"I think Autumn's gone insane. Does she really believe that trying to please them will actually work?!"
"And when she doesn't understand something, isn't she still the one relying on us for tutoring?!"
William Moore's angry voice cut through the air — such visible irritation was rare on his usually composed and aloof face.
In the past, he was always calm, distant — the picture of icy restraint.
Anna Hawthorne bit her lip to stop herself from laughing, pretending to hold back emotion.William Moore, seriously? You, tutoring? With that handwritten vocabulary notebook of yours?
But Ethan James clearly didn't think that far. William's words struck a chord deep inside him.
Since their father was always busy with work, Ethan had practically raised Autumn himself.
From her first words to her teenage years, he'd been there for it all.
He'd even delayed his own schooling by two years just so they could attend the same school together.
He never imagined that one day she'd turn her back on him — trying so hard to please others.All his love and care... fed to the dogs.
Anna watched the two of them fuming, a triumphant curve forming at the corner of her lips.
Autumn James, look. This is the family and friendship you worked so hard to protect?So fragile. So laughable.
Daniel Grant caught her tiny smirk immediately — and saw right through her intention.
Still, he only smiled indulgently, reaching over to place a dish on her tray.
"Eat more vegetables."
Anna's smile turned sweet. "Thank you, Brother Daniel!"
Daniel gently patted her head.
Fueled by anger, the group ate much faster than usual.
After finishing their meal, they picked up their trays and headed toward the conveyor belt.
As they passed by Autumn's table, Ethan couldn't hold back any longer. His tone dripped with sarcasm.
"Some people really are ungrateful wolves. The moment they leave, they can't wait to find new masters to please."
William's eyes widened in surprise — he hadn't expected Ethan to speak like that.Even for him, that was harsh.
And in the same instant the words left his mouth, Ethan regretted it.But an arrow once shot can't be taken back.
Still, deep down, he waited for Autumn's reaction — even if it was anger, at least it would show she still cared.
All eyes turned toward Autumn James.
But to everyone's surprise, she didn't even lift her eyelids.
"Go out, turn left, walk 200 meters straight, then turn right for another 50."
The group blinked, confused.
Luke Warren leaned lazily back in his chair.
"Didn't get it, morons? She's telling you to head to the school clinic."
His smirk deepened. "With IQs that low, yeah, you should definitely see a doctor."
Ethan's face darkened instantly, and William's calm eyes flashed with irritation.
"Luke Warren, shut your mouth! Who said you could speak here?"
He sneered. "Do you honestly think someone like you — who spends his time fighting — could ever be liked by anyone?"
Luke didn't flinch. His eyes glimmered with amusement as he lifted his gaze, meeting William's head-on.
"And who the hell do you think you are?" he replied flatly. "You think you're qualified to say that?"
Then, his eyes flicked toward the tray in William's hands."Oh, and that meal must've hurt your wallet, huh?" he added mockingly.
William and Luke weren't just rivals.
They were half-brothers — born to different parents, connected only through marriage.
William's mother had married Luke's father, bringing her son into the family.
Back then, when Luke's father first introduced them, Luke had tried to be welcoming — finally, he thought, someone to play with.
At first, he truly treated William like a brother.But soon he realized William was nothing like he seemed.
Whenever Luke invited him out to play, William would decline — only to run straight to his father afterward, tattling.
Then he'd turn around and act like the perfect, obedient son in front of their father.
Luke, of course, got scolded.
To earn their father's favor, William went to ridiculous extremes —wearing clothes until they faded, refusing even a cent of family money, claiming he could earn his own through tutoring.
And because of all that fake "diligence," their father's bias toward Luke grew worse and worse.
Especially with William's mother whispering in his ear day and night.
For now, their father still had his wits about him. But soon? Luke knew that might change.If that old man ever lost clarity, the entire inheritance could easily fall into William's hands.
So no — Luke Warren would never treat him kindly again.
William's jaw tightened. Luke's words had hit their mark.His face flushed red with anger, his voice trembling as he tried to hold it together.
"I'm your older brother! Don't you think you should show a little respect?!"
Luke didn't even blink.
"Triggered brother," he said coolly.
That did it. Autumn nearly choked on her food from laughing, trying to stifle it with a cough.
William's face turned crimson.
He opened his mouth as if to speak, then shut it again — finally storming off in humiliation.
Anna hurried after him.
She turned once more toward Autumn, disappointment dripping from her tone.
"Autumn, William's been tutoring you all this time. Even if he hasn't done much, you shouldn't just sit there and let your friend humiliate him."
Without waiting for a reply, she rushed after William.
Autumn blinked up from her plate, utterly blank.What the hell is wrong with her?
"William, don't be mad," Anna said softly, tugging on his sleeve. "That was Autumn's friend. I'm sure if something like this happened again, Autumn would stand up for you — just like before."
William froze.
She was right.Before, if anyone dared speak to him like that, Autumn would've already jumped up, ready to fight on his behalf.
She'd never let him take that kind of insult.
And now? She hadn't even looked at him.
The realization chilled him to the bone.
So this was what Autumn's indifference felt like.
It wasn't Luke Warren who humiliated him — it was her silence.
His hand clenched into a tight fist, veins throbbing beneath the skin.
Autumn James, you're unbelievable.
Taking a deep breath, he forced himself to calm down.
Fine. A gentleman's revenge can wait ten years.
When I inherit the Warren family's assets... Luke Warren, I'll make sure you regret this day.
Back in the cafeteria, Autumn and the others finished their lunch as if nothing had happened.
When they returned to class, the room was quiet.Only a few students remained, heads down on their desks, already napping.
Only William Moore sat upright at his seat.
Though the weather was cooling, autumn afternoons were still stiflingly warm.
He had zipped his uniform jacket all the way up to the collar, sitting perfectly straight — posture precise, disciplined.
Even in his own class, he looked unnaturally tense.
Thick black-rimmed glasses covered most of his face, and his long bangs hid his eyes, making it impossible to read his expression.
But Autumn James — reborn with memories of her past life — knew one thing for certain.
This man was dangerous.Extremely dangerous.
She'd stay as far away from him as possible.