Chapter 40. Home

Alaric slowly bent down, his eyes dark and unreadable. He didn't even ask what had happened.

In a low voice, he murmured, "It'd be a shame to discard such a beautiful painting, don't you think? If you don't want it, why not let me have it?"

Emerald's smile returned, cold and filled with bitterness. "Aren't all the rich just pretending they're better than everyone else? Isn't it funny?"

Suddenly, Emerald stood up from the ground, pushed the umbrella aside, and let them both be drenched by the rain.

Her eyes burned with anger as she grabbed Alaric's shoulders tightly, as if trying to drag him down into the mud where she herself seemed like a lost soul.

"After all the effort you've put in, aren't you just looking to get what you want and then leave? Why pretend to be affectionate? It's disgusting!"

Alaric gripped her wrist, his cold gaze like steel. His skin was icy, almost chilling to the touch.

"Teacher Greene..."

"Did I say something wrong, A