Marrying My Father's Enemy
Chapter 62: Collision

Chapter 62: Collision

Chapter 62: Collision

The loud scrape of chairs echoed through the classroom as the lecture ended.

Students rose, chatting and gathering their belongings.

Eira stuffed her notebook into her bag, focusing on leaving before Vanesa could corner her again. But her efforts were in vain.

Vanesa appeared in front of her, blocking her path with a smug smile.

Her plastered forehead gleamed under the fluorescent lights, and her turtleneck looked even more out of place now that the room was stuffy and warm.

"Well, Eira," Vanesa began, crossing her arms, "I had some time to think during class, and I realised something."

Eira sighed, already exhausted by the confrontation. "What is it now, Vanesa?"

Vanesa leaned closer, her voice dripping with venom. "Callian," she said, a cruel smile spreading across her face. "He’s absolutely wonderful in bed. Did you know that?"

The words landed heavily in the air, but Eira didn’t flinch. She stared at Vanesa, her expression was calm, and her silence became louder than any response.

Vanesa’s smirk faltered, and her irritation grew. "Oh, nothing to say?" she sneered. "Does it hurt too much, or are you just used to being second-best?"

Eira stepped around her without a word, heading for the door. But Vanesa wasn’t done.

"Hey!" Vanesa snapped, grabbing a thick textbook from her desk.

Without hesitation, she hurled it at Eira.

The book struck Eira’s shoulder with a heavy thud, and the room erupted into laughter. Students whispered and chuckled, some pointing, others simply watching the spectacle.

Eira stopped in her tracks.

Slowly, she turned around, her eyes locking onto Vanesa’s.

The laughter in the room began to die down as the tension grew thick.

Eira walked over to where the book had fallen, picked it up, and tested its weight in her hand.

Then, without warning, she slammed it against Vanesa’s face with a sharp crack.

The room gasped.

"That," Eira said, her voice steady, "is for throwing this at me."

Vanesa staggered back, her hands flying to her nose. Blood trickled between her fingers, and her eyes widened in shock.

Eira stepped forward and slammed the book into Vanesa’s face again.

"This," she said, her voice rising, "is for lying about Callian."

Another blow, harder this time.

"And this," Eira said, her voice shaking now, "is for being my half-sister."

The class was deathly silent, the tension felt so heavy it was suffocating.

Vanesa crumpled onto a desk, clutching her nose as the blood dripped onto her green sweater.

Before Eira could lift the book again, the professor’s voice rang out.

"Eira! Vanesa! That’s enough!"

The professor strode forward, his face was frowning from anger.

He stepped between them, grabbing Eira’s wrist to stop her from swinging again.

"What on earth is going on here?" he demanded, looking between the two women.

"She started it," Vanesa whimpered, her voice muffled by her hands.

The professor glared at her. "Quiet, Vanesa. I saw enough of what just happened to know this was more than one-sided."

He turned to Eira, his expression softening slightly. "Eira, this behaviour is unacceptable. Both of you—my office, now."

"I don’t have time," Eira said in a simply firm but respectful way.

She glanced at the clock on the wall. "I need to go to the police station later. This will have to wait."

The professor growled. "The president’s office first. Whatever’s going on, you’re not walking out of here without consequences."

Eira stared back at him, then nodded sharply. "Fine. But I won’t be late for the police station."

The professor gestured for both women to follow him, and the room remained silent as they walked out, leaving behind a group of wide-eyed students who would no doubt be retelling this story for weeks.

Vanesa stumbled slightly as she followed, her hand still pressed to her nose, glaring daggers at Eira.

Eira didn’t look back.

Her mind was already on what awaited her at the police station, but a small part of her felt... lighter.

For once, she had stood her ground, and she wasn’t sorry for it.

"Don’t think you’ve won anything," Vanesa hissed under her breath.

Eira didn’t bother turning around. "You might want to save your energy for the president. You’ll need it."

They reached the president’s office, the heavy wooden door loomed ahead.

The professor knocked once before opening it, ushering them inside.

President Thorn sat behind a large, polished desk, his sharp eyes glanced up from a stack of papers.

"Professor Cline," President said in a measured tone. "What is the meaning of this?"

The professor cleared his throat. "There was an incident in class. A fight between these two."

Thorn’s eyes moved to Eira, then to Vanesa. His brow furrowed slightly as he noticed the blood staining Vanesa’s sweater.

"Explain," he said simply, but commanding.

Vanesa immediately pointed at Eira. "She attacked me! Out of nowhere! I was just minding my own business, and she—"

"That’s a lie," Eira interrupted.

She met President eyes directly. "Vanesa threw a book at me. I defended myself."

"You ’defended yourself’ by breaking my nose?" Vanesa snapped.

Eira’s lips twitched,"You’re lucky it wasn’t worse."

"Enough!" The president’s voice cut through the tension like a blade.

He leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers. "Professor, did you witness this incident?"

The professor nodded. "I arrived after Vanesa threw the book, but I saw Eira... retaliate." He hesitated before continuing. "Multiple times."

He exhaled slowly, pinching the bridge of his nose. "This is unacceptable behavior from both of you. Vanesa, assaulting another student by throwing a book is not ’minding your own business.’ And Eira—" His sharp gaze turned to her. "Violence is never the solution, no matter the provocation."

"She deserved it," Eira said before she could stop herself.

"Excuse me?"

Eira straightened her shoulders, "She’s been harassing me for months. Today, she crossed the line. I reacted, yes, but I won’t apologise for standing up for myself."

Vanesa scoffed, dabbing her nose with a tissue. "Oh, please. Harassing you? Don’t make yourself the victim here."

Eira’s hands clenched at her sides, but she kept her composure. "You humiliated me in front of the entire class. You threw a book at me. What do you call that?"

"Enough!" The president said again, louder this time. "This is not a debate. The fact is, you both acted inappropriately, and there will be consequences."

"Fine," Eira said, her voice clipped. "But I don’t have time for this right now. I have to go to the police station."

Thorn’s expression shifted slightly, "The police station?"

"Yes." Eira adjusted her bag on her shoulder. "It’s a family matter, and it’s urgent. Whatever consequences you decide, I’ll deal with them later."

He studied her for a moment, then nodded. "Very well. But this discussion isn’t over. You both will meet with me tomorrow to discuss disciplinary actions. Is that clear?"

Eira nodded. "Crystal."

Vanesa glared at him. "And what about her? She—"

"I said this discussion is over for now, Ms. Foster," the president said sharply, cutting her off.

Vanesa’s mouth snapped shut, though her eyes still burned.

He gestured toward the door. "You’re both dismissed. But I expect you back here first thing tomorrow morning. Don’t make me call you in again."

Eira turned on her heel and left without anot word, her footsteps quick and purposeful. She didn’t look back to see if Vanesa was following.

Outside the Building

The cold air hit Eira’s face like a slap, but it was a relief after the stifling tension of the office. She walked briskly toward the parking lot.

Her phone buzzed in her pocket. Pulling it out, she saw Callian’s name flash across the screen.

-I’m here,- he said when she answered. -Near the west gate.-

As she approached the gate, she spotted his car idling on the curb.

Callian leaned against the hood.

When he saw her, he straightened, his eyes scanned her face for any sign of what had happened.

"You’re late," he said softly, though there was no real accusation in his tone.

"Let’s just go," Eira said, pulling the door open and sliding into the passenger seat.

Callian didn’t push her. He got in and started the engine, the car pulling away from the university.