University — Morning
The Kwong Rolls Royce rolls in like it owns the road.
Students are already scattered near the main block, pretending not to stare while staring anyway.
Ling is leaning against the hood before the engine even cools. One boot up. Blazer open. Sleeves rolled. Calm dominance radiating without effort.
A group of boys nearby laugh a little too loud.
Ling tilts her head. "You all this energetic every morning," she says mildly, "or am I the entertainment today?"
One of them swallows. "N-no, Captain. Just—talking."
Ling smiles without warmth. "Talk quieter."
They scatter.
Rina hops out of the passenger seat, sunglasses on, grin wicked. "You traumatized them before classes even started. Proud of you."
Ling hums. "Efficiency."
Rina leans beside her, scanning the entrance. "So where's she—"
The gates open wider.
Rhea enters.
Bag slung over one shoulder. Sunglasses on. Chin lifted. Steps measured like she's walking into a battlefield she refuses to lose.
Ling straightens instantly.
She pushes off the hood and walks straight to her.
No hesitation. No audience awareness.
"Morning, baby girl," Ling says, voice low, familiar, dangerous. "How are you."
Rhea stops.
Slowly pulls her sunglasses down just enough to look at her.
"You're loud," Rhea says.
Ling smiles. "You like that."
Rhea exhales through her nose. "You're impossible."
Ling leans in slightly. Claiming space. "And you came anyway."
Rhea's jaw tightens. "Classes. Not you."
Ling's eyes flick over her face, quick assessment. "You didn't sleep."
Rhea stiffens. "Don't start."
Ling softens just a fraction. "Eat."
Rhea scoffs. "You're not my—"
Ling cuts in quietly. "Eat."
Rhea looks away first.
From the side, Mira watches, nails digging into her palm. Her smile is brittle. Her eyes are burning.
Rina notices immediately.
"Ooooh," Rina murmurs. "She's glaring like she's about to combust."
Ling doesn't look at Mira. "She usually does that."
Rina grins. "Should I wave?"
"No."
"Pity."
A few steps away, Jian and Rowen whisper, eyes darting between Ling and Rhea.
Rowen mutters, "She didn't even hesitate."
Jian replies, "That's not flirting. That's ownership."
Rina hears. Turns. Smiles sweetly. "Good. You're learning."
Rhea finally looks back at Ling. "Why are you here like this."
Ling tilts her head. "Like what."
"Like you don't care who sees."
Ling's gaze sharpens. Drops. "I don't."
Beat.
Rhea swallows. "People talk."
Ling steps closer. Voice lowers. "Let them."
Rhea's fingers curl around her bag strap. "You enjoy provoking chaos."
Ling's lips twitch. "Only when you're watching."
Rhea looks at her properly now. "You're going to regret this."
Ling leans in just enough that only Rhea hears.
Her voice is calm. Certain.
"I already decided what I'll regret," she says. "And it's not this."
Rhea's breath catches—just for a second.
She steps back abruptly. "Go bother someone else."
Ling doesn't move. "After class. Café."
"That wasn't a question," Rhea snaps.
Ling smiles wider. "Good. Then you understood me."
Rhea turns and walks away.
Ling watches her go.
Rina nudges her shoulder. "You're insane."
Ling doesn't look away. "I'm focused."
Rina follows Rhea with her eyes, amused. "She's resisting like she's terrified of herself."
Ling's voice drops. "She should be."
Mira approaches then, forced smile in place. "Ling, can we talk?"
Ling finally turns. Her face is cold again. Closed.
"No."
Mira flinches. "I just—"
Ling steps past her. "Not now. Not here. Not ever when I say no."
Rina whistles softly. "Ouch."
Mira's eyes shine with humiliation and anger as Ling walks away.
Rhea glances back over her shoulder once—just once—and catches Ling watching her.
Neither looks away.
The hall is already half full when Ling enters.
Conversation dies.
Not because she demands it—because her presence does.
She goes to the front.
The professor pauses mid-sentence. "Captain Kwong—?"
Ling pulls out a chair and sits, crossing one leg over the other, calm. "Continue."
The professor swallows and does.
Rhea enters late.
Not rushed. Not apologetic.
She walks in like she owns the delay.
Ling's eyes lift instantly.
The professor clears his throat. "Miss Nior. You're late."
Rhea meets his gaze. "I know."
A few students snicker.
Ling's jaw tightens.
"Take a seat," the professor says sharply.
Rhea does—two rows back.
Ling stands.
The scrape of the chair is loud.
She turns to face the hall. "Actually," she says evenly, "I'd like to use Miss Nior as today's example."
Rhea's head snaps up. "Excuse me?"
Ling's eyes don't leave her. "You're sharp. Observant. And clearly not intimidated."
The professor hesitates. "Ling—"
"I'll handle it," Ling says calmly.
She walks closer. Stops right beside Rhea's desk.
"Tell me," Ling says, voice carrying, "what happens when power meets resistance."
Rhea tilts her head. "Depends who's weaker."
A murmur spreads.
Ling smiles—slow, dangerous. "Incorrect."
She leans down, one hand on Rhea's desk, close enough to invade.
"Power," Ling says quietly, "reshapes resistance."
Rhea looks up at her. Eyes sharp. Unyielding. "Or resistance teaches power its limits."
Ling holds her gaze.
For a moment, the room ceases to exist.
Then Ling straightens. "Class dismissed."
The professor opens his mouth.
Ling looks at him.
He closes it.
Students scramble out, whispering furiously.
Rhea stands slowly. "You enjoy humiliating people."
Ling steps into her path. "Only when they pretend they're unaffected."
Rhea scoffs. "You think this scares me?"
Ling lowers her voice. "No. I think it excites you."
Rhea's breath stutters.
She pushes past Ling without another word.
Ling watches her go, eyes dark.
Corridor
Rhea rounds the corner and nearly collides with Rina.
"Oh good," Rina says cheerfully. "I was hoping you'd run into me."
Rhea sighs. "What now."
Rina falls into step beside her. "Relax. I'm not here to interrogate you."
"Could've fooled me."
Rina smirks. "You handled her well in there."
Rhea stops. "Handled who."
"Ling," Rina says easily. "You don't flinch."
Rhea crosses her arms. "You don't know anything about me."
Rina leans against the wall. "I know my cousin. And I know when she's losing control."
Rhea's jaw tightens. "Then stop encouraging her."
Rina studies her. "Are you planning to leave her."
Silence.
Rhea looks away. "That's none of your business."
Rina nods slowly. "That wasn't a no."
Rhea snaps back, "You think I want this?"
Rina steps closer. "I think you're already in it."
Rhea's voice drops. "You don't know what you're asking."
Rina softens—just a little. "Then don't destroy her."
Rhea's eyes flash. "I didn't say I would."
Rina holds her gaze. "Good."
She steps back. "Just remember—Ling doesn't survive halfway."
Rhea whispers, almost to herself, "Neither do I."
Rina hears it anyway.
AdminBlock
By afternoon, the atmosphere shifts.
A notice circulates.
Academic Review Committee — Immediate Evaluation of Attendance and Conduct.
Rhea's name is listed.
Ling sees it on her phone.
Her smile vanishes.
She storms into the administration office.
Eliza is already there.
Seated. Composed. Hands folded.
"Mother," Ling says flatly. "Explain."
Eliza looks up. "Good afternoon to you too."
"You targeted her."
Eliza smiles faintly. "I corrected an imbalance."
Ling steps closer. "Withdraw it."
"No."
Ling's voice drops. "You're crossing a line."
Eliza stands. "I'm protecting you."
"From what."
"From attachment," Eliza says coolly. "From weakness."
Ling's eyes burn. "I will burn this place down."
Eliza doesn't flinch. "You won't."
Ling leans in, close enough that only Eliza hears. "Try me."
A long, silent stare.
Eliza finally steps back. "We'll discuss this at home."
Ling turns away. "There is no home if you do this."
She leaves without looking back.