Ruth felt embarrassed."What nonsense are you talking about, Ms. Campbell? We've counted all the votes here in front of everyone. Are you implying it's rigged? Are you suggesting I did that?!""I wouldn't dare say it's you, ma'am!" Maeve was sarcastic. "But the vote difference is too much. I won't believe it, no matter what! You didn't rig it, but maybe someone petty pulled a trick?""You…"Ruth was seething with rage. She was never good at dealing with troublemakers like her."Ms. Campbell, you'll have to face the consequences of your words." Maisie stood up, her tone calm as she looked at her. "I'd like to think I've never offended you in any way. The voting is public and transparent. If I were to manipulate the votes, how could I do it with everyone watching?"Maeve glared at her.Maisie was typically quiet, so everyone thought she was a pushover. However, what she said was valid. She wouldn't give in when faced with a predicament. That's why they respected her.Daniel was s
The meeting room went quiet when a tall, imposing figure walked in with an air of authority.Ruth felt relieved to see some support and hurried over to whisper, "Why are you so late?"Daniel's eyes were smiling, but the smile faded when he saw Maeve, replaced by an icy glare.Ruth cleared her throat and said loudly, "Today, we're not just revealing the vote count, but I'd also like to announce something."She produced a document with the school's seal and Daniel's signature on the final page."Mr. Quimby has invested 700,000 dollars in our kindergarten and is now the largest shareholder! We appreciate his contribution to early childhood education. We will stick to our original vision and not let Mr. Quimby down."The crowd exchanged puzzled looks, took a moment to absorb the surprising news, and then erupted in applause.Maisie, still trying to understand, felt her heart racing. Her cheeks flushed discreetly. When she met Daniel's intense gaze, she turned her face away, though h
Sophia arrived at the cafe as planned, and she immediately spotted the middle-aged woman with a hat by the window. She approached with a gentle smile. "Hello. Are you... Ms. Campbell?"Maeve looked up with a tired look. Sophia signaled for a cup of hot milk, replacing the strong coffee in front of Maeve. "Ms. Campbell, you shouldn't be drinking such strong coffee at your age. You must take care of your health.""Thank you," Maeve replied, her voice lacking energy. "Do you have something to discuss with me?"Maeve looked up. She had heard from others that Sophia was now Graham's love interest—divorced with a child, yet she still had a firm grip on Graham's heart.She assumed that Sophia must possess unique qualities, and toppling Maisie would be a piece of cake with her help."I..." Maeve licked her lips. "I don't know how to begin."After a pause, Sophia smiled. "Ms. Campbell, you're Graham's foundational teacher, and Graham treasures this student-teacher relationship. I feel the
Maisie took a sip but choked on it. The alcohol seemed to burst across her cheeks, leaving her normally rosy face with a seductive crimson hue.Daniel chuckled and walked over, gently patting her back while wiping away the wine stain from the corner of her mouth."Mr. Quimby..." Maisie maintained a cautious distance from him.Daniel didn't say much. Instead, he reached for her hand and led her to the floor-to-ceiling window.Maisie looked at him in puzzlement, only to see him clapping his hands.Suddenly, a myriad of fireworks burst to life in the navy night sky, their colors and shapes changing like a dream and showering the world below like falling stars.Maisie was left in awe, and her heart began to race uncontrollably."Do you like it?" Daniel's charismatic voice asked. "Close your eyes.""Huh?"He said with a smile, "I'm going to pick the stars for you."After the last burst of fireworks disappeared into the night sky with a bright trail, everything returned to tranquil
"Doesn't it?" Linda said urgently, "Your brother-in-law has already checked Arya's call records, and she contacted Fat Lawler before her disappearance. Daniel, your relationship with Fat Lawler is no secret to me."Daniel furrowed his brow. This matter was too peculiar, and he couldn't make sense of it at the moment."I'm close to Fat Lawler, but I have no issues with Arya... Linda, why are you suspecting me?""Daniel!" Linda's voice grew frantic. "I know you have a problem with Graham for what happened with Maisie. But, as you said, you have no grievances with Arya. You can't transfer your hatred for her brother onto her, can you?""Linda, are you out of your mind?" Daniel's expression darkened, and his voice became stern. "On what grounds are you suspecting me like this?"There was silence on the other end of the phone. Perhaps Linda was overwhelmed by Daniel's forceful response.After a pause, Linda softly said, "Can you... help the Bayers then?"Daniel snorted and hung up. A
Kelly began to cough violently and tried to reach for the alarm bell, but Sophia stopped her firmly before she could press it."Mrs. Bayer, I advise you to listen to me," Sophia said with a smile. "The food I've prepared isn't that bad, and I'm certainly not foolish enough to poison it. Don't worry. These are quality ingredients that will provide you with good nutrition. I'm here today to genuinely take care of you."Kelly clutched her chest as she cautiously sat up, her gaze alert. These past few days, Josiah was often absent. Whenever she asked what was happening, he merely mentioned it was related to the company and advised her not to worry. Despite that, she had an uneasy feeling.Kelly took a deep breath, attempting to calm herself and outwardly complying with Sophia."Mrs. Bayer, that's the right attitude," Sophia said, helping her with a cushion. "We'll be in-laws sooner or later. From now on, you need to get used to my presence!""Hah! My son must be blind," Kelly muttered
Josiah sat outside the hospital's emergency room in a chair, looking tired. His eyes were red as he stared intensely at the emergency room door. Once full of energy, he now seemed worn and aged.He clenched his fists tightly, but his body trembled uncontrollably. The corridor was eerily quiet, with no one in sight.He was unable to hold back any longer, and tears began to stream down his face."Josiah!"At that moment, a familiar voice came from nearby. Josiah struggled to his feet and saw Zephyr and Cordelia. His legs nearly gave way, and he almost fell.Zephyr quickly steadied him while Cordelia looked toward the emergency room, showing her concern and reassurance. "Don't worry. The medical team inside consists of Zennie and Seth's students. They are highly skilled. Kelly is usually well-cared for, and I'm sure nothing serious will happen to her.""What happened exactly?" Zephyr frowned. "How did her condition suddenly become so severe? And Arya..."Josiah grabbed Zephyr's han
"Wife?" Cordelia sneered. "Are you and Graham officially married? You intervened while Graham was still engaged to someone else, and even now, you're unofficial. Using the status 'wife' might just invite ridicule!""Mrs. Hamerton—""I suddenly remembered." Cordelia's gaze gleamed. "Were you the one by Kelly's side when she fainted?""Oh, yes." Sophie smiled. "I was visiting on Graham's behalf. I didn't expect Mrs. Bayer to be so weak.""What did you tell her before she fainted?" Cordelia questioned.Sophia was taken aback and lowered her gaze slightly."Afraid to tell me, huh?" Cordelia approached her. "Kelly has always maintained her health well, so she shouldn't have fainted so easily. She wouldn't be in the emergency room if she hadn't been deeply distressed."You were the only one with her when she fainted, and it's only natural for people to suspect you when your actions seem questionable.""Aunt Cordelia, please don't..." Graham pulled Sophia behind him and shot her a loo