Soon, students gathered around. "Oh my God! There's a fight!"

Hattie was terrified. Fighting on campus would result in disciplinary action, and she was already in severe pain. Hailey had pinned her to the ground. Even though Hattie's friends intervened, Hailey continued to attack. Hattie felt as if her body were on fire.

She shoved Hailey off. "Just you wait, Hailey! I'll get help!" Hattie ran off with her friends.

Hailey was also hurt, her clothes torn. She picked up her handbag and headed to the dressing room to change. Despite the pain, she didn't regret fighting Hattie. She wouldn't tolerate anyone badmouthing her.

While Hailey waited, she began to remove her top, wincing as she felt the pain of several red scratches. She hadn't noticed them during the fight, but the pain intensified. Her phone rang; it was Celine.

"Where are you, Hailey? I heard you got into a fight," Celine said. She'd been waiting for Hailey in the dorm, but classmates had told her about the fight.

Hailey clutched the phone. "I'm fine, Celine. I ran into Hattie, and she was badmouthing Declan with her friends."

"So you fought them for Declan?" Celine asked.

"Yeah. Six of them, but I didn't lose…" Hailey winced, touching a wound. Tears welled up in her eyes. "Where are you? I'll come to you."

Hailey gave Celine her location, and they ended the call. Celine immediately went to the dressing room, only to find Declan there, looking cold and aloof. He was dressed entirely in black: a black shirt unbuttoned over a white tank top, and black trousers. His tall, lean figure, neatly cropped hair, and cold demeanor made him attractive to wealthy heiresses.

Celine stepped forward. "Wait, Declan."

He stopped and turned, his expression emotionless. "What is it?"

"Hi, Declan. I'm Celine Tate, Hailey's friend. Do you remember Hailey?"

Declan didn't answer, turning to walk away. Celine felt frustrated. She quickly blocked his path. "Hailey just fought some girls because they were badmouthing you."

Declan glanced at Celine, silent, trying to walk past.

"I'm not trying to guilt-trip you," Celine continued, "I just want you to know Hailey really appreciated what you did for her last time. I understand you don't want to be involved with her, but the more you avoid her, the more she wants to see you. Could you at least spare a few minutes to meet her?"

In the dressing room, Hailey was putting on her bra when there was a knock at the door.