Stepping out of the hotel, Maya wrapped herself tightly in her scarf, exhaling a long puff of white mist into the chilly air.

It seemed like she was having a streak of bad luck; even breathing seemed to invite disaster.

She had come to a friend's wedding, only to have her own reputation tarnished. Attending a wedding and running into a drunken man, who could be as unfortunate as she was?

A sharp gust of cold wind hit her face, making her instinctively shrink her neck into her scarf. It was too cold today! But the loss of her first night was an undeniable fact. What good would it do to wallow in self-pity any longer?

She was twenty-three, already an adult. She would treat this as a ridiculous mistake and erase it from her memory. Looking up, her gaze unintentionally landed on a massive outdoor screen.

"President Darwin, are you back in our country to explore new markets?"

"Why have you chosen to return to our country now? Your company in America is thriving."

"When can we expect you to grant an interview with our magazine?"

A throng of reporters surrounded the man, cameras raised, all eager for answers. The man remained silent, a faint, indifferent smile gracing his handsome face as he politely nodded to the crowd, acknowledging their presence.

Arrogant, indifferent, and elegant, yet not a hint of rudeness could be felt... Ah, it's that predatory man!

With a glint of sarcasm in her eyes, Maya lowered her head and turned away. Behind her, a crowd of women had gathered, young and old alike, all captivated and enamored by the man.

 *******

Half an hour later, as she stepped into her home, a rich aroma of tea wafted through the air.

Margaret spotted her daughter and waved with a beaming smile, "Maya, come over and have some tea!"

Suppressing her earlier thoughts, Maya put on a smile, just like any other day. "What kind of tea is it?"

"Your dad and I just got back from our trip to Dali. The most famous thing there is Pu-erh tea, so we brought some back. It was so expensive!"

George Cooper chuckled, "So what if it's a bit pricey? What's important is that we get to enjoy good tea! That's what really counts!" At his words, Maya smiled gently.

The three of them gathered around the table, sipping tea as they listened to the amusing stories her parents shared about their trip to Dali.

Pu-erh tea is naturally strong and particularly rich in flavor. Since her dad loved strong tea, he had brewed a generous amount, making it quite bitter. But the bitterness also had its own flavor.

Maya had downed four large cups of the bitter tea. Glancing at her watch, she set down her cup and dashed into her room.

"What's wrong?" Margaret looked at her, puzzled.

"I have to work this afternoon! I'm almost late!" As she spoke, she stuffed her new gloves into her bag and hurried out of the room. By the time she rushed into the office, it was 2:30 PM, leaving her with just ten minutes before class.

She let out a sigh of relief. The high school she worked at was the top school in Springfield City and the best in the area. Every year, countless students try desperately to get in. With a good school came great benefits and treatment, but of course, the rules were also strict.

She taught literature to the Senior classes four and five, and she was also the homeroom teacher for class five. "Please turn to page 85 in your textbook. Today, we will analyze an ancient poem. I will read it first, and then you can look at the annotations below." Standing at the podium, she cleared her throat and gently began, "The cuckoo sings in the river's isle..."

"A graceful teacher, a good match for students." A clear and melodious male voice suddenly interrupted her. Instantly, the entire class erupted in laughter, turning to see where the voice had come from.

Ethan Darwin lazily rested his arms on the desk, squinting his attractive eyes at the sunlight streaming through the window. He recited, word for word, "The cuckoo sings in the river's isle, a graceful teacher, a good match for students..."

Laughter erupted in the classroom, and Maya couldn't help but join in, a helpless smile spreading across her delicate face as she called out, "Ethan Darwin!"

"Miss Cooper, what's up?" he replied, narrowing his eyes with a playful smile. Maya walked over and stood beside him, playfully pinching his ear as a form of reprimand.

"Come to my office after class."

********

In the office. Maya sighed, looking a bit exasperated. "Ethan, can you please stop causing trouble during class?"

"Miss Cooper, I think I've been quite well-behaved," Ethan said with a broad smile, raising an eyebrow nonchalantly. "My life is just too dull; I need some fun. Where's the Christmas gift you promised me, Miss Cooper?"

"Oh, you remember that better than anyone else. I've already prepared your Christmas gift, but there's one condition."

"What's your condition?"

Maya sat down at her desk. "I've been the homeroom teacher for Class 5 for a year now, and I've never seen your family at any of the parent-teacher meetings. You must have a family member come to tomorrow's meeting" She emphasized the word 'must'.

Ethan leaned casually against the desk, rubbing his nose. "Miss Cooper, that's a bit difficult for me."

"Well, if it's difficult, then forget it. You can go back to the classroom and prepare for your next lesson. And no Christmas gift for you," she said, picking up a pen and starting to prepare her lesson.

"Okay, I promise I will have my family member come, Miss Cooper, about the gift." he relented.

Maya's lips curled into a satisfied smile as she pulled out a pair of gloves she had prepared in advance and handed them to him. "Here's your Christmas gift, Merry Christmas."

Taking the white knitted gloves, Ethan flipped them over in his hands, a hint of dissatisfaction creasing his brow.

Noticing his discontent, she extended her hand toward him. "If you don't want them, just give them back. I stayed up for two nights to knit these gloves for you!" At her words, the corners of the boy's mouth lifted into a wide smile, and he stepped closer.

Though she was his teacher, she stood significantly shorter than he, only reaching his jawline. Bending down, Ethan unexpectedly grabbed Maya's hand. She froze for a moment, and before she could react, his warm, soft lips pressed against her palm, sending a tingling sensation through her. "This is my Christmas gift for you in return." he released her hand with a feigned air of a British gentleman and walked out of the office, his eyes bright.

It wasn't until his figure disappeared that Maya snapped back to reality. The sensation of his lips lingered in her palm. Thank goodness there were no other teachers around; otherwise, it would have been so embarrassing! He was just a high school senior, yet he acted like such a gentleman. What a mischievous kid!

Ethan's gaze remained fixed on the gloves in his hand. Once he turned the corner, he pulled out his phone, his voice cheerful and light. "Greg, it's me. Can you have my dad or my mom come to school tomorrow?"

"Young Master, neither Mr. Darwin nor Mrs. Darwin is available."

"My older brother just returned from the States. Have him come instead. And tell him if he doesn't show up, I'll make a scene."

Maya woke up at six o'clock to prepare for the upcoming parent-teacher meeting. Since it was winter, the world outside was still shrouded in darkness.

Through the window, she could faintly see the branches swaying in the cold wind, signaling that a change in the weather was coming! Christmas was just a couple of days away, and yet there hadn't been a single snowfall this year.

Holding a cup of warm water, She stood by the window, lost in thought. Just then, a loud clattering of footsteps interrupted her. Tessa, heavily made up and swaying, stumbled into the room, reeking of alcohol.

Seeing this, Maya furrowed her brow and lowered her voice, "Tessa, why are you so drunk? Did you go gambling again?"

At her words, Tessa lifted her head defiantly. "Who says I lost money again? Who dares to say I lost again? I just had a bit of bad luck! My fortune will turn around in a couple of days!"

Without saying another word, Maya gave her a few glances at her, grabbed her scarf and bag, and walked out of the room.

At school. At ten o'clock, it was time for the parent-teacher meeting. The parents were already seated, with only one seat left empty. Maya bit her lip, wondering if Ethan's parent were not going to show up again. She was about to look for Ethan, but as soon as she turned around, her heart skipped a beat.

How could it be him?

Charles Darwin was wearing a white shirt, with a tan coat draped over his arm. He seemed to be in a bit of a hurry, which added a touch of casualness to his appearance. His deep-set eyes casually scanned the woman in front of him, a fleeting look of surprise passing over his face, but it was too quick to catch.

As he walked past, he merely glanced at Maya, passing by her like a stranger. Her heart raced uncontrollably, and even the attendance list in her hand trembled slightly. How couldn't she have guessed that he was actually related to Ethan Darwin? It was true what they said-enemies cross paths often. But the world is too big; why did they meet so easily again?

Swallowing the lump in her throat, which felt like a fishbone stuck there, she took a deep breath to calm herself.

Most of the parents attending the meeting were women, and Charles presence was undoubtedly a breath of fresh air among them. With his striking features that seemed sculpted by God and his noble, elegant aura, the mothers around her quickly pulled out their phones to take pictures. Some even posted photos on social media.

Charles frowned slightly. The crowd's attention made him feel a bit impatient and irritated, but he didn't let it show. His calm gaze fell on Maya, and his thin lips moved as he spoke in a low voice, "Miss Cooper, hasn't the parent-teacher meeting started yet?"

Maya felt overwhelmed, her discomfort palpable, but she straightened her back and tried to ignore the tall, imposing figure in front of her. Adopting her teaching tone, she replied, "I apologize for keeping everyone waiting during such a busy time. The purpose of this meeting is to report on the students' academic performance over the past year and their behavior at school. When I call out the names of these parents, please respond."

She began to call out the names of the parents of the top-performing students, all of whom had excellent grades and behavior. Her voice was steady and calm, slightly hoarse due to a cold, yet it was melodious and engaging.

When she spoke about her students, her eyes sparkled with enthusiasm and energy. Charles raised an eyebrow, his gaze fixed on her as he squinted and assessed her. Her hair was blonde, cascading over her shoulders. Her eyes were round and bright like shiny pearls, while her small, delicate nose and naturally rosy lips added to her charm.

Her fair complexion glowed like jade, and the bright red down jacket she wore made her look even more radiant, accentuating her rosy cheeks. Without a trace of makeup, she looked refined and graceful, exuding a sense of comfort.

Though she tried her best to focus, she could still feel that deep gaze sweeping over her. Taking a deep breath, she reminded herself to stay calm and composed, then spoke up, "Are you Ethan Darwin's family?"

Charles leaned back lazily, his tall frame relaxed as he replied, "Yes." His rich, magnetic voice drew the attention of the women around him, their eyes instinctively turning to him, captivated.

He was now her student's family, not the man from that night.

After mentally warning herself again, Maya raised her head and spoke calmly, "Do you know Ethan's ranking in school?"

Charles maintained his relaxed posture, but his handsome face turned slightly, his nose appearing even more prominent as he listened intently, exuding an undeniable charm.

"He's always second to last in every exam, without exception. I hope Mr. Darwin can pay more attention to his study."

If it were any other parent hearing such a ranking in front of so many people, they would likely feel embarrassed or blush. Yet, he remained unfazed, elegant, and composed. "How many senior students are there in the entire school?"

Maya replied honestly, "Two thousand nine hundred."

He flicked his fingers against his sleeve, resting his chin thoughtfully. "But isn't there another one ranking behind him? Two thousand eight hundred and ninety-nine. That's quite a good ranking."

Caught off guard by such an answer, Maya blinked in surprise for a moment before regaining her composure, a hint of sarcasm creeping into her thoughts. Wealthy people's mindset is truly different from that of ordinary folks.

Even if they always come in last at school, they don't worry about the future.

"Mr. Darwin, your perspective is unique."

"Just average," Charles said, a slight smirk on his lips, though his eyes narrowed slightly as he looked at her. Their eyes locked, and Maya's heart raced. She quickly averted her gaze.

The parent-teacher meeting was soon coming to an end. As soon as it wrapped up, Charles pushed back his chair and strode out with long strides. Ethan had been waiting outside for a while. "Charles."

"Hmm" Charles nodded, then after a moment, he added, "Is this the best you can do in exams?"

Clearing his throat, Ethan grinned playfully. "Big brother, you know why prices in big malls often end in 9? It can boost the consumer's desire. Just listen to 'two thousand nine hundred' and then 'two thousand eight hundred and ninety-nine.' Which one feels better?"

"Do you think you're a product with a price tag in a store?" Charles shot him a cold glance and warned, "Next time, don't you ever rank 2899th again, or you'll regret it!"

"When did you start caring about my rankings? If I can't run 2,899th next time, how about aiming for 2,898th instead? That's still a pretty decent rank."

"If you don't make it into the top 1,000 next time, all your expenses will be cut off." Charles said coldly.

Hearing this, Ethan shrugged helplessly. "Alright, if that's the case, you have to agree to one condition!"

"What condition?"

 *********

By the time all the parents had been sent off, it was already noon, time for lunch. Maya stretched and walked out of the school gate, ready to grab some spaghetti. But a sleek black Bentley suddenly blocked her path, coming to a stop right beside her. 

Forced to retreat several steps, she stumbled back, her heart racing.

As the car window rolled down, she was left speechless, shocked to see him again.

Charles glanced at her for a moment before his gaze shifted to Ethan beside him. He parted his lips slightly and coolly commanded, "Get out."

The car door opened, and Ethan stepped out with a smile, making a gentlemanly gesture. "Miss Cooper, please get in. My brother has something to discuss with you."

What could they possibly have to talk about? Maya's heart raced as she glanced at the man inside the car, her voice cautious. "What is it about?"

Ethan gave a sheepish smile and cleared his throat. "It's about my studies."

It seemed she had been too tense. Licking her lips, she replied, "If it's about your studies, we should go to my office."

"My brother's identity is a bit special, and there might already be reporters on their way, so it's better to find a quieter place."

Just as they spoke, the principal hurried over with a flattering smile. "Mr. Darwin, why didn't you give me a heads-up before coming? I would have been ready to welcome you."

Charles nodded slightly. "I'm just here for Ethan's parent-teacher meeting today; I didn't want to disturb you."

"Not at all, Mr. Darwin, it's too kind of you." The principal rubbed his hands nervously, only then noticing Maya standing nearby. He exclaimed in surprise, "Miss Cooper?"

"Principal," she nodded in greeting, surprised that he even acknowledged her presence.

"I'd like to discuss Ethan's academic performance with Miss Cooper," Charles continued.

"Of course," the principal's eyes practically squinted with delight. He turned to Maya and said, "Miss Cooper, you won't need to return to school this afternoon. Take the time to have a good talk with Mr. Darwin. It would be best to come up with a targeted study plan to ease his worries."

Is this really necessary? The principal was acting like she was using Maya as a stepping stone, Maya thought to herself, wanting to decline. "But I have classes this afternoon."

This Miss Cooper is so oblivious, the principal thought, feeling a bit anxious. No matter how many classes she had, she needed to prioritize Mr. Darwin: "Miss Cooper, I'll let Miss Steel cover your classes this afternoon."

Ethan raised an eyebrow at the principal. "Thanks, old man. Now we're taking Miss Cooper away" Before Maya could respond, Ethan opened the back door, pressed down on her shoulder, and shoved her inside. He then slid into the front passenger seat. "Hey, where to?" he asked, tilting his head toward the driver.

"I'm hungry," Charles replied in a low, gravelly voice, leaning back in his seat with his eyes closed, his gaze drifting over Maya. The pressure radiating from him was overwhelming, making her frown and feel restless.

She didn't even dare to move...

Even though Ethan and the driver were in the car as well, the intensity of Charles's presence seemed to grow stronger. Even without moving her eyes, she could still catch him in her peripheral vision.

The car glided smoothly down the road, eventually stopping in front of an upscale restaurant. Inside the elegant and lavish private room, each of them had a plate of medium-well steak in front of them, along with a bottle of red wine.

Ethan had ordered the steak and kept asking Maya what she wanted to eat, pulling out the menu for her to choose from. Maya only wanted to leave this place as quickly as possible, repeatedly declining and making excuses. But her refusals were in vain; Ethan had insisted on ordering her a medium-well steak, which led to the current awkward situation.

The thick red wine slowly dripped into the transparent glass, and its rich aroma immediately filled the private room. Charles' gaze fell on her, studying her for a few seconds before putting down his glass of wine. "Are you sure you want to keep standing, Miss Cooper?"

Both Charles and Ethan were seated, and her standing made the situation feel a bit out of place. Maya had no choice but to awkwardly take a seat. For a moment, the only sound in the room was the slicing of steak.

Fidgeting with her fingers, she broke the suffocating silence. "Is there something you want to discuss about Ethan's studies, Mr. Darwin?"

As soon as his name was mentioned, Ethan abandoned his wine, making an excuse. "I need to use the restroom." As he left the room, he even winked at Charles on purpose.

Charles elegantly continued cutting his steak, then turned his attention back to her. "What do you think about hiring a tutor, Miss Cooper?"

Seeing his businesslike demeanor, she felt her guard drop and nodded in agreement, "I think that's a great idea."

Then, his voice cut through the air, "It seems that you have agreed to be Ethan's tutor."

Maya's eyes widened involuntarily as she straightened up. "When did I agree to that?"

Setting down his knife and fork, Charles picked up his glass and took a slow sip. "What's your answer now, Miss Cooper?"

"I'm sorry, but I don't have the time," she replied without a second thought.

"You won't need too much of your time, just two hours a day."

"Mr. Darwin, it's not about how long it is; I truly don't have any spare time," she mustered the courage to meet his gaze.

However, Charles seemed to ignore her words entirely, his lips curling into a slight smile as he continued, "How about I double your pay?"

Maya's tone turned icy. "It's not about the money, Mr. Darwin. You should find someone else." She was determined to erase all memories of that night, not wanting any further entanglement with him. Because the moment she saw him, the memories of that night would flood back like a tidal wave.

Gently swirling the red wine in his glass, Charles remained calm and relaxed. "What do you think about discussing this matter with the principal of your school?" There was undoubtedly a hint of threat in his words. Given the principal's earlier behavior, she was 100% sure that he would hand her over to him without a second thought! The anger inside her finally ignited.

Her chest rose and fell slightly as she abruptly stood up from her seat. "Why do you insist on me?" Countless people wanted to be a tutor; why did he have to force her? What were his true intentions?

"Miss Cooper, you must have misunderstood my intentions," Charles replied, a light smile dancing in his eyes. He chuckled softly, "It's not that I insist on you, but rather that someone else did."

Maya froze, staring at him in shock as the word escaped her lips: "Ethan?"

"Yes..." Charles replied lazily. So it turned out she had overthought it. A sense of embarrassment rose from deep within her, and her face involuntarily flushed red. Taking a deep breath, she apologized, "I'm sorry, I got a bit carried away just now.