My Mafia classmate

chapter 9 presentation day

The presentation hall was packed.

Elara's hands were shaking so badly her note cards rattled. Kael wasn't in his usual seat behind her. He was three rows back, next to his cousin.

Watching her like a hawk.

"Miss Elara, you're next," Professor called.

She stood. Just as she reached the podium, the projector flickered.

Her slides were gone. Replaced with photos — photos of HER. Outside her dorm. At the cafe. Walking home late.

A gasp ran through the class.

"Who did this?" The professor shouted.

Elara froze. This was why Kael told her not to come.

From the third row, the cousin stood up slowly, clapping.

"Wow, Elara. Didn't know you had a stalker. Scary world, huh? Maybe you need someone stronger to protect you."

Kael was on his feet in a second.

"Turn it off," Kael growled.

"Or what, cousin?" The cousin smiled. "You going to hit me like you hit those two guys? Go ahead. Dad would love to see that."

Elara did the bravest thing she'd ever done. She didn't cry. She looked straight at the cousin.

"You took these pictures, didn't you?" Her voice echoed. "Because you want to scare me away from Kael."

The room went silent.

The cousin's smile twitched. "That's a big accusation."

"Then prove me wrong," she said. "Leave our class alone."

Kael looked at her, pure shock and pride on his face.

Before the cousin could answer, the back door opened.

Kael's father walked in with the dean and two security guards.

"I think we found who hacked the school server," his father said coldly, looking at his nephew.

The cousin went pale.

Elara finally breathed. She looked at Kael across the room.

He mouthed two words: _I got you._

She mouthed back: _I know._