Chapter 68
+25 BONUS
“I’ve made up my mind,” Elara said firmly. “Even if you change your decision now and allow my daughter to re- enroll at Summit Academy, you are still the biggest tumor and festering wound in this school!
“I will never let my daughter stay in a school run by someone like you!”
She didn’t hesitate to condemn James in front of all the reporters.
James‘ face turned red and then pale as his breathing grew rapid. He pointed at Elara and addressed the reporters.
“You all heard her! It’s not me forcing her daughter out–its Elara who doesn’t want her to stay at Summit Academy! Make sure you report that correctly!”
The school gate was already congested with parked cars, some belonging to parents and others to media personnel. No one even noticed when a few more MPVs pulled up.
Inside one of them, Desmond snapped out of his thoughts and glanced out the window. The sight of the grand school gate made his eyes widen in shock.
“Why did you drive here?” he demanded.
He turned back and saw that the other cars from his department had followed right behind him. His heart sank further.
The driver, looking confused, responded, “Mr. Snapp told me you were going to Summit Academy.”
Desmond whipped his head toward the man sitting next to him.
Theodore, dressed sharply in a suit, lounged in his seat with an air of nonchalance. Sunlight streamed through the window, casting a soft golden outline along the contours of his face.
He leisurely turned to meet Desmond’s furious gaze.
Desmond, ever the composed professional, barely restrained himself from cursing out loud. “We’ve already arrived at Summit Academy. Time for you to get out.”
“You’re the one who’s getting out,” Theodore stated.
Desmond shot back, growing exasperated. “Are you messing with me? What do you expect me to do here? You even dragged the entire Office of Compliance and Ethics along!”
Regret gnawed at him. He had run into Theodore earlier at City Hall and learned that he was heading to the Prosecutor’s Office. Thinking he could take advantage of the ride, he had enthusiastically offered to give Theodore a lift.
He’d casually pulled out Summit Academy’s principal’s file along the way, hoping to squeeze in a free legal consultation. Never in his wildest dreams did he expect Theodore to redirect the driver straight to the school.
And now, the Office of Compliance and Ethics officials in the vehicles behind had blindly followed, assuming Desmond was leading the way.
Theodore handed his phone to Desmond. “The ALI Math Competition’s preliminary rankings have been released.”
Desmond was too preoccupied with planning his escape to listen to Theodore. “Get us to the Prosecutor’s Office!”
Unbothered, Theodore continued, “Elara Jones took first place.”
Desmond’s expression flickered for a brief moment. But the hardened lines of his square face remained steady.
1/2
+25 BONUS
Chapter 68
Theodore’s gaze drifted past him, now out the window.
“Look–she’s at the school gate right now, giving an interview. There are so many cameras on her. She didn’t let you down, did she?”
Desmond slowly turned his head. There, standing in the crowd, was indeed Elara.
She was speaking to James, unwavering in her stance. Her presence was strong and commanding. Meanwhile, James‘ face was visibly tense, struggling to maintain composure.
“You came to Summit Academy because of Elara?” Desmond asked, reading the situation.
Theodore pressed a document folder against Desmond’s hand.
“You already knew the principal would make trouble for her daughter today. Instead of going to the Prosecutor’s Office to file a report against him, I’d rather see you stand in front of her and turn the situation around yourself. “Just like you did back at Hawke University–when you protected her as a kid.”
A thin mist clouded Desmond’s eyes. Memories from long ago surged through him in an instant. Tilting his head slightly, he gave Theodore a long, scrutinizing look–tinged with a hint of exasperation. How was it that the Snapp family’s brat could cut straight through to his heart with just a few words? Desmond picked up the folder containing the evidence against Summit Academy’s principal.
With a wry smile, he said, “Unlike your father, I truly see her as my daughter. Now that she’s divorced, I have to step forward and remind her–she is not alone.”
With that, he pushed open the car door and stepped out.
