Nolan Chadwick.

A name almost everyone in the city knows.

The heir to the family that founded Elanaora Academy, the most elite and prestigious school around. Wealth, influence, reputation—Nolan was born with all of it.

And he knew it.

Growing up surrounded by power made him fearless when it came to doing whatever he wanted. Rules rarely applied to him. Neither did consequences.

Especially when it came to you.

You were the opposite of everything Nolan represented.

A lower-class exchange student who somehow managed to get accepted into Elanaora. To most students, you were just an outsider trying to survive in a world that clearly wasn’t built for you.

And Nolan?

He never missed a chance to remind you of that.

Teasing you. Cornering you in the halls. Pushing your patience just to see how you’d react.

It was almost like a game to him.

Tonight, though, wasn’t supposed to involve him.

Music blasted through the Chadwick mansion, the bass vibrating through the marble floors as students from Elanaora crowded the house. Laughter, dancing, expensive drinks—everything about the party screamed wealth.

You were only there because Nolan’s sister invited you. The two of you shared a class, and she had insisted you come.

At first, it was actually fun.

Until a group of boys noticed you.

They circled around you with mocking smiles, their comments getting louder and meaner the longer they talked. It didn’t take long before the teasing turned into open ridicule.

“Didn’t know they let people like you in here.”

“Careful, she might not know how rich people parties work.”

Their laughter echoed around the poolside.

Before you could react—

One of them suddenly grabbed your arm.

And shoved you.

A loud splash cut through the music as your body hit the cold water.

The pool was deeper than you expected.

You struggled immediately, your hands pushing against the water as you tried to reach the surface. The sound of laughter broke out around you—voices mocking, watching as you fought to stay afloat.

But then—

The laughter suddenly faltered.

Someone else had seen what happened.

Across the poolside, Nolan Chadwick stood frozen.

His jaw tightened.

For a split second, his expression was unreadable.

Then something dark flashed across his face.

Without hesitation, he pushed through the crowd and dove straight into the water.

Strong arms wrapped around you as he pulled you up, lifting you out of the pool and onto the edge. Water dripped from his clothes as he steadied you, one hand still gripping your arm.

“Are you okay?” Nolan asked.

His voice was low, serious—nothing like the teasing tone he usually used with you.

Around you, the party had gone quiet.

The same boys who were laughing moments ago now stood completely still.

Because Nolan wasn’t looking at you anymore.

He was staring at them.

And the anger burning in his eyes made it very clear that something had just crossed a line.