Tiffany's ears burned as waves of shrieks surrounded her. She shot Vincent a glare before covering her ears in feigned ignorance.

The final note of "Love You for Ten Thousand Years" faded. Vincent strode toward Tiffany and dropped to one knee, extending the microphone. "Sweetie, let me protect you forever. Will you?"

Rose petals formed a heart around them—a scene straight out of every girl's fantasy. Several female classmates dabbed at their eyes, while others stomped their feet in excitement.

"I will!" Lily suddenly shrieked. Once the class belle, she'd been overshadowed since Tiffany's transfer. Jealousy coiled like a venomous serpent in her chest as she watched the public proposal unfold.

Vincent ignored her. When Tiffany remained silent, he pulled a crumpled note from his pocket.

"Classmates, my sweetheart is shy." He cleared his throat under the spotlight. "So I'll recite a modern poem to bare my heart!"

"Oh my god, so romantic!"

"I wish someone would confess to me like this!"

Vincent straightened his posture under their expectant gazes. "Tiffany, you're the brightest star in my sky. If you love singing, I'll sing until my voice gives out. If you crave snacks, I'll empty every supermarket. Even if you become as round as a piglet, I'll—"

Peals of laughter erupted. Even the usually stoic Ethan turned away.

What kind of poem was this?

It got worse. Lines like "I'll stay even if you're disfigured or disabled" followed. Vincent's knuckles whitened around the note as mocking laughter surrounded him.

He'd envisioned himself as a fairytale prince. Now he was the punchline. The humiliation ignited his fury.

"Shut the hell up!" Vincent roared, smashing the microphone before storming offstage. He seized bodyguard Hank by the collar. "This is the romantic poem you found?"

Hank looked sheepish. With only a middle school education, he'd just Googled something random.

Vincent became an unhinged beast, raining punches on Hank. After a dozen blows, Hank collapsed, blood streaming down his face.

"Useless trash! Get lost!" Vincent delivered a final kick.

The carefully planned confession had devolved into farce. Tiffany tugged Ethan's sleeve. "Ethan, this lunatic's lost it. Let's go."

Vincent lunged for her. "Don't leave! Save my face!"

Ethan moved like lightning, swatting his wrist away.

"You're dead!" Vincent swung wildly.

"Scram." Ethan's counterpunch connected with his chest first.

Vincent flew backward, caught by two gray-clad men. "Easton, Weston—cripple him!"

"Young Master, the family head's orders..." They hesitated.

Vincent's face darkened. Lily rushed over in stilettos. "Vincent, let me take you to the hospital!"

She whirled on Ethan. "You pathetic freeloader! How dare you hit someone?"

"Yeah! Shameless!" her clique chimed in.

Tiffany opened her mouth to retort, but Ethan gently restrained her.