be done by a mere 'little sister'?

  Grace took a slight, deep breath and forcefully shook off Eric's hand: "No need to explain your relationship to me."

  "Grace..."

  Eric still wanted to persist, but the next second, Leo suddenly appeared, swiftly placing himself between Eric and Grace.

  Grace only felt a shadow fall, blocking the light. Looking up, she saw Leo's broad back.

  His height was almost the same as Eric's, but as a sports science student and the vice-captain of the basketball team, Leo's physical build was clearly several tiers stronger than Eric, the rich second generation.

  "Stop bothering her."

  Leo spoke softly, his voice even and calm, betraying no anger or joy.

  But Eric was furious. He was already fuming from seeing Grace talk to Leo earlier. Now Leo dared to step in and interfere? Eric's eyes widened in rage as he cursed: "Piss off! What the hell does this have to do with you?"

  Jonathan and the other classmates, seeing the situation, rushed up to pull them apart, afraid they might come to blows.

  "Hey now, don't be angry, don't be angry. We're all classmates. Let's talk nicely."

  Several boys forcefully pulled Leo away from between Grace and Eric. Leo initially wanted to struggle free, but couldn't withstand three or four people holding him back.

  "I'm fine, you can go," Grace also said to Leo.

  This matter had nothing to do with Leo. He lived in the same dorm as Eric. If he jumped in like this, Eric would definitely take his anger out on him.

  Hearing Grace speak, Leo relaxed the strength in his body, allowing Jonathan to drag him away.

  Once they were further away, Jonthan said: "Are you crazy? Eric and Grace's breakup isn't even clear yet! Why stick your neck out?"

  "Exactly, even if you really like Grace, now is not the right time. Seeing Eric still pestering her, it's obvious things aren't completely over between them."

  "If a fight really started, Eric's family is rich, he wouldn't care. But you'd get a major demerit?"

  His companions chattered on, but Leo didn't hear a word. He just kept looking back from time to time to check on Grace's situation.

  Seeing Grace turn and walk away without a word, and Eric not chasing after her, he finally felt slightly relieved.

  Eric watched intently as Grace left. Only after she was far away did he lower his head. Although Grace hadn't forgiven him, he didn't plan to give up.

  Turning around, he found Clara nearby, her makeup ruined from crying.

  He sighed silently, softened his voice, and said helplessly: "Clara, I wasn't yelling at you just now. I just really lost control of my emotions. Don't cry."

  Clara sniffled wrongly, demanding in a domineering tone: "Then tell me, who was that girl just now?"

  "She's my girlfriend. We had a fight, there's some misunderstanding," Eric explained.

  Although she had already sensed it, hearing Eric admit with her own ears that the girl was his girlfriend made Clara feel as if her sky had collapsed.

  "Brother Eric! You actually have a girlfriend?" Clara screamed, completely breaking down into loud sobs. "Then what about me? I came to this university for you! Then what am I?"