In the dean's office.
A woman in a silver-white business suit sat at her desk, flipping through a stack of documents.
She had striking features, an air of refinement, and the kind of mature elegance that only came with experience and education.
Her name was Alexandra, the director of Houston Martial Arts School.
She also happened to be Bertha's martial arts teacher.
Though Alexandra's personal cultivation wasn't top-tier, her theoretical knowledge ran deep. Over the years, she had mentored many outstanding students—none more notable than Bertha.
That reputation was one of the key reasons Alexandra had climbed to the top, becoming director at a relatively young age, surpassing even veterans like Hugo, who was older and more senior in years.
Of course, that wasn't the only reason.
There was another.
Alexandra came from a powerful background. Her father, Warren, held the title of Great Guardian in the Houston Martial Arts League.
Who would dare not to show her respect?
A knock at the door interrupted her thoughts.
"Dean, they're here," her assistant called politely.
Alexandra had only just returned. Her assistant had mentioned earlier that Bertha had been waiting to see her.
Kind and warm by nature, Alexandra hadn't seen Bertha in a while and had been planning to walk to the door herself to greet her.
But before she could move, Bertha's voice rang out.
"Teacher, you just got back from work. Sit down—don't tire yourself out."
The three of them walked into the office.
"I'm not that fragile," Alexandra said with a soft smile as she approached and took Bertha's hand. "But you haven't come to see me in so long."
Their relationship had long since moved past teacher and student—it was more like sisters.
Bertha grinned. "But I'm right here now. Besides, I've only been graduated for what, less than two years? It hasn't been that long."
"Really? Then why does it feel like forever?"
Bertha smirked. "Teacher, are you calling me old?"
"How could I?" Alexandra laughed. "You look exactly the same as when I first met you. So young, so full of energy. You haven't changed a bit—it's honestly enviable."
"And you're one to talk, Teacher," Bertha shot back. "When I was walking around campus earlier, I overheard someone calling you an 'unaging goddess'!"
They laughed as they exchanged compliments, but the flattery wasn't empty.
Even at thirty-seven, Alexandra looked barely past thirty.
As for Bertha—well, every time John laid eyes on her delicate, doll-like face, he couldn't help but feel the urge to kiss her.
But this time…
When his gaze landed on Alexandra, his heart suddenly skipped a beat.
It wasn't attraction.
It was familiarity.
Yes—an odd, powerful sense of familiarity.
As if the woman standing before him had some deep connection to his life.
John found himself frozen in place, lost in that strange feeling.
Meanwhile, Alexandra and Bertha had already finished catching up.
Then Bertha, bubbling with excitement, turned and said, "Teacher, I didn't just come here today to visit—I wanted to introduce someone special."
She bounced over to John, grabbed his arm, and pulled him forward.
"Teacher, this is my brother—John. He's insanely powerful!"
Of course he was. Little John was the King of Horizon.
Bertha watched Alexandra closely, eager to see her reaction. But she didn't spill John's real identity right away.
After all, the best surprises are saved for last.
Hugo stood off to the side, stunned.
Wasn't John supposed to be Bertha's boyfriend?
Now he was her brother?
Then it clicked.
Ah... I get it now.
Hugo, sharp as ever for a vice dean, quickly figured out what was going on. The two must've pretended to be a couple just to get Lucien to back off.
No wonder John had called Bertha "seventh sister" earlier. It wasn't some pet name—it had just slipped out.
Damn.
Hugo sighed inwardly.
She really went that far to get rid of Lucien—asked her own little brother to play boyfriend? That's cold.
Poor bastard.
Hugo spoke up, trying to keep a straight face. "Dean, I've met this young man before. He's got a solid character. Honest and low-key—not flashy at all."
Oddly enough, Hugo flushed slightly as he said it.
But Alexandra didn't respond.
She just kept staring at John's face—long and hard.
Her eyes didn't budge. And behind them, a ripple of emotion flickered. Something unspoken, almost painful.
"…Are you from Sunshine Welfare Center?"
Her voice was calm, but there was a tremor in it as she finally spoke.
John's heart skipped again.
She knew.
Alexandra knew something.
He could feel it in the way she looked at him—as if some invisible thread had just been pulled tight between them.
Alexandra had known Bertha's background for a long time. She'd grown up at the Sunshine Welfare Center in New York.
Alexandra was more than familiar with that place.
She could never forget it.
John's body stiffened, an involuntary shiver running through him.
She was right. There was something between them.
Something real.
Seeing John frozen in place, Bertha stepped in, unaware of the tension crackling between them.
"Yeah," she said. "Like me, little John lived at the Sunshine Welfare Center since he was a kid. But something happened and we got separated for years."
Alexandra's eyes darkened.
"…Was it because of the fire?"
Her voice dropped, edged with bitterness.
A shadow crossed her face, and then…
She sneered.