My Reborn Admirer Wins Over My Heart (Oriana) novel Chapter 91

**He Returned to Break and Own Me and for His Queen**

William’s commanding proclamation once again unflinchingly laid bare James’ foolish antics for all to see. The atmosphere in the room thickened with tension, and Cormac, his jaw clenched so tightly that it felt like he might shatter his own teeth, exploded with rage. “If that’s how you feel, Mr. Harris, you could have easily handled this matter internally! What a waste of everyone’s time for no good reason!” His voice echoed, a mix of frustration and disbelief.

William, undeterred by Cormac’s outburst, chuckled lightly, a smirk playing on his lips. “Oh, I felt like stirring the pot! My girl deserves to be protected from any sort of bullying. She stood her ground, and I couldn’t be prouder of her!” His voice was filled with a fierce pride that resonated in the air.

Oriana stood there, her gaze fixed on the irreverent figure of William before her, her heart swelling with an indescribable mix of admiration and warmth. The rumors that circulated about him whispered of a man with a tarnished reputation—lazy, retired, indifferent to the students, and careless with academics. Yet, the William she witnessed now was a stark contrast to those tales.

His protectiveness toward her felt genuine and unwavering. The concern etched on his face as he inspected Lily’s injury was palpable. It was a moment of vulnerability that revealed a side of him she had never seen before. His meticulous approach to identifying and correcting issues from countless student discussions showcased a dedication that contradicted the careless persona others had painted.

As Oriana’s admiration blossomed, Cormac and James found themselves teetering on the brink of madness, their frustration mounting at William’s antics. Proud of what, they wondered? Was this merely a needless escalation of conflict? Yet, they both knew better than to confront William directly. If they unleashed their tempers, they would surely face a wrath far greater than their own.

Cormac, his expression darkening, understood that the storm would not pass until William was satisfied. He turned to James, his voice low and commanding. “Did you hear Mr. Harris? Apologize now!”

“Apologize? Me? Mr. Harris, my blood—” James began, his voice rising in disbelief. Was all of this for nothing?

“Must I repeat myself?” Cormac’s tone sharpened, his eyes narrowing with unmistakable pressure.

In truth, Cormac’s protectiveness was not solely for his student; it was a shield for his own reputation. He could not allow even a hint of blemish to mar his standing, especially not in this moment.

James, sensing the gravity of the situation, lowered his head in defeat. “I’m sorry,” he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.

William scoffed at the half-hearted apology. “Young man, you were anything but gentle when you shoved that girl earlier.”

Taking a deep breath, James summoned his courage and bellowed, “I’m sorry! I recognize my mistake!” His voice echoed with a mix of frustration and sincerity.

William narrowed his eyes, locking his gaze on Oriana. “The person you truly need to apologize to is Lily.”

Damn it! Was this man pushing his luck even further? Just as James felt the heat rising within him, Leo stepped in, holding him back with a firm grip.

With a resigned sigh, James turned to Lily and shouted, “Lily, I’m sorry!”

Lily, not nearly as bold as Oriana, quickly waved her hands, her cheeks flushed. “It’s fine, we’re even now.”

“Good. This matter is settled. Remember this lesson well. No more bullying others with your position in the future.” William’s voice was firm, and he shot a pointed glance at Cormac before turning to leave. “Otherwise, if you provoke someone you can’t afford to offend, it’ll be too late for regrets.”

James’s shoulders slumped, his expression one of defeat as he muttered, “Mr. Flint…”

William squinted slightly, a mischievous glint in his eyes as he asked, “Do you know what point you hit on James?”

“Three inches left of the Fengchi point,” Oriana replied without hesitation, her confidence shining through.

“Fengchi point is a major acupoint. You dared to strike there? Weren’t you afraid of causing serious harm? I wouldn’t want to clean up your mess,” he teased, a hint of seriousness underlying his words.

“It was an emergency! I know an injury to the Fengchi point can be serious, so I adjusted by three inches. He attacked Lily; I had to teach him a lesson,” Oriana explained, her voice steady.

“Hmph. Clever enough,” William remarked, swinging his legs again, resembling a bored kitten flicking its tail. It was hard to gauge whether he was truly pleased or simply amused.

“You’ve only been here a few days. Have you memorized all the acupoints?” he probed, a hint of challenge in his tone.

Oriana felt a tinge of embarrassment. “The major ones are okay, but…”

William interrupted her, a playful grumble escaping his lips. “Don’t think that just because I’ve accepted you as my student, you can slack off. Let me tell you, when it comes to laziness, no one can beat me!” His demeanor was both serious and teasing.

Oriana couldn’t help but feel a mix of amusement and exasperation at his words. “Don’t worry, I will study harder. I’ll solidify my foundation first, ready for your tests.”