"You’re at the school gate?!"

Marcus nearly shouted, leaning closer to the screen as realization hit him. The familiar background left no room for doubt.

"When did you get back?"

"Three days ago," Talia replied with a satisfied nod. She moved closer to the camera, her flawless face filling the screen as she tilted her head slightly, eyes sparkling with mischief. "So? Surprised?"

So that was her big surprise.

At first, Marcus honestly did not understand what was so shocking about returning to school. A flight only took a few hours. But seeing her standing there, smiling at him like that, he realized the surprise was not really about distance. It was about her appearing suddenly in his world again.

Still, he put on an exaggerated wounded expression and spoke in a mock-threatening tone.

"You’ve been back for three days and didn’t even tell me? You’ve got some nerve."

"Hmph!"

Instead of backing down, Talia instantly flared up. Her eyes widened, and she glared at him as if he had committed an unforgivable crime.

"I was planning a surprise! But you didn’t call, didn’t ask about me, didn’t show the slightest curiosity, and now you’re blaming me for not telling you?"

She crossed her arms, clearly offended, then added indignantly,

"You’re blaming the victim!"

Marcus fell silent.

He never won arguments with Talia. Somehow she always twisted things around until he was the one apologizing, even when he was sure he had a point. Her sharp mind and quick tongue were as famous as her beauty.

That was Talia Quinn.

A flawless figure, breathtaking looks, a personality that blended pride, warmth, and dangerous charm. Combined with her effortless social grace, she stood at the very center of Crestwood University’s attention. Among the Four Campus Queens, she was the one people talked about most, the natural-born beauty everyone admired yet felt slightly intimidated by.

"I really was about to call you," Marcus said weakly. "You just called first..."

It was technically true. The past few days had been busy, and the thought had crossed his mind more than once. Unfortunately, excuses rarely worked on Talia.

"Hmph. Excuses."

She saw straight through him without mercy. Then, as if switching personalities entirely, she raised her delicate hands toward the camera and began complaining in a pitiful tone.

"Look at this. I’ve been moving nonstop these past few days. My hands aren’t soft anymore. And the sun has been terrible, my skin feels dry. Plus I just got back to school, so I’m still adjusting..."

The transformation was astonishing. The proud, captivating "vixen" suddenly sounded like a spoiled girl seeking comfort.

Anyone else witnessing this would refuse to believe that this was the same Talia who left crowds speechless with a single glance.

"I’ve been so busy since coming back," she added, pouting slightly. "You didn’t even come help me."

Marcus opened his mouth, then closed it again.

Last time they spoke, she had never mentioned returning to campus. How was he supposed to help with something he did not know about? If he had known, he would have gone to pick her up without hesitation.

But looking at her now, at those fair hands she claimed were rough, at skin still flawless enough to shame professional models, at that effortless elegance she carried even while complaining, he could only sigh inwardly.

Some women were unfairly blessed by heaven.

And when beautiful women decided to be unreasonable, resistance was futile.

Marcus felt his head spinning under her barrage of grievances, but then something she said earlier finally clicked.

"Wait," he said suddenly. "Moving?"

He straightened, curiosity replacing confusion.

"You said you’ve been moving. Moving what?"

Talia’s lips curved into a knowing smile.

"What do you think?"

Marcus blinked once, then twice. "No way... you’re coming back to school? For real?"

This time the surprise was real.

Talia was not just another student returning from vacation. She was a genuine dance prodigy, specializing in classical ballet dance and standing at the absolute top of Crestwood University’s dance program. Her performances were legendary on campus. When she danced, audiences forgot to breathe.

Among the Four Campus Queens, her talent alone placed her in a league of her own.

Her reputation extended far beyond the university. Across performing arts circles nationwide, her name carried weight. After graduation, Crestwood University had personally invited her to remain as a faculty instructor, an honor rarely offered to someone so young.

But Marcus knew she had received an even greater opportunity.

A year ago, through pure accident, he had discovered her biggest secret.

Talia was a nationally certified special-class dancer, officially recognized and supported at the national level. At only twenty years old, she already held an achievement many performers spent their entire lives chasing.

Under his relentless questioning back then, she had finally admitted the truth she kept hidden from almost everyone.

She was ’Scarlett.’

Marcus still remembered staring at her, completely stunned, his mouth hanging open in disbelief.

Six years earlier, when Talia was only sixteen, a mysterious dancer named Scarlett had appeared on the national Festival Gala stage. Her solo performance, Feather Dance, captivated millions of viewers and instantly became unforgettable.

Over the following three years, Scarlett returned three more times, presenting Southern Grace, Sun-Moon Fan Dance, and Western Melody. Each performance revived public interest in the dance tradition, blending elegance, emotion, and cultural depth in a way few artists could achieve. The name Scarlett rose rapidly, becoming synonymous with artistic brilliance.

Audiences called her the greatest dance talent of this generation. Yet during every performance, Scarlett wore a black veil that concealed her identity. No one knew who she truly was.

Except Marcus.

The memory of that revelation still felt unreal.

"Talia," he asked carefully, still processing the situation, "you’re not coming back to teach here... are you?"

Her laughter rang through the phone, bright and satisfied as she watched his shocked expression.

Her body swayed slightly as she moved, graceful even in the smallest motion, like a dancer unconsciously performing.

"I thought about it," she said lightly. "And I decided I like the school better. So I came back."

She smiled warmly, but as Marcus remained stunned, she stole a quiet glance at him through the screen.

A faint bitterness passed through her eyes, gone almost as soon as it appeared.

After all, the real reason she returned to Crestwood... was standing right in front of her.