جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 70

Beau kept a straight face and issued a stern warning to his group of friends. "None of you are allowed to play with Bambi!"The kids lined up in perfect formation and saluted him in unison. "Yes, sir!"Elara noticed Merida's expression shift as she looked toward the school gate."Merida?" she called softly.Merida tightened her grip on the straps of her backpack, forcing her voice to sound lighthearted as she said, "Mommy, I'm going to school now! Bye-bye!"She then spotted her usual playmate and ran over excitedly. "Shirley!"Shirley Moore glanced at her, then quickly looked away and sped up her pace.Merida caught up to her, eager to share the news. "Shirley, guess what? I changed my name! I'm not Bambi anymore—I'm Merida Jones now! I took my mom's last name.""Don't talk to me." Shirley veered to the side, putting distance between them.Merida stopped in her tracks, completely stunned. "Shirley, what's wrong?"Shirley hesitated for a moment before lowering her voice. "Beau

Merida lowered her head, gripping the hem of her shirt with both hands. She didn't think she had done anything wrong, but her impulsiveness had caused trouble for Elara.Elara placed a reassuring hand on Merida's shoulder, standing as her invisible shield. "My daughter did not hit anyone.""She did!" Beau shouted, waving his arms wildly and pointing at Merida. "Bambi hit me! You're a terrible woman! A biased hypocrite! You must be blind if you didn't see her hit me!"Elara's voice was firm. "I demand to review the surveillance footage at the school gate. It's the students who slander and falsely accuse others that should be punished!"Her gaze toward Beau held the cold detachment one would have for a stranger.James spread his hands with a casual shrug. "The cameras are broken. Beau has been awarded All-Around Star for three consecutive years. He's Summit Academy's best student—I believe him."James then turned to the parents gathered around. "Did any of you see Merida hit Beau j

James was completely dumbfounded. Why were so many reporters suddenly gathered at the school gate?They were all crowding around Elara—had she called them here?However, how could a woman cast out by the Fisher family have the influence to summon so many journalists?Confusion flickered across his face as he said, "I didn't receive any interview requests. This is all staged! The footage you recorded isn't real!"He turned to the petite female reporter with an ingratiating smile. "Miss, please, come inside! I'll personally give you a tour and explain the rich history of Summit Academy!"The reporter completely ignored him. "We're not here to interview you! We just refuse to stand by and watch what you've done!"James frowned. "Then why are you all gathered at the school entrance?"The moment he finished speaking, he saw the petite reporter push through the crowd, rushing toward the journalists surrounding Elara.Rosalie's voice rose in alarm. "What's going on? Did Elara call rep

"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—it's 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 th

When Elara was admitted to Hawke University, Desmond was still the secretary of the university's administrative department.She had been his most promising student. She had enrolled at Hawke University at just 14. To lessen the financial burden on her foster parents, she would attend classes during the day and take on part-time jobs in the evenings under a false age.Desmond had found out and brought her back, giving her a stern lecture. He urged her to focus on her studies, telling her that with her abilities, she could use knowledge to gain a future far beyond anything she could imagine at the time.The year Elara pursued her doctorate at Capitol University, Desmond had also been promoted.He waved her off as he stood at the gates of Hawke University."Elara Lloyd, this is where I see you off. I know you'll reach heights I could never dream of. And when you stand at the peak, looking down at the world, you'll see me cheering for you."Six years later, their paths crossed again—