"You dare hit me! Wren Wynter, what gives you the right to hit me!"

Seraphina Sutton clutched her cheek, her eyes wide with disbelief as she shrieked.

She lunged forward to grab Wren Wynter’s hair, but Kaden Xavier grabbed her by the wrist and yanked her back.

"Seraphina Sutton, have you not made enough of a scene?"

His expression was frigid, his patience clearly exhausted.

Unwilling to back down, her cheek burning, Seraphina glared at Wren with jealousy.

’She knew that if she pushed things any further right now, she would only invite Kaden’s even greater disgust.’

She reined in her anger, her eyes welling with tears. Biting her lower lip, she sobbed aggrievedly, "Dr. Wynter, I know you hate me. Go on, hit me. If it’ll make you feel better, hit me as hard as you can."

"Alright!" Wren slapped her again. After landing the blow, she even rolled her wrist. "I’ve never heard such a ridiculous request in my entire life."

Even after Seraphina was slapped four times in a row, Kaden didn’t react at all. Instead, the look he gave Wren was surprisingly full of indulgence.

"Assistant Lynch, see Miss Sutton out. From now on, if she comes looking for me, don’t let her in without my permission."

Kaden ordered Assistant Lynch, his face devoid of expression.

"Yes, sir!" Assistant Lynch nodded repeatedly and made a "this way, please" gesture toward Seraphina Sutton.

"Why are you doing this to me? You promised Asher you would take good care of me!" Seraphina tried to use Asher Lynch to stir Kaden’s guilt.

’Since the incident with Miracle Doctor Wallace, he hadn’t come to Azure Dragon Bay even once.’

’It’s a good thing he stayed away. If he found out I killed his grandmother, he’d probably tear me to pieces.’

"My debt to Asher Lynch is paid. If you push your luck again, I won’t tolerate it," Kaden said, his tone leaving no room for argument.

’He wouldn’t indulge Seraphina anymore. Besides, he’d already done everything he should to make amends.’

"No, I..."

Kaden pulled Wren toward his office without a backward glance.

"Miss Sutton, if you please," Assistant Lynch said, his tone firm.

As unwilling as she was, Seraphina could only stomp her foot in anger and turn to leave.

Wren felt the warmth from his hand on hers and abruptly pulled away.

"I’ve seen the autopsy report." Kaden paid no mind to Wren’s small gesture. "Grandma had no other injuries, just the single fatal wound. I’m not the expert here. What’s your take on it?"

Wren pursed her lips. "The killer must have repeatedly inserted and withdrawn the weapon, which is what caused the abrasion."

"Each stab was deeper than the last..." Kaden narrowed his eyes, which filled with a brutal energy. His heart ached with grief at Wren’s conclusion.

’When I catch the killer, I’ll make them suffer a hundred, a thousand times more.’

"I suspect the killer was an acquaintance," Wren said. "There were no signs of a struggle at the scene, which means Grandma was either talking to this person, or they stabbed her right away."

"So Grandma let her guard down," Kaden finished.

"Mhm," Wren nodded.

’This narrowed the scope, but it was still like finding a needle in a haystack.’

’Finding the killer wouldn’t be that simple.’

"I’ll have the police find them within two days," Kaden said, his voice hoarse.

"I have something to do. I’m leaving."

"I’ll give you a ride." Kaden stood up and grabbed his car keys, his manner leaving no room for refusal.

Wren glanced at the time. It was already past six in the evening, and hailing a cab at this hour would be difficult. She didn’t refuse. "Please take me to A University."

The two of them went downstairs in silence.

"You’ve lost weight," Kaden said suddenly, his voice soft.

Wren froze for a moment, then looked up and saw her own slightly haggard face in the reflection on the elevator’s metal wall.

She gave a slight tug at the corner of her lips. "There’s been a lot going on recently. I haven’t been sleeping well."

"You need to take care of yourself." Kaden’s gaze rested on her face, filled with complex emotions. "I know you’re heartbroken about Grandma’s death, but don’t push yourself too hard."

"I know." Wren lowered her eyes. "You too."

Another silence fell between them.

「About half an hour later, the car stopped at the gate of A University.」

"Wren, what are you doing at A University?" Kaden asked, watching the people coming and going from the campus gate.

Wren unbuckled her seatbelt, her tone flat. "Substitute teaching."

"You’re teaching at A University? What about your job at the hospital?" Kaden asked, surprised.

Wren’s hand paused on the door handle. She tightened her grip and answered coolly, "It has nothing to do with you."

She pushed the door open and got out.

Kaden watched her retreating figure, sitting in the car for a long time without starting the engine.

He lit a cigarette but didn’t smoke it, simply watching the crimson tip glow and fade.

’Kaden knew the only reason Wren was still willing to have any contact with him was to find his grandmother’s killer.’

’Once the killer was found, they wouldn’t be far from becoming complete strangers.’

He leaned back against the car seat, closed his eyes, and gripped the steering wheel with one hand.

’In five more days, the divorce cooling-off period would be over.’

The car window was halfway down, and the night wind blew in, carrying the distinct chill of early autumn and the faint scent of osmanthus.

After an unknown amount of time, he finally stubbed out the cigarette, started the car, and drove away.

「Inside the A University campus.」

Wren had just walked into the medical school building when she heard a clear male voice from behind her call out, "Ms. Wynter!"

She turned around and saw Zane Langley walking briskly toward her, a backpack slung over one shoulder.

"Ms. Wynter, fancy seeing you here." Zane came to her side and asked casually, "I just saw you a moment ago. Was that your boyfriend in the car?"

His eyes held a hint of playfulness, and his tone was teasing.

Their interaction was nothing like that of a teacher and student.

Wren was taken aback for a second, then shook her head. "No. Soon-to-be ex-husband, to be precise."

Zane let out a hearty laugh, his expression filled with joy and relief. "Oh, so that’s how it is. I never would’ve thought that someone as beautiful as you, Ms. Wynter, would also have such a messy marriage."

"Mhm, yeah. A complete mess." Wren glanced at her watch. It was just past seven.

"Zane, friendly reminder, class starts in ten minutes. Are you sure you want to keep chatting with me here? I won’t let you off the hook for being late just because of this, you know."

"Ms. Wynter, you’re so heartless! I’m your lifesaver, you know!"

Zane pressed his hands together in a pleading gesture.

Wren found this a little amusing. "That was then, this is now. Hurry up and get to class."

Zane pouted and turned to walk toward the academic building.

Wren received a call from the principal and hurried to his office. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

"Principal, you were looking for me?"