Ingrid started to laugh. Suddenly, the door to the storage room was pushed open from the outside, and a man walked in. With his arrival, the lights flickered on brightly. “Damn it–she cut her wrist! How were you guys watching her?” The manager angrily scolded the two men in black, then turned to the man in charge with a subservient smile. “I’m so sorry, Mr. Lawson. I was negligent.” “Stop the bleeding,” the man said coolly. “It’s just a minor wound–it won’t kill her.” “Right away, sir…” After stopping the bleeding, the manager splashed a cup of cold beer onto Ingrid’s face. She slowly came to. The man approached her. He then used the tip of his shoe to lift her chin, forcing her to look up. “Heh, if you really wanted to die, you shouldn’t have cut your wrist–you should’ve gone for your neck.” Ingrid, still dazed from the sudden appearance of strangers, heard the man’s voice, and her entire body shook. “You… you…” She stammered, her lips trembling as she looked up at him. Under the bright lights, the man’s face was framed with a sinister smile. He was like the devil himself. “It’s you! It’s you, isn’t it?” She suddenly became agitated, grabbing onto the man’s pant leg with her still-bleeding hand. Ingrid had never seen his face before, but she recognized that voice! The manager’s face darkened. He was about to kick her off, but Micah simply waved his hand, chuckling softly. Then he crouched down, coming face-to-face with Ingrid. “You recognized me?” “It really is you! Hansel abandoned me! When I called you, why didn’t you answer? Why didn’t you help me like before! I have nothing left now, don’t you understand!” The man’s smile never wavered. “First, I’m under no obligation to help you indefinitely. Second, you’ve played this game to a dead end–what could I possibly do to help?” He glanced at Ingrid’s wrist. “You have the courage to die, but not the courage to live and get revenge?” Revenge? That was right. She hated Miranda, and she hated Hansel even more. She wanted revenge! Micah then said, “I can help you, just like I did in Marvedis.” “Why? What do you want?” As he stood up, Micah spoke in an indifferent tone. “You don’t need to know. All you need to understand is that we have a common enemy.” Ingrid’s breath hitched. “So, what should I do next?” Micah’s cold gaze swept over her face. While Ingrid was still bewildered, he picked up the shard of glass from the ground and… In just two seconds, Ingrid was clutching her face as blood gushed through her fingers. “Ahh!” “This is your first lesson from me–break down before you rise again.”

The next morning, a private jet took off from Elgerson Airport, heading for Harbener. It was home to the world’s most advanced cosmetic surgery. Ingrid was lying on the plane as her face was wrapped in bandages, staring blankly at the ceiling. She would return. She had to return!

It was 8:00 am, and Miranda arrived at the classroom ten minutes early. Madison rushed in right on time, clutching several freshly made sandwiches and hiding a cup of coffee in her bag. “Morning, Miranda! These are sandwiches from Granny’s Recipe; they’re super delicious. Want one?” Madison, a certified foodie, had already mapped out all the best eats around campus in just under two months. The sandwiches in her hand came from one of the most popular breakfast joints near the campus. Filled with scrambled eggs and chicken breast, they were slightly pricier than the competition, but the taste was well worth it! And the reason she barely made it to class on time? She had spent ages standing in line to get them. Miranda shook her head. “I’ve already eaten, but thanks. Enjoy them.” “Well, don’t mind if I do…” Madison started devouring them, muttering between bites, “I heard that Dr. Huffle got sent abroad for an exchange program, so a substitute will be taking over the rest of the course.” “I logged into the course system yesterday to see which professor would be filling in, but it just says ‘to be determined.’ Please, don’t let it be Sophie. Please, lord…” Miranda reassured her. “I doubt it.” Madison was about to say more when a tall figure strode confidently up to the podium as the class bell rang. “Good morning, everyone. Dr. Huffle has been assigned elsewhere this semester, so I’ll be teaching this course from now on.” “Let me introduce myself–my name is Paul Jefferson."