"I think you did really well," Teddy said as he looked at the test paper that Matthew had just finished.
Matthew sat back in the library chair, pencil tapping against the table as Teddy looked over his finished test paper.
"This one is correct, well, most of it," Teddy said, glancing at the page, then back at Matthew. "You actually remembered most of this."
Matthew leaned back with a slight grin. "It's weird. I didn't even study that part much, but the answers just came to me."
Teddy nodded. "That's the idea. It means the repetition is working." He flipped through the questions. "Still, you nailed the essay portion. You even quoted the passage word for word."
Matthew crossed his arms. "That part… it just popped into my head. Like I saw the page in front of me."
He didn't say it out loud, but he knew it wasn't just because of studying. His thoughts were sharper. His focus is stronger. There was a low hum of energy under his skin, and it wasn't from caffeine. It was the ghost. The one from earlier. He could still feel the lingering warmth, faint but present. It hadn't faded.
For some unknown reason, he has now become a creature that can absorb ghosts. That— That is strange, but it might just be the truth.
They spent the rest of the afternoon going over the materials for the upcoming test. Teddy seemed pleased—actually proud—at how easily Matthew grasped the lessons.
Even the more complex math problems, and the historical references, all felt natural to him. When they finished just past eight in the evening, Matthew stretched and packed up his notes.
They stepped out of the library. Matthew wasn't surprised to see the lights still on downstairs. From the second floor, he could hear chatter and clinking cutlery. Cristoff had mentioned earlier that Lenox invited Catherine and her friends over to study. Since Matthew had been occupying the library, they were using Lenox's room instead.
By the time they reached the first floor, the dining area was filled. Plates and drinks covered the long table. Everyone was seated—May, Elisa, Lenox, Catherine, and a few of their classmates. The moment Matthew entered, the room quieted slightly. A few heads turned. Forks paused midair.
Right then, Cristoff appeared with two plates of steak, one in each hand.
"Young Master, your dinner," Cristoff said. "Would you like it here or…?"
Matthew didn't even glance toward the table. "Take it to the pool. We'll eat there."
Cristoff nodded and turned to lead the way.
Teddy hesitated. "Matthew… can we just eat here? It's fine, really."
Matthew turned to him. "Eating with people you don't like affects digestion. It messes with your metabolism."
May stood up from the table, her chair scraping loudly. "Are you seriously still acting like this? You think you're being mysterious or something? Just admit it—you're playing hard to get."
Matthew didn't even stop walking. He rolled his eyes and moved past the table.
Then Catherine stepped in front of him, blocking the hallway that led to the pool.
He stopped. His hands remained in his pockets. He didn't move around her.
Catherine looked at him. Her posture was steady, but she didn't say anything.
Was she expecting him to do something? He thought inwardly. Yet Matthew maintained his silence. He didn't say anything. Just waited.
In response, Catherine didn't move either. Her arms stayed at her sides, relaxed.
The silence stretched for a few seconds before May huffed from the back. "Cathy, seriously? Let him go. He's just being petty."
But Catherine didn't react to her friend. Her attention stayed on Matthew.
Matthew snorted inwardly. In the past, Matthew would do everything to gain Catherine's forgiveness. Perhaps the woman expected him to do the same thing today. Matthew glanced down at her shoes, then back up. "Are you planning to say something or just stand there?"
Still, she didn't speak.
Behind her, Lenox stood from his seat but didn't approach. He was watching. Waiting.
Matthew exhaled once through his nose. "Move," he said.
Yet, Catherine didn't.
He tilted his head slightly. "You're wasting my time."
For a second, it looked like she might say something. Her mouth opened a little—then closed again.
Matthew took a small step forward, close enough that their arms could have brushed.
She still didn't move.
"I think you owe Lenox an apology," Catherine said. "Matthew, I know you are doing this because I refused your gift, but you should just stop being petty. Lenox was hurt because of you."
Before Matthew could reply, Elisa spoke up. "And Catherine was removed from the list because of you. The least you can do is admit you were wrong, apologize to both of them, and put her name back on that list."
Matthew smirked. His eyes shifted to Lenox, who stood just behind Catherine.
"Lenox," Matthew said. "You can't add her name back to that list?"
Lenox's expression tightened. "I don't have that kind of power."
Matthew snorted. "That's strange. You had the power before. What changed?"
A few heads turned. The air around the table shifted slightly as everyone looked at Lenox.
Matthew added, "Isn't Lenox the great young master of the Lindberg family? I'm just the relative from the mountains, right? So why are you all asking me to do it?"
Elisa's face reddened. "That's not the point, Matthew."
"Then what is the point?" Matthew asked. He looked at her. "What happens if I don't apologize?"
Elisa straightened. "Catherine will never speak to you again."
Matthew smiled. His eyes turned to Catherine. He looked at her for a long time.
In his head, the memories came back easily. In his past life, Catherine had made him do everything for her. She had made him pay for everything, organize her life, and cover her debts. And every time he tried to offer something to make things easier for her, she told him he was just trying to buy her affection.
So Matthew had to do everything in secret, and everyone assumed it was Lenox behind it. Catherine believed it, too. For the longest time, she thought Lenox was the real heir of the Lindberg family, and Matthew was just a distant relative that Mr. Lindberg had taken pity on and decided to sponsor.
In the past, Matthew never corrected that. His father never told him to, either. His father thought it was better that way. A way to keep him safe, especially after that kidnapping incident when he was twelve.
But things are different now. Some things needed to change.
"Good," Matthew said, meeting Catherine's eyes. "I hope you really do." Then he stepped past her. "And stop bothering me asking for an apology that won't happen. Just stay away and stop ruining my day."
As soon as Matthew stepped past her and disappeared down the hallway, Catherine blinked rapidly. Her eyes welled up, and a moment later, she turned away from the others, wiping at her face.
Lenox was quick to move beside her. He placed a hand on her shoulder and leaned closer, whispering something none of the others could hear. Catherine didn't respond. She just kept her head low.
May stood up from her seat, arms crossed. "He's just being vindictive. That's all this is. He can't handle rejection, so now he's lashing out."
Elisa nodded. "Don't let him get to you, Cathy. He's not worth it."
May stepped forward. "You should just focus on the test and your mom. Forget him."
Lenox glanced between them. "Wait—what happened to her mom? Was the surgery a success?"
May shook her head. "No. The doctor postponed it. Catherine couldn't get the money in time. And the insurance isn't helping anymore."
"She's starting a part-time job tomorrow," Elisa added. "To save up."
Lenox's jaw tightened. "I'll try to do something about it."
That made May pause. "Really?" she asked.
Lenox gave a small nod. He glanced in the direction Matthew had gone, then said, "I'll talk to someone. Maybe I can move some things around."