Chapter 404
The moment Harold spotted Harvey, he froze like a mouse cornered by a cat.
“Rosalie! Get over here now,” he hissed under his breath.
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Rosalie had already reached the exit when she turned to call for Harold–only to find Harvey looming over him. Harold frantically widened his eyes at her, jerking his chin toward Harvey.
Rosalie pressed her lips into a thin line but had no choice but to walk back.
Meanwhile, Harvey stood like a walking freezer, his chilling aura radiating outward. “Go up there and apologize to Elara.”
“Harvey, how could you…” Rosalie’s face twisted in disbelief.
Harvey and Elara were already divorced–why was he still taking her side?
“I’m your cousin!” she protested.
“Tch.”
Lesley, still seated with her arms crossed, raised an eyebrow and let out a derisive click of her tongue.
She glanced at Theodore and nudged him. “The ex–husband’s playing hero. Aren’t you going to do something?”
Theodore remained relaxed, his gaze never leaving Elara. “This is Elara’s battle. All I need to do is watch her… step by step, as she ascends to the stage.”
Following his line of sight, Lesley turned just in time to see Elara walking onto the platform. Her eyes widened in surprise–she couldn’t fathom what Elara was planning.
Then she heard Theodore’s quiet assessment, “Harvey thinks he can swoop in and save the day, but all he’s doing is overshadowing Elara’s moment.
“The bet was between Elara, Merida, and Rosalie. In their showdown, what right does he have to interfere?” Meanwhile, Xavier sat quietly between Theodore and Lesley, his small hands resting properly on his knees, feet still dangling slightly above the floor. His gaze remained fixed on Elara with unwavering focus.
Holding Merida’s hand, Elara stepped back onto the stage and picked up the microphone, switching it or with a soft click.
“I sincerely apologize for interrupting everyone’s event.”
Her clear voice carried through the speakers, filling every corner of the auditorium. Parents, teachers, and children all turned their attention toward her.
Even Rosalie, who had been arguing with Harvey, looked toward the stage. Harvey turned as well, his brow furrowing in confusion at Elara’s sudden appearance.
“…Last week, Rosalie Fisher conspired with dance teacher Darcie Roman to exclude my daughter Merida from class 1B’s performance. Forced out of the Swan Lake production, Merida had no choice but to start from scratch- developing an entirely new act all on her own.
“I’d also like to take this chance to thank my brother, Finn, for his support.”
Elara turned slightly, her warm gaze settling on Finnegan.
Standing near the stage wings, Finnegan met her eyes as his tall frame was partially obscured by the deep red
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Chapter 404
curtains. His sharp, striking features softened just slightly as he gave her a firm nod–silent but unmistakable encouragement.
A faint smile touched Elara’s lips before she continued.
“Now, Merida has earned the grand prize through her own efforts, and it’s time for Ms. Rosalie to honor her promise.
“Merida deserves an apology. And I want to take this opportunity to ensure Paisley finally gets what every child should have–balanced, nutritious meals and snacks, just like her classmates.”
“Elara Jones! What the hell are you trying to do?” Rosalie’s bulging eyes burned with rage, bloodshot veins stark against the whites.
Elara’s appearance on stage–her deliberate, damning words–sent a jolt of panic through Rosalie. She knew, with sickening certainty, that whatever came next would destroy her!
“…I came up here today to teach my daughter an important lesson. Some people’s apologies are worthless. Never wait for those who hurt you to say they’re sorry.
“When you succeed, those who once targeted you might apologize–but only because they’re intimidated by your strength. And then there are those too shameless to ever admit they were wrong.
She knelt to meet Merida at eye level, her expression was solemn as she said to Merida, “Merida, the reason encouraged you to stand on this stage wasn’t just to shine it was to give you the power to expose her. To make sure everyone knows exactly what she did.”
Then, with deliberate calm, Elara handed the microphone to her daughter. At this moment, Rosalie’s vision went red at the edges.
