Kagami continued to look at Alya, who was holding Her phone and constantly searching for the best angle to film the intense battle outside the window, Her clear voice carrying a hint of confusion: "Why are you still filming? I remember last time, Jaden didn't let you film because he was worried you'd be in danger."
"Well..." Before Alya could think of how to answer, a sweet and understanding voice sounded beside them.
Lila had walked over at some point. She turned slightly and, in a soft tone, answered the question for Alya: "Kagami, I think you should also know that Gabriel is the top fashion designer in all of Paris, and a well-known celebrity.
He has always disliked being in the public eye, and naturally, he doesn't want his movements to be reported too much. What's more..."
Her voice dropped even lower, as if she was discussing a forbidden topic: "He was also dark transformed by Hawk Moth.
If such news were to be sensationalized by unscrupulous media, it might not affect Gabriel's status, but for Alya, it could be a real threat.
After all, you know what reporters are like.
And Alya is still just a student.
Jaden not letting Her film was entirely out of good intentions; he was protecting Her."
After speaking, she even turned and looked at Alya with an envious gaze: "I really envy you Alya, to have such a thoughtful classmate looking out for you."
These words were impeccable, explaining Jaden's actions and portraying him as a considerate protector, while also subtly currying favor with Alya.
Kagami's eyes showed a look of sudden understanding after listening.
So that's how it was.
Jaden's actions, it turned out, concealed such a layer of thoughtful protection.
Alya hadn't expected Lila to come to Her rescue. Although she had figured it out herself afterward, hearing it from Lila now felt completely different.
Her good impression of Lila unconsciously increased by a few points.
"I... I really wish I could get along with my classmates like this," Lila said, seeing that Her words had worked. She struck while the iron was hot, showing a somewhat lonely and wronged expression.
"But, I don't know why, everyone seems to dislike me."
"It's not that they don't like you," Alya quickly explained. She patted Lila's shoulder, "It's just... they're just not used to it yet.
It's okay, I'll introduce Marinette to you later, and you'll fit right in with us very quickly!"
"Really? That's great! Thank you Alya!" Lila immediately showed an expression of immense joy.
"It's nothing." Alya waved Her hand, then picked up Her phone again, continuing Her work as a "war correspondent."
Kagami's gaze passed over them, looking towards the other side again.
Nathan and Marc were intently watching the battle outside the window, one writing furiously, the other wielding a paintbrush.
And Jaden, at some point, had found a chair and was leisurely sitting to one side, his face still maintaining that calm and gentle expression,
As if the fierce battle outside, enough to shake all of Paris, was to him merely an interesting afternoon drama.
He seemed to sense something, turned his head, and met Kagami's gaze.
He smiled slightly at Her, that smile clean and open.
Kagami's cheeks flushed slightly for a moment. She hastily nodded at him in response,
Then quickly turned back, refocusing Her attention on the battle outside the window.
Meanwhile, at the other end of the hall, Juleka had been watching from the perspective of their quartet.
She looked back and saw Jaden sitting there idly by himself. She immediately nudged Rose beside Her with Her elbow.
"Hmm? What's wrong, Juleka?" Rose asked, puzzled.
Juleka didn't speak, but just pointed in Jaden's direction with Her eyes, then timidly whispered in a voice so low that only the two of them could hear: "Th-there..."
Rose followed Her gaze and immediately understood. She also lowered Her voice, excitedly saying: "Oh! Jaden is over there alone! This might be a good opportunity for Alix!"
She nodded, then turned to Alix, who was still swaying back and forth, imitating Cat Noir's movements, and said: "Alix! Alix!"
"What is it?" Alix stopped moving and turned around.
Rose also mimicked Juleka, turning and pointing towards Jaden.
Alix's gaze swept over, and she immediately understood. Her cheeks uncontrollably warmed, and Her heart pounded like a little rabbit.
Under the encouraging and expectant gazes of Mylène, Juleka, and Rose, Alix took a deep breath, as if she were about to participate in the most important competition,
And, with somewhat stiff steps, walked towards Jaden.
At the same time, Chloé and Sabrina, hidden in a luxurious reception room on the second floor, were also holding their own "strategy meeting."
Chloé took out Her phone, skillfully opened the encrypted chat software, and sent a message to the contact noted as "H.M."
Sabrina, beside Her, uncomfortably moved Her wrist.
That cold box had been on Her hand like a torture device for some time, and she felt Her arm was starting to lose circulation.
"Chloé... when can we take this box off... I'm feeling more and more uncomfortable."
"Wait a little longer!" Chloé said without lifting Her head.
She clattered out another line of text and sent it: [Hey! Hawk Moth! Next time you release an Akumatized Person, can you give us a heads-up? Don't you know your Queen is still here?!]
Meanwhile, in his lair, Gabriel was observing the battle between Cat Noir and Darkblade with interest through a mental link.
His phone, placed to the side, vibrated. He picked it up and saw it was a message from the spoiled mayor's daughter.
He frowned and replied: [What is it, Queen? Shouldn't you be at school?]
Chloé immediately replied: [There's an event today, our whole class is at the City Hall!]
Upon seeing this message, Gabriel realized something was wrong.
He had been so focused on giving Darkblade instructions via the mental link to "teach that Cat Noir a good lesson" that he hadn't noticed his son and his entire class were actually in the battle zone.
However, luckily, Cat Noir and Ladybug were both outside, and Darkblade hadn't rushed into the hall, so Adrien was safe.
He adjusted his wording and continued to reply as "Hawk Moth": [Oh, my most esteemed Queen, the actions of Akumatized Person are always full of uncertainty. I was unaware that you happened to be here today.
For this, I deeply apologize. If I had known, I would have chosen a more... elegant method.]
Seeing Hawk Moth lower his stance and apologize, Chloé's anger subsided a bit.
She temporarily forgave his "mistake" this time, then immediately cut to the topic she truly cared about: [How are things going with Peacock? I'm getting a bit impatient.
Also, that Peacock hasn't appeared since last time. Isn't he your partner?
How come he doesn't act like a big villain at all? Don't you want their miraculous?]
Looking at this barrage of questions, Gabriel revealed a cold sneer in the shadows that no one noticed.
Taking their miraculous now? It wouldn't be very useful anymore.
The only reason he was still playing this Akumatization game with them was to prevent those two little ones and the Guardian behind them from noticing anything, merely as a precaution.
His fingers tapped on the screen, continuing to prevaricate: [Peacock is already prepared, rest assured, my Queen. When the time is right, he will naturally make his move.]
As for Chloé's request to be dark transformed herself, he found another excuse to brush it off: [You need a most perfect moment to bloom. Please wait a little longer with patience.]
Gabriel knew very well that Chloé was nothing more than a pawn he used to stir up the situation.
Once she was truly dark transformed, Her target would definitely be Jaden. A dark transformed Chloé wasn't terrifying, but a Jaden dark transformed by Her influence was the most terrifying.
"This Hawk Moth, he's so slow at getting things done!" Chloé complained impatiently, temporarily cutting off contact with Hawk Moth.
However, thinking of the wonderful future she envisioned, a dreamy smile appeared on Her face again.
She fantasized that when she and Jaden were both dark transformed, he would build Her the most eye-catching, magnificent palace in the world,
And their "coronation ceremony" would be broadcast live worldwide, allowing everyone to witness Her glory... "Chloé..." Sabrina, beside Her, cautiously called Her name.
"What is it?!" Chloé, whose wonderful fantasy had been interrupted, roared impatiently.
Sabrina raised Her locked hand, Her face pale from lack of blood circulation. "My hand... it feels numb."
"It's nothing major." Chloé said dismissively.
"Once Ladybug and Cat Noir deal with that Akumatized Person outside, Her 'Miraculous Restoration' will naturally fix everything."
"But... Chloé..." Sabrina said, Her voice on the verge of tears, "This box... wasn't affected by the Akumatized Person. It was me... I touched the mechanism myself and got locked in..."
"Then let's go." Chloé finally realized the seriousness of the problem.
She walked to the door, looked left and right, confirmed that there was no one in the corridor, then took Sabrina downstairs, intending to find Marinette to solve the problem.
However, when they returned to the hall, they found that Marinette was not with Alya at all.
"Where did that baker girl run off to?" Chloé looked around, annoyed.
Immediately, Her gaze fixed on a spot not far away.
She saw Alix talking to Jaden. A few minutes later, Alix, with an excited smile on Her face, jogged back to Mylène and the others, happily chatting with them.
Chloé's expression was unpredictable, but she quickly adjusted it, putting on a sweet and lovely smile, and walked towards Jaden.
"Jaden," she asked in a delicate voice, "What did Alix say to you just now? She looks so happy."
"Nothing," Jaden replied with a smile, "Alix just confirmed with me about Her competition with Kim this weekend, asking if I would go cheer Her on."
"Oh, so that's what it was..." Chloé's hanging heart finally relaxed upon hearing that it was only about the competition.
She almost thought Alix was also planning to find Jaden for some "alone time" over the weekend.
"By the way," Jaden's gaze turned to Sabrina beside Chloé, with a hint of concern in his eyes, "Sabrina, what's wrong? You look a bit pale, are you sick?"
"I... I..." Sabrina stammered, looking at Chloé for help, not knowing how to explain.
Seeing Jaden ask about Sabrina, Chloé quickly stepped forward, blocking his view, and immediately put on a worried expression for Her friend: "Oh, don't even mention it.
You know Sabrina isn't well. She's just too tired, I need to take Her to rest quickly."
After speaking, she pushed Sabrina without explanation and hurried away from there.
She couldn't let Jaden discover that Sabrina's hand was locked in the box, otherwise, how would she explain it later? Wouldn't everything she had done be exposed?