章 59: A Rewarding Punishment

Mark's face burned with shame, the weight of his humiliation pressing down on him like a heavy stone. The murmurs around the classroom had grown louder, swirling around him like a storm he couldn't escape.

His cheeks flushed bright red as if every word was a dagger slicing through what little remained of his pride.

How could he show his face in this school again?

The thought rang in his head over and over like a broken record. His hands were clammy, his legs weak, and his mind raced with desperation.

Mark wasn't used to being on this end of humiliation—he was always the one dishing it out, not receiving it. And now, here he was, utterly disgraced, calling Noah his "dad" in front of the entire class. His ego had taken a blow so deep it left him dizzy.

"I-I need to use the restroom," he blurted out, his voice strained as he raised a trembling hand towards Ms. Elara.