The man's tone lifted slightly, his words naturally drawn out at the end, always carrying an indescribable laziness, as if he were speaking right beside your ear, his breath tickling at your heart.

It felt a bit familiar.

Grace Sawyer turned her head.

Henry Bennett was standing by the railing, dressed in a white shirt and suit pants. His bangs were a bit long, covering his eyebrows, and his features were strikingly beautiful, almost too dazzling. He lowered his eyelids, and when he looked at her face, the corners of his lips relaxed: "Grace Sawyer?"

Grace Sawyer stared at him for a few seconds, then quickly lowered her head again, saying nothing.

She didn't know whether to call this meeting expected or unexpected.

Noticing her red eyes, Henry Bennett squatted down to look at her: "Crying again?"

"......"

He found it amusing. "So scared?"

Grace Sawyer pressed her lips together, silent.

Henry Bennett: "Don't cry, I'll take the blame for you."

Grace Sawyer looked at him.

Henry Bennett rubbed the top of her head and asked, "Are we going to the classroom or the office now?"

Grace Sawyer didn't answer his question, but reproached him: "Who comes this late?"

Hearing this, Henry Bennett raised his eyebrows, replying good-naturedly, "Then what time should I have come?"

Grace Sawyer said stiffly, "I got out of school at 4:20."

"So early? I didn't know. How about I apologize to you?" Henry Bennett's tone was playful, as if teasing a little pet, "Let me admit my mistake to you."

Because of his arrival, Grace Sawyer's mood eased a bit, and she managed to say, "No need."

It had already been a while since school ended.

Afraid the teacher had been waiting too long, Grace Sawyer didn't keep sulking: "Let's go."

"Go where?"

"The office."

Once they reached the first floor, a left turn led straight to the teachers' office.

They stopped five meters from the door.

Grace Sawyer thought for a moment and gave a few instructions: "I'm actually pretty experienced with this. In a bit, the teacher will keep complaining to you, and you just need to agree with him."

Henry Bennett responded lazily with a sound.

What they were about to do was, for Grace Sawyer, the boldest and most serious thing she'd ever done.

Teaming up with someone else to deceive a teacher.

Grace Sawyer's expression was grave: "Also, gege, try to talk as little as possible. Otherwise, if we get exposed and caught, we're both done for."

Henry Bennett licked his lips and smiled, "Why does that sound kind of scary?"

Grace Sawyer was nervous, putting on a brave front as she looked at him: "Be a little braver."

"Okay." Henry Bennett laughed, "I'll be brave."

At this time, there were only two teachers left in the office.

One was Lucas Brooks. The other was the homeroom teacher of Class Six, who was also the English teacher for Class One, surnamed Zhang. Their desks were side by side, and Lucas Brooks was grading homework, chatting idly with Teacher Zhang.

Grace Sawyer walked over: "Teacher."

Lucas Brooks looked up: "You're here?"

Grace Sawyer lowered her head and said, "Mm, my brother's here."

Henry Bennett stood by her side. Unlike her, he wasn't nervous at all, speaking calmly and openly: "Hello, teacher, my name is Ethan Sawyer, I'm Grace Sawyer's brother."

Originally, Grace Sawyer was worried he'd be too scared to speak, but to her surprise, she heard the words "Ethan Sawyer" come out of his mouth, and he lied so calmly and steadily, his tone unwavering and full of confidence.

She couldn't help but glance at him.

Lucas Brooks stood up and hurriedly said, "I'm Grace Sawyer's homeroom teacher, surname Chen. Sorry to trouble you to come over, please have a seat."

Teacher Zhang joked from the side, "How many times has it been now?"

Lucas Brooks lowered his voice, sounding annoyed, "Aren't you the same?"

Hearing this, Grace Sawyer finally noticed that there was a fifth person in the office. Charles Foster was standing in the corner behind the two teachers, silent and almost invisible.

When their eyes met—

Charles Foster's foot shifted, as if he was struggling. Soon, he walked over and stood two meters away from Grace Sawyer, right in front of Teacher Zhang.

The two of them were standing close.

They were about the same age, and both good-looking.

It was easy for people to get ideas.

Henry Bennett sat on the chair next to Lucas Brooks, his gaze sweeping over the two of them, his eyes carrying a hint of meaning, then he beckoned to her: "Come here."

Grace Sawyer obediently walked over: "What is it?"

Lucas Brooks was looking for some documents on the side, not paying attention to them.

Henry Bennett propped his face up with one hand and beckoned to Grace Sawyer again with his finger.

Grace Sawyer hesitated for a few seconds, then compromised and leaned in.

"Kid," he lowered his head and whispered to her, "Are you in a puppy love?"

When that word came out, Grace Sawyer was a bit annoyed. But the next sentence made her mind go blank for a moment: "What?"

After she realized, her face instantly flushed, turning as red as a little tomato, though she didn't know if it was from anger or embarrassment. Afraid the teachers would hear, she lowered her voice and snapped, "You're the one in a puppy love!"

"Hmm? I wish I was."

"......"

Henry Bennett leaned back in his chair again, lazily saying, "But I'm not old enough, am I?"

Chapter 5 Sneaking Around