Zoey Su was born lively and clever, but at school she always played the role of a quiet, well-behaved honors student—and she’d kept up the act for years without anyone seeing through her. Clearly, she wasn’t just smart, she was a master at pretending.
The moment she started suspecting her dad, Zoey decided there was no way she was going home. Who knew if he’d try to set her up with another rich heir or some official’s son? If one of them took a fancy to her, she might end up with another Andy Jin situation.
Besides, she couldn’t stay at school much longer. Her dad had already called in her absence, so why not take the opportunity to go out and have some fun? If the guest couldn’t find her, he’d probably just leave.
So, as soon as the bell rang, Zoey quickly stuffed her things into her backpack. Out of the corner of her eye, she suddenly noticed her father's driver walking into the classroom with two bodyguards.
Her expression changed slightly—she hadn’t expected her dad to be so sneaky, actually sending people to school to get her.
"Miss, the master sent us to pick you up." The driver walked up and reached out, trying to take her backpack.
Zoey’s eyes flickered. She quickly stepped back, feigning fear, and shouted, "Who are you? I don’t know you!"
As one of Saint Night High School’s two campus goddesses, Zoey’s performance immediately caught the attention of the boys. Sensing a chance to show off, they started crowding around to ‘protect’ her.
The driver knew full well how mischievous Zoey could be. Seeing her pull this stunt, he forced a bitter smile and said, "Miss, quit messing around. The master and the guest are waiting for you at home. Just come with me!"
"Nonsense! I don’t know you!" Zoey stepped back again, her pretty face full of caution, her eyes flashing with fear and alarm.
"Hey, mister! Zoey Su said she doesn’t know you! You better get lost, or I’ll deck you!" A tall boy stepped forward, glaring fiercely at the driver.
This driver was Steven Su’s trusted aide. He knew the guest at home—Kyle "Madman" Lee—was a big deal, and that Madman had taken an interest in Zoey Su. Steven had ordered him to bring her back no matter what.
His face darkened as he shot a cold look at the boy. Spotting Zoey edging toward the exit, he quickly ordered the two bodyguards, "Dong, Xi, take Miss Su away!"
"Yes, sir!"
The two bodyguards strode toward Zoey, saying, "Sorry, Miss."
"Ah!"
With a high-pitched scream, Zoey cried, "Help! Help! Bad people are trying to grab me!"
The classroom erupted—Zoey Su’s plea sent the boys’ blood boiling.
Any hesitation vanished as the boys surged forward, forming a human wall to block the bodyguards and shield Zoey behind them. Together, they shouted, "Don’t worry, Zoey Su! We’ll protect you!"
Faced with the wall of boys, the two bodyguards couldn’t help but look awkward.
Just then, the driver saw Zoey Su slip out the back and panicked. "Crap, Miss Su ran off!"
The three immediately turned and dashed for the front door.
"Quick, stop them!"
The tall boy who’d spoken up first shouted loudly.
The boys quickly split into two groups—one chased the driver and bodyguards at the front door, while the other ran for the back, planning to trap them from both sides.
Soon, the three adults were completely blocked in by the students, unable to move forward or back.
When boys from two neighboring classes heard someone was trying to 'kidnap' Zoey Su, their blood boiled and they rushed over to help, even threatening to drag the three adults to the police station.
As the crowd thickened, the driver and bodyguards realized there was no way they could break through.
Luckily, some girls went to tell the teachers. The homeroom teacher arrived with a team of security guards, and after some discussion, it turned out to be a misunderstanding—the three really were Zoey Su’s family driver and bodyguards.
Meanwhile, Steven Su got word from the driver that Zoey had escaped. He cursed his clever daughter, then ordered the driver to find her and bring her home, no matter what.
Meanwhile, at the villa—
Nearly two hours had passed, and Zoey Su still hadn’t come home. Howard Su was getting impatient. "Old Su, what’s going on? Why isn’t Zoey back yet?"
"Sorry, Young Master Howard. My daughter’s been rebelling against me lately—she loves to do the opposite of whatever I say. I’ll send more people to look for her right away!" Steven Su explained awkwardly, then called in six more bodyguards to search for Zoey.
"Howard." Kyle 'Madman' Lee spoke up.
"Yes, Mr. Lee?" Howard Su replied respectfully.
"If I remember right, Riverstone City is the Nangong Family’s turf, isn’t it? Just a little clan, right?" Madman Lee said thoughtfully.
Steven Su couldn’t help but shudder inwardly when he heard Madman Lee call the mighty Nangong Family a 'little clan.'
"Let’s go pay the Nangongs a visit," Madman Lee said, rising to his feet.
Steven Su thought Madman Lee was upset about Zoey and hurriedly tried to persuade him to stay.
"Old Su, I’ve got business with the Nangongs. I’ll come back to your place tonight." Madman Lee flashed a chilling smile, showing off two rows of gleaming white teeth.
Howard Su pulled Steven Su aside again, lowering his voice: "Old Su, if Mr. Lee comes back and still doesn’t see Zoey, you know what’ll happen, right?" There was a clear threat in his tone.
"Don’t worry, Young Master Howard! I’ll send even more people to find her!" Steven Su replied in a panic.
Half an hour later, in the Nangong Family’s reception hall—
Kyle 'Madman' Lee took a sip of tea and said slowly, "Third Master Nangong, I hear you’ve had some trouble with a kid named Ian Song?"
Nathan Nangong stiffened at the words, replying cautiously, "There’s been quite a bit of trouble, yes. My son’s still in a coma at the hospital, all thanks to Ian Song!"
"Oh, so that’s how it is." Madman Lee said playfully. "So why haven’t you retaliated? That kid’s only at Innate Second Layer, right?"
Nathan Nangong was startled, but pretended to be angry: "Who says we haven’t tried? It’s just that he’s backed by the Zhao Family now, so we don’t dare make a move!"
Madman Lee sneered, "The Zhao Family means nothing! Today, you’ve got me backing you. I hear your Nangong Family has three Innate experts—send them out and bring Ian Song back to me!"
"Uh..." Nathan Nangong hesitated, looking troubled.
"What? Don’t trust me?" Madman Lee’s gaze turned icy, and Nathan instantly felt a crushing pressure.
Madman Lee clearly wasn’t here for pleasantries—he had it out for Ian Song.
Realizing this, Nathan quickly agreed, "Mr. Lee, I’ll send our three elders right away to bring Ian Song here!"
After third period ended, Ian Song suddenly frowned—he sensed the arrival of the three Nangong elders at the school.
He used telepathy to tell them to wait in the grove beside the athletic field, then rushed over himself.