Clara could feel Ryan's eyes on her when she stepped into the office.

There was something different about the way he was looking at her this time. It wasn't overtly hostile, but it still made her uncomfortable. A flicker of annoyance stirred within her, and she considered leaving the office immediately. But before she could act on the thought, Ryan spoke up, "Ms. Salford, we've been working together for a while now, and you've never really talked about your family. Did your brother already leave?"

Clara's brows furrowed slightly. Why was he bringing this up out of nowhere?

"He's left," she said after a pause, her tone calm but firm. "Mr. Chase, you seem awfully interested in my personal life. I don't like discussing these things with people I'm not close to. You've crossed a line." Her words made it clear where she stood.

Ryan's face betrayed a brief flash of awkwardness, but he quickly masked it with a sheepish smile. "Don't take it the wrong way, Ms. Salford. It was just a casual question. If you don't want to talk about it, I won't ask again. But..."

He deliberately paused, watching her closely, his gaze taking on an analytical edge. "Right after class, I saw Mr. Stone walking someone out of Mr. Johnson's office. A younger guy-well-dressed, strikingly good-looking, and definitely not from around here. "So, I was wondering... Could that have been your brother?"

Ryan might not have known who the man was, but he was certain that someone like that wasn't just an ordinary visitor. If Clara really came from a privileged background, he might have to rethink his approach. But if she didn't...

Ryan's gaze flickered, hiding the thoughts in his mind.

Clara froze for a moment. Images of Wren immediately surfaced in her mind.

Could it have been him? Had she not been mistaken earlier? But wasn't he supposed to have already left?

A hint of irritation bubbled up inside

her. She knew Wren well enough to know he was fully capable of doing something like this-telling her one thing, only to stay behind and

meddle in secret.

"Ms. Salford, are you okay? You don't look well," Ryan asked, feigning concern.

Clara didn't have the energy to humor him. "I'm fine," she replied curtly. "You must've been mistaken. My brother's already back in Phoypolis."noveldrama

Her confident tone seemed to put Ryan at ease. A small smile crept back onto his face.

Of course, Clara couldn't be someone with a powerful

background. If she were, why would she end up volunteering in a place like this? If her family had money, they'd probably have sent her off to some prestigious overseas program instead.

The same logic applied to him. If it weren't for the complicated situation with his family and the need to secure his future, he wouldn't have agreed to come to a place as remote and rundown as this.

Ryan's distaste for the small town of Longfield showed briefly in his expression.

But Clara didn't notice that.

When classes ended that afternoon, Clara rushed home, eager to put her unease to rest. She arrived just in time to see Alexander taking out the trash.

Alexander tossed the garbage into the dumpster and turned back, heading toward her.

"You're back," he said.

"Yeah," Clara replied with a nod. Her eyes instinctively darted toward her front door. Seeing no sign of Wren and noting that the door was still locked, her tension eased a little. Perhaps Ryan had mistaken since he didn't know Wren.

Alexander followed her gaze toward her door and asked casually, "He left, huh?"