Chapter 2

Julian Hamp ran back to the classroom, found a seat by the window, and leaned his head on the desk. Tears finally streamed down his face. His shoulders trembled slightly as memories of Samuel Girard protecting Elise Walker, along with his cold words of “making a fuss for no reason,” kept playing in his mind. His heart ached as if it were being cut with a knife.

She couldn’t understand how Samuel Girard, the boy who would save candies for her, protect her from bullies, and promise to marry her when they grew up, could change so much once they started high school. Were all those promises just childish games from their childhood after all?

“Hey, are you okay?” A gentle voice spoke beside him. Julian Hamp raised his head, looking at the boy before him with tearful eyes. The boy was tall, wearing the same school uniform as Samuel Girard. He had handsome features, but also a somewhat cool and distant demeanor, exuding an air of being unapproachable.

Julian Hamp wiped away his tears and sniffled, his tone slightly impatient: “I’m fine. You don’t need to worry about me.”

But the boy didn’t leave. Instead, he pulled a chair over and sat down beside her. A faint, almost mocking smile appeared on his lips. “I saw everything. That Samuel Girard was way too harsh on you. He was in the wrong, yet he still lost his temper with you.”

Julian Hamp paused for a moment, then looked up at him. “You know us?”

“My name is Ezra Brandon. I used to be the president of the school’s student council,” the boy introduced himself. His gaze fell on Julian Hamp’s reddened eyes, and his tone softened slightly. “I not only know you guys, but I’m also aware of the promise you and Samuel Girard made to each other. You two were engaged as children, weren’t you?”

Julian Hamp’s heart tightened as he watched him warily. “What do you want? How do you know these things?” She instinctively thought that Ezra Brandon was there to mock her. After all, what Samuel Girard had done on campus that day was more than enough to make her the laughingstock of everyone.

Ezra Brandon smiled and shook his head. “Don’t be nervous. I have no ill intentions. On the contrary, I’m here to help you.”

“Help me?” Julian Hamp sneered, his eyes filled with mockery. “How exactly can you help me? Samuel Girard has his eyes set on Elenice Walker right now. He doesn’t even remember me anymore.”

“Just Elenore Walker. If you want, I can help you get her away from Samuel Gerard.” Ezra Brandon spoke with confidence, a sly glint in his eyes. “I can’t stand Samuel Gerard’s arrogant attitude. He has your heart, yet he doesn’t appreciate it. He even allows other girls to pursue him.”

Julian Hamp’s heart stirred violently. She looked at Ezra Brandon, hesitating. She really wanted to get Elenore Walker out of the way and to make Samuel Girard remember her again. But she was also afraid that Ezra Brandon might have ulterior motives. After all, she didn’t know Ezra Brandon at all, and he had no reason to help her without a reason.

Seeming to understand her thoughts, Ezra Brandon added, “There’s another reason why I’m helping you—I like you. I’ve liked you since the first time I saw your photo. I just never had the chance to get to know you. Now, I don’t want to see you get hurt.”

Julian Hamp’s cheeks turned slightly red, and her gaze became evasive. Her mind was completely occupied by Samuel Girard; she had no interest in thinking about any other boys. Yet, Ezra Brandon’s words gave her a glimmer of hope. She bit her lip and looked up at Ezra Brandon. “Can you really help me? You won’t hurt Samuel Girard, will you?”

“Don’t worry, I’ll only deal with Elenice Walkerman. I won’t hurt Samuel Girard,” said Ezra Brandon with a smile. “The school is about to hold a drama competition. Samuel Girard and Elenice Walkerman will definitely participate together. That’s our chance.”

Julian Hamp nodded. The resentment and anger in her heart were gradually replaced by a sense of anticipation. She had no idea that what Ezra Brandon called “helping” was actually a carefully orchestrated scheme. She was merely a pawn in Ezra Brandon’s plan to get revenge on Samuel Girard.

On the other hand, Samuel Girard and Elise Walkerman entered the classroom together, drawing many people’s attention. Elise Walkerman deliberately held Samuel Girard’s arm, wearing a smug smile on her face, as if to declare to everyone that Samuel Girard belonged to her.

Samuel Girard frowned and tried to pull his hand away, but Elise Walkerman held onto him tightly. “Cousin, please don’t push me away. Otherwise, those girls will surround you again. I won’t be able to help you then.”

“Cousin?” Samuel Girard paused for a moment, then lowered his voice. “Speak more quietly. Don’t let anyone know our relationship.”

Elenice Walker stuck out her tongue and nodded. “I know, cousin. But was that girl really your sister? It seems like she feels something special for you.”

Samuel Girard’s gaze darkened, his tone complicated. “She isn’t my sister. She’s someone I knew when I was a child. There were some misunderstandings between us.”

“A misunderstanding?” Elenice Walkerman smiled and didn’t ask any further. She already knew about the agreement between Julian Hamp and Samuel Gerard. She had come to St. Ing’s High School on purpose, to test just how important Julian Hamp was in Samuel Gerard’s heart. She had liked Samuel Gerard for many years. How could she possibly stand by and let Julian Hamp take him away from her?

Soon, the school’s opening ceremony was held as scheduled. Samuel Girard, thanks to his excellent academic performance, became the top student in the school. He was praised in front of everyone by the principal, instantly becoming a prominent figure in the school. Moreover, in the subsequent student council elections, Samuel Girard, with his outstanding organizational and problem-solving skills, was elected president of the student council, replacing Ezra Brandon in that role.

When the news reached Julian Hamp’s ears, he was discussing plans to deal with Elenice Walker with Ezra Brandon. Ezra Brandon’s expression darkened instantly, a sinister glint appearing in his eyes. His tone also grew colder: “That Samuel Girard seems to be getting more and more arrogant. It seems we need to speed up our plans.”

Julian Hamp glanced at Ezra Brandon’s gloomy expression and felt a hint of unease. Still, he nodded. “Alright, I’ll do whatever you say. As long as I can get Elenice Walker out of the way and make Samuel Girard remember me, I’m willing to do anything.”

Ezra Brandon looked at her, a barely noticeable cold smile playing on his lips. He gently patted her shoulder. “Don’t worry, I’ll definitely help you. There’s still a week left until the play competition. By then, I’ll make Elenice Walkerman look foolish in front of everyone, and Samuel Girard will see her true colors.”

What Julian Hamp didn’t know was that Ezra Brandon’s plans were far more sinister than she could imagine. He didn’t just want to embarrass Elenice Walkerman; he also wanted to bring Samuel Girard’s reputation down and take back everything that belonged to him. And this play competition would serve as the beginning of his revenge plan.

Meanwhile, Samuel Girard was rehearsing a play with Elise Walkerman. They chose the classic story of Cinderella. Samuel Girard played the prince, while Elise Walkerman played Cinderella. During rehearsals, Samuel Girard was often distracted, his mind constantly reliving the scene of Julian Hamp running away. He felt filled with guilt.

“Cousin, what’s wrong?” Elenice Walkerman noticed that something was off with him. She stopped what she was doing and looked at him. “Is there something on your mind?”

Samuel Girard shook his head and forced a smile. “It’s nothing. I’m just too tired lately. Let’s keep practicing. We must win first place and bring honor to our school.”

Elenore Walker nodded, but a hint of doubt flashed in her eyes. She could tell that Samuel Girard’s mind wasn’t at all on the rehearsal. All he had in mind was that girl, Julianne Hamp. No, she absolutely couldn’t let Julianne Hamp get another chance to be with Samuel Girard.

A battle for Samuel Gerard has quietly begun. Julian Hamp thought he’d found a ally, not realizing he’d stepped into someone else’s trap. Samuel Gerard felt guilty, unaware that a greater crisis was approaching. Elenore Walker moved carefully, determined to take Samuel Gerard from him. Meanwhile, Ezra Brandon sneered in the shadows, waiting for the day to close the deal. The stage of the play competition will become a battlefield for everyone. But who will laugh last?