The air in the university courtyard was electric, buzzing with whispers as Winter Kingsley stumbled back from the unexpected blow. His long dark hair fell over his face as he steadied himself, his piercing blue eyes narrowing in cold fury. He raised a hand to his lips and swiped at the blood trickling from the corner, the metallic taste sharp against his tongue. A small cut inside his cheek ached, but he ignored the pain.
Luca and Marco, were already storming forward, their faces contorted in rage.
"WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?!" Marco roared, fists clenched. Luca looked ready to pounce, his jaw tight with unrestrained fury.
But Winter raised a hand, his fingers brushing their shoulders. "Stop," he commanded, his voice low but firm.
The pair halted reluctantly, glaring daggers at the man who had dared to punch Winter Kingsley. Winter, however, locked eyes with his assailant.
The guy was tall, perhaps even taller than Winter, broad shouldered, and undeniably handsome. His toned, athletic physique was visible even beneath his simple attire, an oversized t-shirt and jeans. Yet something about him felt... unpolished. His slightly disheveled hair and bookish demeanor hinted at an introverted personality, but the intensity in his gaze spoke volumes.
Winter's smirk returned, though his cheek throbbed. He tilted his head slightly, curiosity flickering in his eyes. "I've never seen you before," he murmured, almost to himself.
Meanwhile, the courtyard was frozen in stunned silence. The students who had gathered to watch Winter's spat with Lucia were now utterly dumbfounded. No one had ever dared to lay a finger on Winter Kingsley, the untouchable. Yet this stranger had walked in and done the unthinkable.
The guy, however, wasn't paying attention to Winter anymore. He turned to Lucia, who stood nearby, pale and wide eyed. "Are you okay?" he asked gently, his voice calm but firm.
Lucia didn't respond. Her shock was palpable, someone had punched Winter. For her.
Winter chuckled softly, breaking the tense silence. His laugh was low, laced with sarcasm, and it drew everyone's attention back to him. "So... you want to play the hero, huh?" he asked, wiping the remaining blood from the corner of his lip. His blue eyes glittered with amusement, but his tone was venomous. "Let me remind you, though saving a bitch doesn't make you a SAINT."
The guy stiffened, and his gaze snapped back to Winter. His expression hardened. "Enough," he said coldly. His voice cut through the air like a blade.
Winter's smirk widened, delighted by the reaction. "Oh? You've got morals now?"
The guy's jaw clenched. "You can't talk about a woman like that. No matter what she's done, you have no right to humiliate her."
That struck a nerve with Luca and Marco, who had been struggling to hold back. Luca took a step forward, his voice boiling with anger. "Who the hell do you think you are, huh? Do you even know who you just punched?"
"You're gonna regret this," Marco snarled, taking a menacing step closer.
But Winter's hand on their shoulders stopped them again. He was watching the stranger carefully, his smirk never wavering. "Relax, boys," Winter said smoothly. "Let's hear him out. Our... hero seems passionate."
The guy';s fists were clenched tightly at his sides, but he didn't back down. Winter leaned forward slightly, as if examining him. "Tell me," he said, his voice dropping to a mocking whisper, "are you doing all this just to get inside this slut's pant?"
That hit a nerve. The guy's eyes blazed with anger, and he took a step closer. "Stop humiliating her infront of everyone," he shot back, his voice icy. "No matter who you are, you don't get to treat anyone like this... especially a woman. It's because of people like you that others think it's okay to look down on her. And that's not right."
Winter's smirk faltered slightly, and his blue eyes darkened. He straightened, his voice sharp. "And what about me?" he said. "What about her humiliating me? Or when she crossed the line by bringing up my parents? Or when she-"
The guy cut him off with sharp, angry gesture. "Enough. I said enough." His voice was commanding now, and even Winter could sense the weight behind it. "We don't disrespect women, no matter the circumstances. Not in front of people, not alone. That's how we treat people.
With respect."
His voice softened, but the authority never left. "No one deserves to be humiliated. You might think she deserves it, but I don't care about that. Respect is key, and no one... not even you... has the right to tear someone down like that."
Winter's voice was cold now, devoid of sarcasm. "What about the fact she cheated on me? What about when she crossed the line and dragged my family matter into this?"
The courtyard went completely silent. The stranger didn't reply, but his gaze softened slightly.
"Just because she is a woman and I am a man, does she have the right to say anything to me?" Winter took a step forward, his eyes locked onto the guy's. "Go on, tell me. Preach to me about respect. I'm fuckin' dying to hear it..."
For a moment, the guy didn't respond. The intensity between them crackled like a live wire. Finally, the guy spoke, his voice calm but firm. "You've said enough. What she did might've been wrong, but you shouldn't humiliate her. That's how you rise above, not by stooping to her level."
Winter's patience snapped. His fists clenched at his sides, his jaw tightening.
Before he could respond, a familiar voice interrupted.
"What is going on here?"
Everyone turned to see Professor Lennox striding into the courtyard, his sharp eyes scanning the scene. His gaze lingered on Winter, then flicked to the other guy.
The guy bowed slightly. "Nothing, sir," he said quietly. Without another word, he turned and walked away, leaving Winter staring at his retreating back.
Lucia, sensing the danger of staying any longer, slipped away as well, her face pale.
Professor Lennox looked at Winter, "What was happening here?" he asked, his voice stern but not unkind. He was well aware of Winter's reputation, and the blood on the corner of Winter's lips caught his attention immediately.
Winter, ever the charming student, put on a nonchalant smile. "Just a little misunderstanding, professor," he said, wiping the blood away with the back of his hand. "Nothing to worry about."
The professor patted Winter's back gently, a gesture that some would find strange considering the level of respect that Winter commanded within the university.
"You should go get that checked out," the professor suggested, his tone softening. "Make sure it doesn't get infected."
Winter chuckled, shaking his head. "I'm fine, professor. Really."
But the professor, sensing the situation, wasn't about to let it slide. He patted Winter's shoulder once more, his expression one of both concern and authority. "Go to the doctor," he insisted. "I won't hear of it otherwise."
The gesture, though small, spoke volumes. Professor Lennox was well aware of Winter's status, his parents were one of the university's biggest donors. It wasn't just about protecting the reputation of a student, it was about ensuring that Winter was treated with the care and respect due to someone his standing.
Winter sighed, knowing there was no use in arguing further. "Fine, fine. I'll go," he said, though his tone was more playful than serious.
"Very well," Professor Lennox said, walking away.
As soon as the professor was out of earshot, Luca and Marco exploded.
"You should've let us handle that bastard!" Marco snapped, his face was red with frustration.
"Yeah, he wouldn't have walked away so smug if we'd taught him a lesson," Luca growled.
Winter smirked, his gaze still lingering on the path the guy had taken. "Calm down, guys," he said lightly. "I don't need you fighting my battles."
"But, Winter-" Marco began.
"Just find out who he is," Winter interrupted, his tone icy.
Luca and Marco exchanged glances, then nodded.
As they headed to their class, Winter's mind lingered on the stranger. He had never met anyone who had the audacity to challenge him like that. There was something about the guy, something different. And Winter hated not knowing.For the first time in a long time, someone had stood up to him. And Winter Kingsley wasn't sure how he felt about it.
The courtyard slowly began to empty as students returned to their own business, whispering amongst themselves. The incident would no doubt be the topic of conversation for days to come.