Mr. Reynolds knew all too well that Jovie was just a kid from a run-of-the-mill family. It made no sense to him to ruffle the feathers of Drunham City's elite for her sake.He certainly was not about to cross the town's rich and powerful for an average Joe's kid!Lara, standing nearby, overheard Mr. Reynolds could not help but furrow her brow, whispering, "Mr. Reynolds, she's just started school. Isn't this kind of harsh?"Mr. Reynolds dabbed at the sweat on his brow, snorted with a sneer, and shot Lara a withering look. "Lara, are you challenging my authority? Remember, I'm the principal here. What's so bad about what we're doing, anyway? You think we should get on the bad side of all these VIPs over some nobody? You think we can handle that kind of heat?"Without giving Lara a chance to retort, he waved his hand dismissively and said, "Enough, I've made up my mind. Ms. Devens, get to the office and whip up an expulsion notice. Put it up on the bulletin board—better yet, slap it o
A bunch of parents were already hustling their kids toward the school's front gates, hoping to be the first to shake hands with the big shot as soon as they got out of the car.Mr. Reynolds and company had sprinted to the entrance early, standing off to the side with polite smiles plastered on their faces, eagerly awaiting the arrival.They had no clue which parent could possibly draw such a crowd of Drunham City's garrison soldiers for protection, but it was clear they were no ordinary people.As the sleek black sedan inched closer to the school, the crowd buzzed with guesses. Could it actually be Malcolm gracing the Guiding Star School with his presence?However, the folks gathered knew better, Malcolm's kid had been in high school for ages, and the Guiding Star School was an exclusive school for just the little ones, kindergarten through elementary.While Mr. Reynolds and the onlookers were busy guessing, the sedan had already glided to a halt right before their eyes.The few
'So, who exactly is he?'Just as everyone was speculating, the little boy who pushed Jovie suddenly shouted from within the crowd, "I know who those people are. It's that liar Jovie and her dad!"This little boy was doted on like a little prince since he was born. When he saw Jovie, whom he mocked before, arriving at school in a car bearing the Biskeland battle flag and escorted by so many armed soldiers, a surge of jealousy and resentment welled up inside him. As wealthy as his family was, he never rode in such a grand car with so many soldiers escorting him.'Why does that liar Jovie get to arrive at school in that car?'Jovie herself said her father was just a bodyguard. The boy could not stand the thought that the daughter of a mere bodyguard could have such a grand entourage when he never experienced anything like it. His jealousy made his face flush red.As soon as the boy shouted, everyone's eyes turned to him and his parents, and at the same time, everyone learned Liam's i
The parents present, upon hearing that these people were hired by Liam, immediately sneered and scoffed mockingly. Some even righteously joined Mr. Reynolds in criticizing Liam."Mr. Reynolds is right. As a parent, how can you teach your child to lie like this?""Exactly! How can it be acceptable to teach your child to lie? No wonder my child came home yesterday saying there was a kid at school who loved to lie. Turns out it's because you taught your kid to lie!""Yes, my child said the same thing. I thought it was just kids having a squabble. I didn't expect it to be true. How can you teach your daughter this way?""With a dad like you, no wonder Jovie likes to lie. Jovie must be expelled. I don't want my child to be around bad influences like her!""I agree! Expulsion is necessary. Such people don't deserve to stay at Guiding Star School!""Expel Jovie!"...Immediately, all the parents present shouted madly.Lara stood behind Mr. Reynolds, looking at Liam and Jovie in a daz
Mr. Reynolds's sneer deepened as he openly scrutinized Liam from head to toe before continuing, "For an ordinary family like yours, getting your child into our school must have taken quite some effort. If you had money, why didn't you show it earlier? You should know that parents start enrolling their children in our school as soon as they're four years old, yet you only send your daughter here when she's six years old. If you had the means, why didn't you enroll her sooner?"This statement immediately made the other parents understand the situation, and their eyes were filled with disdain as they looked at Liam.At that moment, the father of the boy who pushed Jovie also stepped forward with the boy in tow. He looked at Liam with contempt and mocked, "Not to criticize, but as a parent, how can you lie in front of your child? I saw you picking up your kid on a scooter worth a few hundred dollars yesterday, so how is it possible for you to come in a military vehicle today?"As a fell
"When was it changed?!" Liam demanded.Mr. Reynolds, growing increasingly impatient with Liam's persistence, snapped, "Just recently. I said your daughter doesn't qualify, and that's final. She's no longer a student here and has no right to stay. Leave immediately, or I'll call security."Seeing that Liam showed no intention of leaving, Mr. Reynolds angrily walked up to push them out. However, before he could get close, one of the armed soldiers stepped forward, pulled back the bolt of his gun, and pointed the black muzzle directly at Mr. Reynolds.Mr. Reynolds's heart pounded wildly with fear, but he quickly regained his composure and shouted angrily, "What do you think you're doing?! Do you think I don't know those are just toy guns? I warn you, this is a school, not a film set. Leave immediately, or else!"Liam's face darkened as he stared coldly at Mr. Reynolds. He then said in a chilling tone, "I'll give you one last chance to revoke my daughter's expulsion before I lose my pa
The intense sound of gunfire, like deafening thunder, instantly swept over the entire school. This sudden development frightened all the parents and children present, leaving many of them pale-faced. Some of them even burst into tears.Mr. Reynolds,being closest to Liam,felt the heat emanating from the gun muzzles in front of him. His face turned ashen, and cold sweat broke out on his forehead. The deafening gunfire rang in Mr. Reynolds's ears, and the realization hit him like a ton of bricks—they were real soldiers with real guns.Trembling violently, Mr. Reynolds's legs gave way, and he collapsed to the ground with a thud."Y-you- you- real guns?!" Mr. Reynolds stammered incoherently, his whole body shaking uncontrollably. The realization that just moments ago, he stared down the barrel of a real gun caused his bladder to lose control, and an immediately orange-yellow liquid puddled beneath him.The two parents who mocked Liam earlier were also trembling on the ground, their face
Jovie pouted slightly in response to Liam's question. There was still a hint of grievance in her eyes. She looked toward the trembling parents and the children who were scared to tears in the crowd."Dad, they all called me a liar yesterday. They even sang 'Liar, Liar, pants on fire' around me. And they also called you a stupid coward!"Then, in a very serious tone, Jovie continued, "I didn't lie! You're not a stupid coward, Dad! You're my superhero, aren't you, Dad?"Liam felt all warm and fuzzy inside to see Jovie defending him so earnestly. He smiled dotingly, pinched Jovie's little nose, and said, "Yes, I'm your superhero!"After that, Liam raised his head and looked at the parents who acted arrogantly moments before. The gentleness on his face quickly dissipated, replaced by coldness."Did you all hear that? Those who insulted my daughter yesterday better step forward and apologize. Otherwise, I'll be forced to take some drastic action. An apology isn't going to cut it then!"