Chapter 124: Rewards and Offers
Evaline:
The phone started buzzing with a soft vibration that cut through the silence at our table.
I looked down at the screen and found Professor Kieran’s name staring back at me. My fingers hovered over the answer button for half a second longer than they should have.
But then I quickly answered, not wanting to disturb my group any further. I moved to the farthest corner with no other student there before speaking, "Hello?"
"Evaline," his deep voice rolled through the line, smoother than I remembered. "Can you come to my office? I would like to speak with you for a few minutes."
I swallowed. "Of course. I’ll be there shortly."
Ending the call, I returned to our table. "I’m summoned to the administrative wing. I’ll join you guys as soon as I’m done."
"See you later," Ria whispered with a smile and I nodded before turning on my heel.
The walk to Kieran’s office felt longer than it actually was. The tall, dark halls of the administrative wing had an imposing presence, with flickering lanterns casting long shadows. The quiet here was different - a kind of charged silence that made my steps echo louder than usual.
I knocked once and heard his voice call, "Come in."
He was standing near the large window when I entered, facing the view of the back courtyard below. The late afternoon was spilling over his shoulders, and for a brief second, I understood why people feared and respected him in equal measure.