Page 246 of Ruthless Court

Kane knows what I mean.

The online poll.

The photo of my glasses.

H&T.

Classmate or crush.

His expression loses some of its teasing.

I continue.

“The person without status bears consequences they never requested. Their clothes are analyzed. Their motives are questioned. Their identity becomes public property.”

Kane’s jaw tightens.

The debate shifts.

No longer playful.

Real.

He looks toward the students holding their phones.

Then back at me.

“That isn’t influence,” he says. “That’s intrusion.”

“An intrusion created by proximity to power.”

“Then blame the spectators.”

“The powerful person still benefits from them.”

“Not always.”

His answer comes sharper.

“Attention can turn every private moment into evidence. Every woman becomes a suspect. Every friend becomes a headline.”

The room quiets further.

No one records openly now.

Kane moves toward the center.

“You think power means control. Sometimes it means everyone else gets to decide who you are before you open your mouth.”

I study his face.

The swagger is gone.

He isn’t debating to win anymore.

He’s telling me something.

I soften my voice.