Victor clenched his teeth and slowly bent his knees, about to kneel before Bonnie. This action jolted Bonnie from her daze. "What is going on?" she thought. She quickly stepped back. "If he has to kneel," she mused, "it shouldn't be to me. I'm afraid it might jinx my luck!"

"Hey, Victor," Bonnie said, "what kind of act are you putting on? Do you really think I'm that naive? Do you think I can't see you're doing this in front of everyone to pressure me into forgiving Winona? Stop with the moral pressure; I'm not buying it. If you sincerely want to apologize, talk to me privately, not stage it publicly." Her slightly sardonic smile left Victor utterly embarrassed.

He had assumed Bonnie, a seemingly simple girl, would forgive the Carter family if he played the pitiful role. He believed the public spectacle would force her compliance, preserving her reputation. Instead, she openly exposed his true intentions.

Half-bent, Victor had no choice but to rise, maintaining the charade, gritting his teeth, and continuing. "Bonnie, you've misunderstood. I didn't mean it that way. I thought a formal apology would make it easier for you to accept. I have no ulterior motives."

Bonnie straightened, letting out a cold snort. She wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed, but she wasn't stupid either. Victor's clearly trying to guilt me, she thought, but no way. Maybe I would have given in before, but not now.

Since befriending Yve, she’d learned a valuable lesson: don't let others' opinions dictate your life; it's exhausting. Victor's tactics wouldn't work on her anymore.

"Let me tell you something, Victor," she said. "I know right from wrong. Winona acted yesterday, and I've already slapped her twice to settle it. What does your family have to do with it? It's ridiculous. If you're having trouble thinking straight, maybe you should visit a mental clinic." The final sentence was delivered with utmost sincerity. He comes here like a lunatic, apologizing and asking for my forgiveness. It makes no sense. He must be unwell, she thought.

Victor, momentarily speechless, felt a wave of relief. He noted Bonnie's unfriendly expression. He hadn't expected her secretive nature or her connections with the Mitchell family in Betrico; she'd been hiding in plain sight.

"So, Bonnie," Victor said, "does this mean you've forgiven me? If so, please tell your fiancé's sister to back off and stop targeting the Carter family. We've realized we were wrong."

The crowd erupted; mostly physics department students. Some of Bonnie's friends shouted, "Bonnie, you didn't mention having a fiancé! That's not cool!" "Yeah, Bonnie, who is he? Does he go to our school?" "No way, Bonnie! Are you taken? That's fast!" "Bonnie, when's the wedding? You can't secretly get married without telling us!"

Bonnie's face flushed crimson with embarrassment as the teasing intensified. What a mess! Where did this fiancé come from? Victor must be trying to ruin my reputation, she thought.

She marched up and kicked Victor. "Hey, you jerk! Where did this fiancé come from? Are you out of your mind? If something's wrong with you, see a doctor and stop slandering me!"

Bonnie's furious reaction made Victor doubt himself. It must be true, or she wouldn't be this angry. But why did Samantha say Bonnie is her sister-in-law? he wondered.

Meanwhile, on the same floor, Andrew was on the phone with Samantha. "Got it, Samantha. Don't worry, I'm serious this time. You know how stubborn Arnold is—if I mess with Bonnie, he'd kill me."

Samantha, reviewing paperwork in her office, listened to Andrew's earnest assurances. She sighed helplessly. My younger brother is always so playful. For years, he's drifted aimlessly, refusing to join the army, infuriating Arnold. If Andrew hadn't followed Mr. Chavez, Dad would have already brought him back from Seacrity, she thought.

Signing the documents, she said, "Alright, as long as you're certain. I thought it was serious when you called yesterday about the Carter family. Is it settled? Do you need me to intervene? Remember, I taught you to deal with enemies decisively; otherwise, they'll return. Do you understand?"

Andrew cleaned his ear. My sister Samantha, the Rose of Betrico, is formidable. No one messes with us. Without her determination, the Mitchell family wouldn't be where it is, he thought. "Samantha, don't worry. The Carters aren't worth your attention. I have to go. Talk later. Bye, my dear, beautiful, endlessly charming fairy sister!"

Samantha laughed. "Okay, I bought the riding arena you wanted. We'll transfer it to your name when you're back."

Cheerful after the call, Andrew sought out Bonnie to share his good mood. Does she like horses? That clumsy girl might not, but I can teach her, he thought.

Reaching the physics classroom, he saw a large crowd. He didn't notice anything amiss until he saw Bonnie kicking Victor. Their eyes met. Bonnie's face was red with anger. Thinking she was being bullied, Andrew quickly approached.

With a chill in his voice, he quietly asked, "What's wrong? Did he upset you?"

Startled, Bonnie glanced at Andrew, pointed at Victor, and said, "It's nothing. This crazy guy insisted I forgive Winona and the Carters. The most absurd part is he says I have a fiancé! How could a young lady like me have a fiancé?"

The cheering crowd fell silent. Andrew, scratching his nose, realized he was the source of the problem. He gently tugged Bonnie's sleeve. "Don't be mad. It's not a big deal. Having a fiancé means you're not single anymore. Isn't that good?"

Bonnie stared at him. "How would you feel if you suddenly got a fiancée out of nowhere?"

Andrew murmured, "If it were you, I wouldn't mind." Only he heard it.