Chapter 403
“Apologize to Merida!”
“Ms. Fisher, you promised! You can’t go back on your word!
The children surrounded Rosalie, their voices overlapping as they confronted her. Her stiff expression began to crack under the pressure. Nearby, even the parents raised their phones to record the scene.
“What did this Fisher woman do to make class 1B’s kids block her like this?” someone murmured.
“You told Merida that if she won the grand prize, you’d let Paisley have snacks with us. Are you breaking that promise too?” one child asked.
Paisley stared at Rosalie with red–rimmed eyes. This was an opportunity Elara and Merida had fought hard to secure for her–yet her mother refused to honor it.
“Daddy…”
Clutching Harold’s pant leg, Paisley called out softly, hoping for even a shred of his sympathy.
Hout son
Harold frowned in confusion. “What snacks?”
Rosalie’s face darkened with irritation.
“Elara made a bet with me–if Merida won first place, not only would I have to apologize publicly, but… They’re forcing me to abandon Paisley’s dietary regimen!
“Elara wants to destroy everything we’ve built for our daughter’s purity!”
Hearing this, Harold hesitated. His large hand rested atop Paisley’s head.
From the moment she learned she was carrying a daughter, Rosalie had committed to an ultra–restrictive diet plan to avoid anything “impure“. After Paisley’s birth, she’d even rejected standard formula for homemade soy blends.
Her control over Paisley’s diet was strict. Though the school accommodated Paisley’s vegan needs for lunches and snacks, Rosalie complained that the portions
were too large
The teachers couldn’t comply with her demands–giving Paisley just a few vegetables and two or three pieces of fruit for lunch. If the child’s health suffered as a result, the school would be held responsible.
Each day, Rosalie delivered precisely measured meals in sterile containers. Snacks were forbidden entirely. Harold thought about how his daughter’s slender frame, maintained through years of strict veganism, contrasted sharply with meat–eating girls like Merida. She almost stood a full head taller and was nearly twice Paisley’s size.
Only by remaining vegan could Paisley preserve her delicate, childlike appearance. Though Harold knew long- term veganism might affect her health, he supported Rosalie’s decision–for their daughter’s looks and future prospects.
His face darkened instead. Who was Elara to question their parenting? What a nosy busybody! “Paisley,” he asked abruptly, “do you want to eat like the other children?”
Paisley’s lips trembled but remained sealed. The last time she’d expressed such desires, Rosalie had locked her in the pantry for hours.
Harold’s grip tightened. “If you start eating their food, you’ll never have a sibling. This discipline is what makes our family special.”
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Chapter 403
+25 BONUS
As he spoke, he scooped Paisley into his arms. No circle of children could stop them from leaving
“Wait.” A man’s voice cut through the chatter.
Harold turned to see Harvey approaching with Beau in his arms.
Harvey’s eyes were dark and fathomless as a frozen lake. His oppressive auta made Harold tense instinctively the moment he drew near.
“Call your wife back here!” Harvey’s command left no room for refusal.
