Chapter 2241

On the drive back, Cecilia stopped to pick up Jon and Elliot.

Inside the elementary school, warm afternoon light spilled across the hallways. Classes had just ended, and kids were stuffing books into their backpacks, eager to head home.

Felix, new to the school, had expected the same royal treatment he’d enjoyed in kindergarten. Instead, everyone crowded around Jon and Elliot.

Uneasy, he zipped up his bag, spotted Dante waiting nearby, and strode over—then slammed his shoulder into him.

“A good dog should stay out of my way.”

Dante frowned. “Who are you calling a dog?”

Felix lifted his chin. “Whoever answers.” The smug look on his face was a clear challenge.

Dante swallowed his anger. His family’s business ties to Felix’s family kept him in check.

He clenched his fists but said nothing.

Seeing that, Felix grew even more arrogant. He stuck out his tongue. “Dante, I thought you’d actually do something. Turns out you’re all bark and no bite. You follow Jonathan and Elliot around every day—why not fetch your masters and have them fight for you?”

His mocking tone was enough to set anyone off.

Off to the side, Sophie’s eyes reddened with anger.

“Felix, that’s way out of line,” she said.

Caught off guard that a girl dared to call him out, Felix shoved her without thinking.

The moment Felix laid hands on her, Dante snapped.

Before he could throw a punch, Felix suddenly lost his balance and pitched forward, slamming face-first onto the ground.

Behind him, Jonathan quietly withdrew his foot.

Felix hit hard, pain shooting through his limbs as he let out a howl.

“Wh-who kicked me?” he shrieked.

Maybe he’d bullied too many people—no one answered, and no one pointed at Jon.

“Dante, Sophie, let’s go,” Elliot said, stepping right over Felix.

Dante grinned. “Sure.”

Felix ground his teeth. “You three—stop right there!”

No one listened.

The crowd watched him like he was the punchline to a bad joke.

Even flat on his back, crying, Felix kept shouting after them.

Jon, Elliot, and the others didn’t spare him a glance.

Most of the class already disliked Felix, so no one bothered to help him up.

Left on his own, he scrambled to his feet and chased after them.

As he ran, he kept cursing Dante and Sophie nonstop—but notably left Jon and Elliot out of it.

By the time they reached the school gate, his mouth was still running.

Dante held himself back, but Jon and Elliot finally stopped, no longer willing to listen.

Felix caught up, only to find four pairs of eyes staring at him—cold, furious.

He swallowed hard, then demanded, “Which one of you kicked me?”

Jonathan stepped forward. “I did. Got a problem?”

Felix’s confidence wavered, though he tried to hide it.

“Jon, we’re cousins. Why are you siding with outsiders instead of me?”

Jonathan let out a cold laugh. “Felix, ever heard what people say?”

“Say what?”

“First generation, close. Second, not so much. By the third or fourth—we’re basically strangers.”

Felix blinked. “What does that even mean?”

Elliot cut in, annoyed. “Bro, stop wasting time talking to an idiot.” Then he looked at Felix. “It means we’re not on your side. Got it?”