Ellie had a feeling that those students had figured out who she was.

And now, everything made sense.

When her gaze accidentally met that of one of the students, they quickly looked away, obviously feeling guilty.

“It looks like they’ve recognized me,” she said, covering her face with her hands, to Kaiden.

Kaiden remained silent, but his gaze seemed to say, “Did you just figure that out?”

She glared back, teeth clenched, and whispered, “Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

Ellie started to wonder if the students had noticed all those small gestures she had shared with Kaiden earlier.

Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. She hoped fervently that the room was too dimly lit for anyone to have seen.

Kaiden, without uttering a word, shifted his attention to Howard on stage. Howard, a violinist since childhood, felt more pressure performing today than he ever did on an international stage.

He couldn’t bring himself to glance towards Ellie’s seat. Yet, he sensed Kaiden’s intense, icy stare.

The song ended.

Silence enveloped the room.

Someone raised their hand shakily, hesitant to clap, and eventually lowered it. The audience’s gaze flitted between the stage and the second row’s center, sensing an unusual tension. Even the teachers felt it.

Turning their heads, they spotted a woman in a black mask and a man wearing a baseball cap.

“Guys, weren’t you better at acting indifferent before? Why did you stop pretending? You guys suck.” Howard picked up the microphone, offering a helpless smile.

The tension in the room eased immediately.

“Ellie, Mr. Thorpe, good evening.”

“Ellie, even behind a mask, your beauty shines through.”

“Ellie, knowing you and Mr. Thorpe would be here, the contestants prepared those love songs especially for you. Did you enjoy them?”

A few students near Ellie said hello, choosing not to tease Kaiden due to his authoritative presence.

They showed good judgment, steering clear of the rumors about Ellie and Howard.

Ellie, at a loss for words, kept up an awkward yet courteous smile.

“This song, Confession Night, is for everyone here. I hope it resonates with you.” Holding the violin in one hand and the microphone in the other, Howard’s gaze found Ellie. “The essence of Confession Night is to bid farewell, a tribute to the friendships we’ve cherished. As I graduate, I wish everyone here nothing but the best.”

Howard referred to everyone familiar, including his juniors, seniors, friends, and teachers, as dear friends.

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