“Close the window and help retrieve these papers,” Marcus directed. “The window’s broken and won’t


    close,” someone responded.


    In the midst of the chaos, students rallied to retrieve the scattered documents and assist Kaya, whose


    lightweight papers were at the mercy of the wind.


    Kaya approached Millie with a plea in her eyes.


    “Millie, may I put my papers in your bag? My documents are so Light, and I fear they’ll be blown away


    again.”


    ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .


    Millie was momentarily taken aback by the request, her mind racing.


    The contents of her bag were far from suitable for public disy, especially during a ssroom mishap.


    She couldn’t allow anyone else to see what was concealed within.


    With her mind made up, Millie replied, “I’m sorry, Kaya, but I need to use my bag. Try finding something


    to weigh down your papers.”


    A N G E L A ‘s L I B R A R Y


    Kaya’s demeanor shifted from a plea to apparent frustration.


    “It’s just a bag. Why are you being so stingy? Please, just let me borrow it. I don’t want to disrupt the


    ss any further.”


    Millie chose to ignore her, well aware that Kaya was intentionally causing a disturbance.


    She probably assumed that Marcus wouldn’t be on Millie’s side, given that he had ced her at the


    back of the ssroom during the previous ss.


    Undeterred, Kaya remained standing next to Millie, determined not to back down until she got what she


    wanted.


    Observing the interaction, Marcus stepped off the tform, his eyes narrowing in scrutiny.


    Maintaining her poise, Millie focused on the book in front of her. However, her senses heightened as


    Marcus approached and reached for her bag.


    “No,” she eximed, standing up hastily. She had not anticipated that Marcus would directly take her


    bag.


    Marcus gazed at the contents of the bag, his heart racing in response. He had sensed something was


    amiss with Millie’s bag when she stood at the door earlier, but he hadn’t anticipated this particr


    discovery.


    Turning his attention to Millie, whose face was now as red as a ripe apple, he cleared his throat and


    returned the bag to her with a knowing look. In the midst of this exchange, his gaze shifted toward


    Kaya.


    “Return to your seat. If you’re intent on disrupting the ss, then feel free to stand outside.” Kaya’s face


    darkened with humiliation, as if she had been publicly reprimanded.


    “Alright, Mr. Thomas.”


    Subsequently, Millie discovered that Marcus had cast numerous nces in her direction. Consequently,


    throughout the entire ss, she found herself blushing.


    In the evening, within the shopping mall’s lounge, Darin retrieved a list and passed it to Rhea.


    “Here’s our wedding gift list. What are your thoughts?”