Usually, the classmates around would often talk about George King and Edward King, the two siblings—not about how they got into another fight with students from another school today, then about how many girlfriends George King has changed, or about what luxury brand of perfume Edward King is using today and how much it costs. Nearly half of the daily gossip revolves around these two. Even if Grace Miller were a fool, he would know that the Edward King siblings’ family background is anything but ordinary. To have so many bad rumors in a top provincial high school and still be able to keep studying here—the influence behind them must be tremendous. He really didn’t want to get into any conflict with people like that.

　　Just then, a deliberately rough voice called out from afar. More than a dozen tall, burly students crowded around a handsome boy in a basketball jersey with a buzz cut, running over in this direction. The momentum of more than a dozen people charging together was quite intimidating. Grace Miller frowned and glanced at the group running toward him, then looked in the direction where Lily Scott had left—she was already out of sight. He immediately felt impatient.

　　Suddenly, he felt a tight grip on his hand. Looking down, he saw Edward King smugly grabbing his right hand.

　　“Trying to run? Too late now!”

　　Grace Miller didn’t want to get tangled up with these brats. With a slight twist of his hand and a little trick, he smoothly slipped out of Edward King’s grasp.

　　“I have things to do, I don’t have time to waste with you!” Now that Grace Miller had recovered a bit physically, he naturally looked down on these ordinary high schoolers. Even if there were more than a dozen of them, since they didn’t know how to coordinate attacks, he’d only have to face two or three at a time. With his current foundation in basic swordsmanship, he could take them all down in less than a minute. But that wasn’t the issue right now—he needed to catch up with Lily Scott.

　　“Waste time!?” Edward King’s almond-shaped eyes widened. “Could you be any more shameless?”

Chapter 7: Pursuit

　　Grace Miller had a headache.

　　Faced with someone with such a powerful family background, strong influence at school, and high popularity, his usual approach would be to avoid them if possible. He was still far from being able to disregard worldly rules.

　　So when Edward King stared at him with a “you’re so shameless” expression, Grace Miller was completely at a loss.

　　The sound of hurried footsteps approached from afar—George King and his group were running over, looking furious. Judging by the situation, if nothing unexpected happened, it would probably turn into a group beating. Although he wasn’t afraid, he didn’t want to become famous at school in this way.

　　Grace Miller looked down at Edward King. The girl grabbed his sleeve again, a smug smile on her face.

　　“I advise you to let go. Don’t push me too far. Even a rabbit will bite when cornered!” Grace Miller said with a smile, his voice low enough for only Edward King and himself to hear.

　　“I just want to push you! Heh, what can you do to me? Do you dare do anything to me?” The little troublemaker looked even more pleased, her lips curving like a crescent moon.

　　Grace Miller looked around and saw that no one was nearby. Clearly, everyone was intimidated by George King’s presence and had retreated far away.

　　“Don’t regret it then!” A trace of coldness flashed across Grace Miller’s face. He hated this kind of unreasonable, pushy person the most. Sometimes, you just have to act decisively—never hesitate.

　　“Regret? That word doesn’t exist in this lady’s dictionary!!” Edward King raised her eyebrows, one hand on her hip.

　　“Hurry up!! Whoever dares bully my little sister, I’ll fight them to the end!!”

　　From afar, George King’s loud shout drew closer, and the group with him echoed his cries. The basketball team, always full of energy with nowhere to vent, loved following George King around looking for trouble. Now that there was a fight to be had, they were all excited, cracking their knuckles and getting ready.

　　Grace Miller glanced at George King in the distance, then at Edward King in front of him. Suddenly, a smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

　　He took a deep breath. All of a sudden—

　　“Edward King!!!! I like you!! Will you be my girlfriend!!”

　　He practically shouted the words.

　　In an instant, everyone was stunned.

　　George King and his group froze, their faces blank, all of them dumbfounded.

　　Even the students watching from afar fell silent. The whole area was quiet, not a sound to be heard.

　　As for Edward King in front of him, she was even more shocked—her almond eyes wide, her mouth slightly open. She was probably in a complete daze, not knowing how to react.

　　A few girls who had just left the school looked over in surprise, blushed, whispered to each other, and hurried away.

　　George King was the first to react. Looking at the boy standing next to his sister, he suddenly felt a surge of admiration and respect. Ever since they were kids, he had always been bullied by his little sister Edward King. If there was something tasty, she got it first; something fun, she got it first; not to mention being her free shopping porter, bodyguard, errand boy, driver, and wallet... He had always fantasized that some dark horse prince would come and rescue him from his sister’s tyranny. Now it seemed...

　　George King’s sharp eyes swept over the hand his sister was using to grab Grace Miller’s sleeve, and a knowing smile appeared on his face.