Chapter 346

Sophia's lips curled into a mocking smile. "Got caught with your own dirty laundry by a student, and now you're blaming me? With that talent for shifting blame, you should join the circus."

Frederick Aldridge clutched his chest, gasping for breath, his face deathly pale.

Jason Roscente lazily kicked the shattered phone on the ground. "So, accomplice, how are we settling the score for smashing my phone?" He dangled the broken device with a wicked grin. "Thought destroying evidence would save you? I set up auto-upload. The whole internet gets a front-row seat to your little show the second this phone dies."

"You're dead!"

Dylan Langley saw red, swinging a fist straight at Jason's face.

"Move!"

Sophia yanked Jason's arm, pulling him aside.

The punch grazed Jason's ear, but Sophia's momentum sent him stumbling into her. They stood at the top of the stairs, and the collision threw Sophia off balance. She teetered backward, the sudden weightlessness making her grip the railing instinctively.

At the last second, a tall figure descended the stairs in quick strides. Strong arms encircled her slender waist, the crisp scent of cedar enveloping her. Sophia looked up, shaken, into Ethan Roscente's fathomless eyes.

He braced one hand on the railing, half his body suspended over the stairwell, yet shielding her completely. The veins on his exposed wrist beneath his suit sleeve stood taut with unyielding strength.

"Must every reunion be this dramatic?" His low voice brushed her ear.

Sophia pushed out of his embrace, stepping back to straighten her clothes. "All thanks to you."

"Mr. Roscente!" The principal hurried over, sweat beading on his temples. "Are you hurt?"

Sophia gave a slight nod. "Principal Rubinstein."

The principal barely acknowledged her before turning to the chaos, his expression darkening. "What is the meaning of this? Explain yourselves!"

Ethan dusted off his sleeve casually. "Jason, enlighten them."

Instantly, Jason pounced on the opportunity, his voice dripping with grievance. "Uncle! They ganged up on me! I'm done with this dump of a school!"

The principal's pupils dilated—this troublemaker was the seventh son of the Roscente family?

He forced an obsequious smile. "Now, Jason, let's talk this through. Dropping out is—"

"Since when do you call the shots?" Jason cut him off with a cold laugh, his gaze sharp as a blade.