Chapter 370

The tension in the air was palpable.

Benjamin wasn't the only one shaken by Samuel's unexpected arrival. The entire group of students behind him froze, their nervous energy radiating like static electricity.

For the girls, this was their first encounter with Benjamin's older brother. None had anticipated he'd be so strikingly handsome - his mature aura making Benjamin seem like a boy in comparison. They stood mesmerized, barely breathing under his commanding presence.

Zachary and his crew fell silent immediately. While they had no problem provoking Benjamin, facing Samuel Rivers was an entirely different matter. The Rivers family dominated the city's power structure, their influence stretching nationwide. None of their families could even dream of matching that status.

Samuel's piercing gaze darkened when no one answered his question. His frown deepened as he repeated, "Which one of you is Celeste Rivers?"

The silence stretched uncomfortably long.

Benjamin was drowning in guilt, sweat beading on his forehead. He knew better than anyone how sacred his missing sister's memory was to Samuel. The consequences of someone else using that name would be catastrophic.

Zachary noticed Benjamin's guilty expression and smirked. Seeing an opportunity, he nudged Evelyn beside him. "Hey, Celeste! Your brother's talking to you. Why so quiet?"

Emily, who had a crush on Benjamin, sensed something amiss. She stepped forward politely. "Excuse me, sir. Isn't Celeste your younger sister? Why do you sound like you don't know her? She's right there next to Benjamin."

"Next to him?" Samuel's eyebrow arched as his attention snapped to Evelyn standing beside Benjamin.

His pupils constricted sharply. The woman he'd initially dismissed now held his full attention. The warmth in his eyes vanished instantly, replaced by icy fury. "You called yourself Celeste?"

Evelyn remained expressionless, opening her mouth to explain. "I-"

Samuel cut her off with a sharp gesture. "I don't care how you wormed your way into the Graysons' circle," he said coldly, "but using my family name to elevate yourself? That I won't tolerate. If I ever hear you pretending to be my sister again, you'll regret it."

His threat hung heavy in the air.

Benjamin knew Samuel never made idle threats. Despite his fear, he couldn't let Evelyn take the fall for his lie. Gritting his teeth, he stepped between them. "It's not her fault, Samuel. She never pretended to be Celeste. I told everyone her name was Celeste because-"

The slap came without warning, cracking through the tense silence.

Benjamin staggered, hand flying to his stinging cheek. His ears rang, eyes burning with unshed tears. "I swear, she didn't do anything wrong. It was me..."

"Then you're even more of a fool," Samuel snarled, his usual composure shattered. "Letting some social climber use our sister's name? What were you thinking?"

He turned his furious gaze back to Evelyn, pointing accusingly. "Do you really think you're worthy of that name?"