Finally, when the teachers tried to step in:
Lia raised her hand.
"I take full responsibility. All of it. Every single thing that happened in this hallway was because of me."
Teachers and the principal were still shaking.
They knew she could do much worse.
Lia absorbed all the consequences, like a queen defending her people.
The principal's office was quiet… almost too quiet.
Lia sat in the center chair, perfectly composed. Not a single muscle twitched, not a hint of fear on her face. The teachers shuffled nervously around her, unsure how to handle the second richest person in the world, the girl who could fight better than any of them.
Tiger cleared his throat. "So… detention. For… the hallway chaos…"
Lia leaned back, eyes cold, and said nothing. The silence was heavy, intimidating.
Every teacher present could feel it.
Every staff member understood — no one dared cross her.
Finally, the principal sighed, "Fine… Lia Fernandez. Detention is… officially yours. The rest…" He gestured vaguely toward Section E students. "…escaped consequences. But… be careful. Your influence is… enormous."
Lia simply nodded, stood, and walked out. Not a word. Not a glance.
When Lia arrived at her house, the atmosphere felt strange. The living room was quiet. Her family looked at her nervously, as if afraid to speak.
She didn't say a word.
She didn't greet anyone.
She didn't even sit down.
Her mind was racing.
Everyone knew about Kiara.
Her anger from earlier wasn't just about Section D — it was about the betrayal, the rumors, the exposure.
Her friends, everyone had heard everything, and now Lia couldn't trust a single word.
She moved silently through the house, her eyes cold, scanning everyone.
She ignored all of them.
Except… one person.
Kairav, somehow, didn't know about the Kiara situation.
Lia finally stopped in the living room. She looked at him, her expression softening ever so slightly.
Kairav looked back, concerned.
"Lia… are you okay?" he asked.
She didn't answer immediately. Then, slowly, she nodded.
Finally, for the first time all day, she spoke.
"Don't tell anyone about this. About Kiara. About today. Just… stay out of it."
Kairav nodded silently.
"You don't have to talk to anyone else. I'm here."
Lia let out a small, almost imperceptible sigh. She remained quiet, but somehow… the weight on her shoulders felt a little lighter.
Lia's anger burned silently, sharper than ever.
Everyone else in her world knew about Kiara… except Kairav.
Lia refused to talk to anyone else, keeping her distance, protecting herself.
Only Kairav had her trust — for now.
The tension was thick.
The silence in the house was louder than any fight in the hallway.
Something told Lia… the storm wasn't over.