Bound by a promise

Chapter 1

The morning sun spread its golden light across Westbridge University, painting the magnificent campus with warmth. Students walked along the wide pathways in groups, some laughing over jokes while others hurried toward their lecture halls with books clutched tightly against their chests.

Luxury cars pulled up one after another at the university entrance. It wasn't unusual. Westbridge was known as one of the most prestigious universities in London, attended by the children of politicians, celebrities, business tycoons, and influential families from different parts of the country.

Among the crowd, a white Mini Cooper slowly pulled into the student parking lot.

The driver's door opened, and a young woman stepped out.

She adjusted the strap of her black backpack before looking around with a satisfied smile.

Sophia Clark.

Twenty-two years old.

Beautiful without even trying.

Long black hair rested neatly over her shoulders, while her hazel eyes sparkled with warmth and curiosity. She wasn't the type to depend on expensive makeup to look attractive. A simple smile was enough to brighten her face.

Although she was born into the wealthy Clark family, Sophia had never liked attracting attention. She believed everyone deserved respect, regardless of their background.

She locked her car and started walking toward the Faculty of Business.

"Morning, Miss Clark," the elderly security guard greeted with a smile.

"Good morning, Mr. James."

"You're early today."

"I promised myself I wouldn't be late again."

Mr. James chuckled.

"I'll believe that when I see it."

Sophia laughed before waving goodbye.

She had barely walked a few steps when someone covered her eyes from behind.

"Guess who?"

Sophia smiled immediately.

"Lily."

"Aww... you guessed too quickly."

Lily Morgan appeared beside her with a disappointed pout.

"I wanted to surprise you."

"You've been doing that since first year. I know your tricks."

The two friends laughed as they continued walking.

Lily glanced sideways.

"You look happy today."

"I slept for almost nine hours."

"I'm jealous."

"What about you?"

"I spent half the night studying."

Sophia shook her head.

"You study too much."

"And you don't study enough."

"I still pass."

"That's because you're naturally smart."

Sophia smiled sheepishly.

"I'll take that as a compliment."

The two girls continued chatting until they reached the lecture hall.

Students were already taking their seats.

A few minutes later, Professor Williams walked into the classroom carrying several books.

"Good morning, class."

"Good morning, Professor."

For the next two hours, the lecture continued without interruption.

Sophia listened attentively, taking notes whenever necessary.

She wasn't the loudest student in class, but she enjoyed learning.

When Professor Williams asked a difficult question, the room fell silent.

No one answered.

Sophia slowly raised her hand.

The professor smiled.

"Yes, Miss Clark."

She confidently explained the answer.

When she finished, Professor Williams nodded with satisfaction.

"Excellent."

Several students turned to admire her.

Lily leaned closer and whispered,

"You've done it again."

"What?"

"You've made the rest of us look lazy."

Sophia laughed quietly.

"I just answered a question."

"You answered it perfectly."

Before Sophia could reply, the bell rang.

Students immediately began leaving the classroom.

"I need food," Sophia announced dramatically.

Lily burst into laughter.

"That's the first thing on your mind after every lecture."

"I'm serious."

"I know."

As they stepped into the busy hallway, groups of students filled every corner of the building.

Some discussed assignments.

Some took selfies.

Others rushed toward their next class.

Everything looked perfectly normal.

Until...

The corridor suddenly became strangely quiet.

Sophia frowned.

"Why did everyone stop talking?"

Lily looked ahead before sighing.

"He's coming."

Sophia already knew who she meant.

Ethan Lockwood.

The name alone was enough to make half the female students blush.

He was the son of billionaire businessman Richard Lockwood and the younger heir to the powerful Lockwood family.

Everyone knew him.

Some admired him.

Some feared him.

Very few actually knew him.

A few seconds later, he appeared at the end of the corridor.

Tall.

Confident.

Expressionless.

His neatly styled black hair framed a face that looked as though it had been carved by an artist.

His brown eyes revealed absolutely nothing.

Students instinctively stepped aside to make way for him.

No one asked them to.

They simply did.

Whispers immediately followed.

"That's Ethan."

"He looks handsome as always."

"I heard another girl confessed to him yesterday."

"And?"

"He rejected her."

"Poor girl."

Sophia watched the scene unfold before letting out a quiet scoff.

"I don't understand."

Lily looked at her.

"Understand what?"

"Why everyone behaves like he's some kind of king."

"Because he's Ethan."

"So?"

"So he's rich."

Sophia folded her arms.

"Money doesn't impress me."

"It impresses most people."

"Well... I'm not most people."

Lily laughed.

"I knew you'd say that."

At that moment, a nervous first-year student accidentally brushed shoulders with Ethan while trying to squeeze through the crowd.

The young man froze instantly.

"S-Sorry."

Ethan stopped walking.

He slowly looked at the frightened student.

For a brief moment...

The entire hallway became silent.

"Watch where you're going."

His voice was calm.

Cold.

Without waiting for a response, he continued walking as though nothing had happened.

The first-year student released the breath he had been holding.

Sophia watched everything.

She frowned.

"Did you see that?"

Lily nodded.

"He apologized."

"I know."

"Then why couldn't Ethan simply say, 'It's okay'?"

Lily shrugged.

"That's just how he is."

"I don't like people like him."

"You've never even spoken to him."

"I don't need to."

Lily smiled.

"One day, you two might actually have a conversation."

Sophia laughed.

"Not in this lifetime."

Neither of them noticed Ethan briefly glance in their direction before disappearing around the corner.

A strange feeling settled over Sophia for reasons she couldn't explain.

She shook it off almost immediately.

"Come on."

"Where?"

"The cafeteria."

"I thought you'd never ask."

The two friends headed downstairs to the cafeteria, still chatting and laughing, completely unaware that before the day came to an end, they would find themselves in serious trouble...

To be continued…