The cat curled up quietly."Miss Middleton didn't seem to be lying. She's been around Young Mr. Walker for a while. If he had confessed and she liked him too, being young and passionate, they would've already been inseparable.""You just said that he was too reserved to express his feelings," Mrs. Walker said irritably."What I meant was, even if Young Mr. Walker likes Miss Middleton, she wouldn't know it.""As long as Luke cares about her, having her in my control means he won't dare act rashly. Whether she knows about his feelings doesn't matter.""What if she's not the one he likes?" David started the car. "She’s a close friend of Wendy Smith. If we push too hard and she confides in Wendy, someone with Wendy's temperament won't stand by quietly.""You think I'm afraid of some girl?""A girl who was once a top PR expert and knows how to sway public opinion."In today's digital age, once something hits the internet, it's hard to control."Sarah is useless! Married into the Sm
Speaking of Ian, Mr. Lloyd looked troubled. "I once tried to take him to a therapist. At the office door, he asked if I thought he was mentally ill. Looking into his eyes, I couldn't go through with it and took him home.""He's still young. Even if he did those things, with the right approach, we can help him change."Mr. Lloyd's eyes filled with gratitude.He sent me the teacher's contact information. After preparing the meeting materials, I drove to Sunshine Kindergarten.The security guard stopped me at the entrance, so I called the teacher."Why didn't his father come?" she complained."He's working.""No matter how busy work is, you can't neglect a child's education! His behavior is already problematic. If not addressed now, he'll cause bigger troubles later!""You're right. We must prioritize his education."The teacher spoke to the guard, who then let me in.When I asked about Ian's classroom, the guard said, "Oh, that kid! He's infamous for causing trouble here. Many
My words "Don't be scared" angered Jasmine's mother. "After all the bad things he's done, he's the one who's scared?""Until this matter is resolved, please don't attack him verbally."Though Jasmine's mother was already restraining herself, and I understood her protective instincts, I couldn't let her accuse Ian before we knew the truth."What's there to investigate?" The young teacher protested. "Jasmine's backpack was found at Ian's desk. When another student returned it to her desk, we heard firecrackers going off. Many students and teachers witnessed this.""If I remember correctly, these firecrackers only make noise when thrown hard against the ground. Which student found Jasmine's backpack, and who returned it?""Why are you asking this?""I suspect whoever returned the backpack knew about the firecrackers and deliberately dropped it hard on the desk.""The backpack was found at Ian's desk. How could the student returning it know about the firecrackers?""Because that
"I've told you, Paul didn't do it!"Mrs. Cornell grew frantic, repeatedly insisting her child was timid and well-behaved, afraid of frogs and mice, and would never act out."If guarantees meant anything," I said, "I could also vouch that Ian has never hurt his classmates.""Ian—""Mr. Lloyd never bought him firecrackers. What about your son? With security cameras everywhere and mobile payments being so common, it's easy to track where you've been and what you've bought." I took out my phone. "The police are better at investigating these things than we are.""You're calling the police?" Mrs. Cornell's face paled further. "That's wasting public resources over nothing!""Are you trying to stop us because you're guilty?" Jasmine's mom rubbed her daughter's back. "As a parent, I need a proper explanation for why this keeps happening in class.""Mrs—" The principal looked at me, unsure how to address me."I'm Jen Middleton, Mr. Lloyd's assistant."“Jasmine’s mother, Ms. Middleton, p
"I...""Mrs. Cornell, just be quiet!"The principal knew this couldn't be smoothed over and looked at Mrs. Cornell with disappointment."Principal, Paul—""Save it. The police will uncover the truth.""No wonder whenever parents asked to see security footage, we only saw it the first time," Jasmine's mother said angrily. "Every other time, you claimed the cameras were unplugged. You were destroying evidence.""Children learn from example. Paul learned bad behavior from Ian! This is the only time he did anything wrong!"Mrs. Cornell thought there was no evidence of Paul's previous misdeeds."You bought Paul a hamster," I said."No... no, I didn't," Mrs. Cornell stammered."Stop lying!" Jasmine's mother glared at her. "Do you keep frogs and mice at home too?""Who would keep those as pets?""So Paul caught them outside? A child might catch frogs, but mice would be harder. Do you have mouse traps at home?""Denying it won't help," said Jasmine's mother. "The police will be he
"There are many ways to protect friends.""I know! But I'm still little, and this was the only way I could think of."Ian's innocent eyes and childish voice struck my heart. Suppressing my anger, I looked at Mrs. Cornell, who sat watching the police interview.As a mother herself, Jasmine's mom's eyes reddened. "This sweet child took the blame for your son all this time. How could you be so heartless?"When Mrs. Cornell tried to defend herself, the principal cut in: "Modern forensics are advanced. Even with deleted security footage, they have other ways to find the truth."Unlike Ian, Paul acted innocent, protected by his mother's position, claiming he knew nothing."Do you like animals?" the officer asked."Of course! They're so cute. Doesn't everyone like them?""Even frogs and mice?"Paul answered quickly, "Frogs eat pests, so I like them. But mice spread diseases, so we can't touch them.""So you can touch frogs but not mice?""We can't touch them either! We should prote
"I never said those things to Ian. He made it all up."Jasmine's mom snapped, "Now I see where your son learned to lie."Mrs. Cornell opened her mouth but had nothing to say. As she tried to leave, Jasmine's mom grabbed her arm. "You're not going anywhere until the police finish their investigation!""Not even to the bathroom?""I'll go with you."The principal looked troubled. From what I'd observed, she seemed decent - at least her apology had been sincere.Jasmine's mom watched vigilantly from the doorway.Mrs. Cornell stopped at the office where Paul was being questioned."Now she worries about her child? Why didn't she raise him properly before?""Jen, will Mrs. Cornell still teach us?""No. No kindergarten will hire her. You and Patricia will have a new teacher. Next time anything like this happens, tell Mr. Lloyd right away."Ian stayed quiet."It's Mr. Lloyd's first time being a father. We can be generous and forgive him this once," I said, gently pinching his cheek
During dinner, I was a bit distracted, but little Ian sweetly helped me peel shrimp and served me soup - such a thoughtful boy.Mr. Lloyd didn't say much, but his presence was impossible to ignore. He kept glancing at his son with loving, doting eyes.After dinner, he offered to drive me home."Mr. Lloyd, I drove here actually. Thank you for dinner." I said goodbye to Ian and walked toward my car."Dad, don't be sad. Maybe next time she'll let you drive her home!"Mr. Lloyd: ...I hadn't walked far when I heard Ian's comment. Thankfully, my back was turned - otherwise, I wouldn't have been able to hold back my laughter.My mood lifted a bit as I drove home. Luke was walking his dog near my house. Just as I was about to head inside, I noticed Emily waving at me.I considered pretending not to see her, but she quickly walked to my car and greeted me with a smile.You can't ignore a friendly face - I lowered my window."Just getting off work, Ms. Middleton?""The office close