They would always be enemies. Reconciliation was out of the question.

Clifford, stung by Citrine''s words and pride, scoffed and snapped, "Even if you begged me, I''d never make peace with you."

The atmosphere in the office turned icy. Beatrice felt a headacheing on, but she didn''t try to coax the two into making up again.

That''s when Raymond, who had been silent until now, finally spoke, his voice low and calm.

"Ms. Beatrice, correct me if I''m wrong, but wasn''t it Clifford who went looking for trouble with my daughter in her ss first?"

Raymond''s brows drew together, his stare cutting and cold. He radiated an unmistakable air of authority.

Beatrice nodded, albeit hesitantly.

Raymond continued, "He harassed my daughter in her ssroom, and then he hit her. He owes her an apology."

"Why should I apologize?" Clifford shot back, bristling like a cornered cat. "Citrine should apologize to Jete!"

Everyone turned to stare at Clifford, baffled.

What did Jete have to do with any of this?

"What exactly do you mean?" Beatrice pressed.

Clifford, full of self-righteousness, dered, "Citrine stole first ce from Jete. She should apologize, shouldn''t she?"

"Stole?"

Raymond''s frown deepened, his eyes like daggers.

"Isn''t first ce based on grades? Since when did it be Jete''s personal property?"

He looked at Clifford, voice icy. "So, by your logic, anyone whoes in first has to apologize to the runner-up?"

"People who are better don''t need to apologize to those who can''t keep up," Clifford retorted.

Now everyone was staring at Clifford, perplexed-even Sawyer''s brow creased in disapproval.

Frustrated, Clifford blurted out, "She cheated, that''s why!"

Beatrice''s expression turned frosty. "Clifford, the principal already confirmed Citrine did not cheat. Watch your words."

Raymond''s gaze grew even colder. "If you keep spreading lies, I''ll call the police."

Clifford, still young and inexperienced, was cowed by Raymond''s stern re and immediately fell silent.

"Apologize," Raymond demanded, his patience at an end.

Clifford pressed his lips together, refusing to speak. After a long moment, Sawyer spoke up, his tone frigid.

"Clifford, apologize."

Clifford looked at Sawyer, confused. "Dad?"

Sawyer''s voice was even colder. "Now."

"...Sorry," Clifford mumbled, his reluctance obvious.

Citrine merely gave him a cool nce. "If you don''t mean it, don''t bother trying to disgust me."

She paused, then added, "Even if you were sincere, I wouldn''t ept your apology."

With that, Citrine took Raymond''s hand. "Let''s go."

The moment he felt her soft, small hand in his, the harshness in Raymond''s expression melted away.

"All right," he replied, his voice gentler than anyone had ever heard it.

Afterward, Citrine apanied Raymond to the hospital for a check-up.

The results showed she only had a minor scrape.

Citrine herself didn''t seem concerned, but Raymond was so anxious he insisted the doctor bandage her up thoroughly.

They ended up arguing about it the whole way home.

"Is this really necessary?" Citrine sighed in exasperation.

"Yes," Raymond said firmly, leaving no room for discussion.

Left with no choice, Citrine relented.

On the drive back, Citrine watched Raymond at the wheel, her gaze pensive.

She couldn''t quite figure him out.

"I''ve caused you so much trouble. Aren''t you angry?" she asked after a long hesitation.