Chapter 393

Why would they expel her? That Freya, managing to stir up such a storm with the Department of Education… Eloise almost bolted from the principal’s office. She fumbled for her phone, intending to call Kieran, but then she looked up and saw Kieran standing right in front of her.

“Kieran!”

Eloise quickly grabbed Kieran’s arm, her voice laced with urgency. “They’re going to expel me. You have to help me; I can’t get expelled!” Normally, Kieran would have jumped at the chance to solve her problems without a second thought. But this time, Kieran let go of Eloise’s hand.

Seeing this, Eloise was stunned. Why?

“Ellie, when you make a mistake, you have to face the consequences. You’ve really crossed the line this time.”

Kieran had never imagined that Eloise would team up with others to cheat on the final exams. He also couldn’t believe that Eloise, driven by jealousy, would tear up Freya’s exam paper.

“Do you have any idea how important the final exams are for a student? Especially for a student at Summit University. You tore up Freya’s paper. Did you even consider the consequences?”

Seeing that Eloise remained silent, Kieran continued, “The consequence is that Freya won’t be able to graduate from Summit University. She was already in a tough spot, and now she’ll become the laughingstock of the whole community. Is that what you wanted to see? Ellie, when did you become like this? You’ve changed so much, I hardly recognize you.”

The old Eloise was kind, generous, and although stubborn, she was aloof and cold, never one to harm others for her own gain.

Listening to Kieran’s reprimand, Eloise found herself at a loss for words. In truth, she had always been this way; it was just that Kieran didn’t know. She wasn’t worried about losing Kieran before because his heart belonged to no one else. But now, Freya had earned a spot there. “You only ask me why I’ve changed, but why don’t you ask yourself? You said you’d always be good to me, but then you fell for Freya. You know I’m jealous of her… But why don’t you ask me why I’m jealous?”

Tears streamed down Eloise’s face.

Kieran’s voice turned cold. “I promised to always look out for you, and why do you think that was? All these years, despite the rumors in Echo City, I never explained myself because I had promised to take care of you. But I never said I would marry you. I told you, if you found someone you loved, I would give you a dowry as a brother, to ensure you marry off with dignity, not as the orphan of the Harwood family.”

“No!”

Eloise grabbed Kieran’s arm, saying, “I know you love me. I’ve always known, ever since we were kids. Why did everything change when Freya showed up? Kieran, you’re being too cruel to me! It’s you!”

Kieran released his arm from Eloise’s grasp, his tone unyielding. “Our past bond grew as we did, but if you mistook my care for affection, then that’s on me. However, I never promised you anything. And your love isn’t me. He asked me to take care of you on his deathbed. When you had that accident, lost the baby, and Echo City was abuzz with gossip, I took the blame without defending myself, all to protect your reputation. I’ve fulfilled my duty, but it’s wrong of you to attack Freya just because I care for her.”

Hearing Kieran admit his feelings for Freya left Eloise frozen in place.

“Kieran… say that again.”

Eloise looked at Kieran, her eyes searching his face. Even when Kieran had previously made excuses for Freya, he had never openly admitted to having feelings for her.

This time, Kieran faced Eloise, his words deliberate. “I care for Freya. You shouldn’t have treated her that way.”

With those words, Kieran turned and walked away. Eloise, in a frenzy, reached out and clung to Kieran’s arm, crying out, “Kieran! You can’t do this to me! You can’t just leave me behind!”

Chapter 394