Clara didn't notice the subtle tension in the air. She glanced up and saw Aaron waving her over with a warnanule. "Clara, come sit here."

nyan, sätting nearby, immediately snapped back to attention and quickly pulled out the chair beside him

Believed by everyone's friendliness, Clara seniled and took a seat.

Ethan followed her and sat in the empty chair to her left while tyan settled on her right.

Ms. Salford, heidenthusiastically.

"I'm Ryan Chase," Ryan introduced himself with an eager smile, gesturing to Nina next to him. "This is Nina Foster. Like you, we're here at Moonbay Elementary School for voluntary teaching." Mina forced a polite smile and gave clara a quick nod:

Ryan continued, pointing across the table, "That's Laura Price," he said, motioning to a middle-aged woman with glasses. "And Frank Miller," he added. indicating the man sitting next to her. Clara greeted everyone warmly and pave a brief introduction about herself.

When she was done, Nina looked over with a seemingly casual question "Ms. Salford, you're from Phoypolis, night? You must come from a well-off family. Wi made you decide to come all the way here to do voluntary teaching?" There was a sharp edge to her tone that Clara couldn't quite place. It felt like there was more to the question than curiosity.

Clara smiled politely, brushing off the unease. "I was inspired by one of Mr. Stone's documentaries. It gave me the courage to face life differently, and I wanted to contribute to education in rural areas

She left out the personal struggles that had led her there

That documentary had been a turning point for her, offering a ray of hope during the darkest time of her lite. Watching those kids tight for their education despite their hardships had stirred something in her, giving her a rewed sense of purpose. But those were private details she didn't want to share.

However, Nina didn't seem impressed. She gave a dismissive smick. "Wow, that's such a textbook answer! Such a boring answer, don't you think?"

Clara blinked, surprised, and her brows furrowed slightly. So, she wasn't overthinking. Nina clearly didn't like her.

Before Clara could say anything, Aamu stood, raising his glass. "I want to thank all of you young folks for coming out here and supporting our country's education system. And a special welcome to Ms. Salford-uur students will be in good hands with all of you." Everyone lifted their classes in response,

Clara, when didn't handle adrohol well, hesitated briefly before taking it.

"Thank you," she numired.

stinctively reached for a glass of juice. But Ryan had already poured her a glass of wine and handed it over with a smile. She

"You're welcome, "Ryan said, his eyes lingering onlier delicate features. His lips curled into a satisfied smile. "Don't worry about drinking. Erhan and I drove, so we're not driniding; much. We'll make sure you get boine safely "

Nina's expression darkened at yan's obvious attentiveness. Herdingers curled into lists under the table as she fought to contain her jealousy.

forcing a sanile, she said sharply, "Everyone else is drinking. What's wrong, Ms. Salford? Do you not like our wine, or do you just think it's beneath you to join in?

du were tainly veiled bartis.

Taken aback, Clara wan't sure what the had done to provoke such hostility, She opened her mouth to respond, but Ryan shot Nina a waming glare.noveldrama

"rana," he said tämily, "Enough"

Nina bit leer lip, her resentment clean, but she fell silent

Not wanting to create any tension on her first day, Clara raised her glass and took a couple of sips.

Ryan, clearly pleased, tried to pour her another glass, but Ethan noticed the thali creeping up Clara's cheeks and quickly stepped in.

"That's enough," Ethan said, placing a hand on Ryan's anto stop him "She's already had a couple. No need to overdo it."