Chapter 65 Receiving Punishment

Chapter 65 Receiving Punishment

Evelyn's POV

"I'm not saying I don't trust you, and I really shouldn't have kept things from you."

Kane’s entire frame locked up. He locked eyes with me for a heartbeat before pulling me roughly into his arms, crushing me against him in a tight embrace.

I pushed him gently, making him let go.

"Evelyn..."

I took a deep breath, calmed my racing heartbeat, and looked into his eyes to make things clear.

"Kane, no matter what happens between us in the future, I don't want you doing this again!"

Kane’s eyes darkened and he frowned, looking ready to argue.

I reached out and pressed a finger to his lips, silencing him.

"If one day the academy expels you, or locks you up, what am I supposed to do?"

Kane fell silent.

Neither of us would budge on certain things. We probably just needed some time apart to cool down.

I was about to tell him to leave when someone hammered on the door.

Kane's face instantly darkened.

He moved me behind him, strode to the door, and yanked it open.

Outside stood Maggie McGonagall, the academy’s disciplinarian who didn't teach classes.

She wore a deep red robe and a stern expression, holding a wax-sealed letter.

"Kane."

Maggie's voice was cold as ice. "Given that you openly attacked someone in the student cafeteria, causing a terrible impact, and we've received multiple complaints about you, the academy has held an emergency discussion and decided on the following punishment."

"Suspended for one week."

"During this time, you're restricted to your dorm room. You're forbidden from stepping outside the dorm building, forbidden from attending any classes or social activities."

"If you violate this, you'll face more serious consequences, even expulsion."

With that, she held the letter out to Kane.

The air seemed to freeze.

I stood behind Kane, my heart clenching hard.

Suspended? And confined?

"This is your decision?"

Kane didn't take the letter. He just looked coldly at Maggie, a mocking smile playing at his lips. "Robert secretly photographs girls, spreads rumors, slanders students, and you turn a blind eye. I break one of his hands, and you suspend me?"

"Kane, watch your tone."

Maggie frowned. "The academy will investigate Robert's matter. But your violent behavior is a fact, and the academy absolutely won't tolerate any form of private justice."

Kane’s cold laugh made Maggie flinch back.

"If this is what you call justice, then I don't care."

"Suspended? Confined?"

He snatched the letter and, without looking, crushed it into a ball and hurled it onto the floor outside.

"Whatever."

He turned around, his back to Maggie, his tone full of disdain. "Good timing anyway. I was getting bored of those classes."

Maggie looked at the crumpled paper on the floor, her face dark.

"Kane, you better hope you can behave yourself this week. Otherwise, next time it won't be me coming."

With that, she turned and strode away.

"Bang!" Kane slammed the door.

He pulled me to the bed, sat down, and patted the spot next to him. "Come here."

I hesitated, but still walked over and sat beside him.

"Actually..."

He pulled out that white velvet box from his pocket and handed it to me. "I was planning to give this to you at dinner. Now... the timing's not great, but I still want you to have it!"

I froze.

Kane met my gaze, his eyes flickering with a mix of hope and—was that nervousness?

The man who didn't flinch when he broke a wrist in the cafeteria was now actually nervous about a gift?

I took a deep breath and gently opened the box.

I gasped. Inside lay a pair of delicate earrings.

Tiny silver wings, their edges shimmering with small green diamonds, caught the light and sparkled.

Wings—to commemorate our first flight together today.

"Wings represent freedom."

"I want to give you 'freedom,' but I also want to tell you that your freedom, I hope, is under my wings."

He watched me, his gaze warm with affection and a faint, sharp edge of possessiveness.

I stared at the exquisite earrings.

Seeing my silence, panic flashed in Kane's eyes. "Evelyn, don't you like them?"

I snapped back to reality and forced a smile. "I love them. Really, they're beautiful."

"That's good."

Kane breathed a sigh of relief, a smile appearing on his face.

I could tell he wanted to help me put them on, but I dodged slightly, avoiding his hand. "Kane, maybe we need to give each other some time to cool off."

I knew saying this was cruel, and I could even imagine his feelings when he picked out this gift to give me.

But I also knew this matter wouldn't pass so easily in my heart.

If we didn't fix this, it would always haunt us and eventually spark a bigger conflict.

"Okay, I understand!"

There was clear reluctance in Kane's eyes, but he didn't say anything more. He stared at me for a while before getting up to leave.

I watched Kane's retreating figure. It would be a lie to say my heart didn't ache, but I had to do this.

It wasn't until I heard the door close that I realized I actually didn't want Kane to leave.

I held the earrings and walked to where I kept my jewelry, looking at the fire opal jewelry Kane had given me before, along with the brooch and bracelet, and now this gift.

I knew he was very thoughtful in how he treated me, but if he was so considerate, why did he still do what he did today despite my wishes? What was he really thinking?

How should I face Kane tomorrow morning? Should I wear these earrings? If I wear them, will he think I've given in?

I really couldn't be harsh with him. Even asking him to go back tonight was because I was afraid one more second and I'd forgive him. My rational mind wouldn't allow me to do that, so I had to make him return to his own room first.

My mind was too chaotic. To stop overthinking, I didn't even change my clothes and just crawled under the covers. Maybe if I fell asleep, I'd have an answer by tomorrow morning.