Seeing Adrian York lose his composure because of her disfigured face, Summer Watson's lips curved into a mocking smile.That smile only made her look even uglier.
Adrian silently took a step back, as if he wanted to get as far away as possible from the monster in front of him.
When Summer noticed his movement, a sudden pain pierced through her heart.She knew — that was the original owner's body reacting to Adrian.After all, he was the man the original Summer had truly loved for two years.
"Forget it, I'm in a hurry. Let's just say what we need to say here," Adrian said, his eyes full of wariness as he observed Summer — as if ready to bolt if she took a single step closer.
Summer simply stood still, quiet and unmoving.
Seeing that she wasn't going to do anything crazy, Adrian finally relaxed a little.He said, "I'm still young, and my studies are demanding..."
When he mentioned his studies, a faint trace of arrogance naturally appeared on his face.
Adrian had a pair of light blue eyes, slightly upturned like peach blossoms, and a perfectly shaped, handsome nose — the kind of face one might model from.With such outstanding looks, coupled with his mysterious family background and his status as both a Beast Tamer and a student of the Divine Academy, he was indeed someone who stood high above his peers.
When he had chased Summer before, Adrian had always restrained his arrogance just to make the beauty smile.But now that the tables had turned, his noble and condescending attitude returned in full.
"You know I've just been admitted to the Divine Academy," he continued. "The studies there are intense. I'm busy cultivating every day — I really don't have time for a relationship..."
He cast her a subtle glance, knowing she would understand his meaning.
"Summer, our engagement... let's just call it off."
Call it off.
Summer felt a sharp sting in her chest. She curled her lips in disdain, her voice icy as she said,"Adrian, when you pursued me, it was grand and extravagant — everyone in the city knew about it. Back then, you were oh so patient. And now, one simple 'call it off,' and that's it?"
"Looks like Young Master Adrian's love isn't worth much after all."
Her cold ridicule made Adrian's handsome face twist with a dark, unpleasant expression.
It was true he had once liked Summer, but after entering the Divine Academy, he met many beautiful and talented girls.Only then did he realize that aside from her looks, Summer had nothing else to offer.A shallow vase — unworthy to stand beside him.
And now, that vase had turned into trash.
With that thought, even the little pity Adrian had left vanished completely.
"Summer, don't use that sarcastic tone with me," he sneered."I'm the young master of the York family, a Beast Tamer, and now a student of the Divine Academy! Between you and me lies a gulf as wide as heaven and earth. To be honest — someone like you doesn't deserve to stand beside me!"
Those words pierced Summer's heart like a dagger.
After being humiliated repeatedly by the same man, Summer finally snapped.
"You said I'm not worthy of you?" she asked calmly, staring at Adrian for a long moment — and then suddenly, she laughed, short and cold.
"Then let me make this clear — I, Summer Watson, will enter the Divine Academy next year and challenge you! If I win, you'll kneel before me and apologize for your arrogance and prejudice today. If I lose, I'll live humbly, tail between my legs, and walk the other way whenever I see you!"
Hearing her bold declaration, Adrian froze on the spot.
He looked down at the girl's disfigured face and into those cool hazel eyes — and for some strange reason, his heart trembled.
But then he remembered — Summer was already eighteen, long past the awakening age.She was just an ordinary human. She could never enter the Divine Academy.
Relaxing, Adrian smirked. "Fine. I'll be waiting for that day."
Not wanting to waste another second, he turned to leave — only to hear Summer call out, "Wait!"
Adrian stopped, frowning impatiently. "What, are you regretting it already?"
When he turned back, he saw Summer draping a black silk scarf across her face, hiding her hideous scars, leaving only a pair of narrow, enchanting eyes visible.
For a brief moment, he was dazed.Even with only her eyes showing, she was still breathtaking.
But then he reminded himself that beneath that scarf was a monster — and his coldness quickly returned."What are you doing?"
"Hold on," Summer said calmly. "I'm writing this down. You'll sign it before you go."
She wasn't trying to back out — she just didn't trust him not to.
She raised her umbrella and looked toward the long corridor in the garden.There, under the after-rain sunlight, stood a man dressed in a dark shirt.The golden light fell on his tall, slender figure, stretching his shadow across the ground until it reached her feet.
She didn't know how long he had been standing there, or how much he had heard.
When she looked his way, Adrian turned too — and when he saw the man, his jaw dropped.
Matthew Done?! What is he doing here?!
Summer didn't pay attention to his shock. Her gaze had caught the pen clipped to the man's chest, and she stepped lightly forward, following his shadow toward him.
Up close, she realized just how tall he was — she had to look up to meet his eyes.
"Sir," she said softly, "may I borrow your pen for a moment?"
Matthew lowered his gaze, sweeping a cool glance at her.Through the black veil, he could faintly see the scars beneath, but his expression remained unreadable.Silently, he removed the pen from his pocket and handed it to her.
"Thank you," Summer said politely.
She took out a piece of white paper, laid it flat on the stone bench beneath the corridor, crouched down, and swiftly wrote:
If York wins, Watson shall keep three paces' distance at all times;If Watson wins, York must kneel and admit his fault.
Hey...Unlucky to have met you in three lifetimes.Now that I've woken up, I'll kick you to the curb.When we meet again at the Divine Academy next year,I, your lady, will beat the hell out of you.