Lahat ng Kabanata ng Side Chick Era… Over: Kabanata 351 - Kabanata 360

But these big and strong boys were different.They didn't just mock Theo or exclude him—they shoved him around whenever they got the chance. And Theo… he never stood a chance against the three of them.Bob watched Matty walk away. He felt smug.Turning back to Theo, he grinned, that mean, nasty grin kids have when they think they've won."Guess you're not doing so great at your new school either. Look, no one's coming to help you. Doesn't matter how smart you are or how good your grades are. No one likes you. What's the point?"The other day, I overheard my mom saying… your mom only finished middle school. What a joke. Guess you're not so high and mighty after all, huh?"Bet these kids here don't know what an embarrassment your mom is. But don't worry," Bob sneered, "they're gonna find out. Real soon."Matty had already turned to leave. But when he heard that… he stopped dead in his tracks.Slowly, he turned back. His eyes fixed on the three boys surrounding Theo. "What did you

Maybe it was because she hadn't seen Matty for a few days. Either way, Sharon suddenly missed him.She glanced at the time, hesitated for a moment, then decided she'd pick him up from school herself today.Ever since running into Theo and Kelly a few times outside the kindergarten, she'd stopped going in person. It was always the driver who handled pick-ups and drop-offs.Matty never once complained. Not a hint of disappointment. His understanding made her feel… worse, somehow.Somewhere along the line, she'd started loving Matty like her own. Maybe not the same way she once loved Theo—no. Not that kind of self-sacrificing, quietly suffering love. Not anymore.She packed a bag of handmade snacks and was just about to head out when her phone suddenly rang."Hello, are you Matty's guardian? There's been… an incident at the kindergarten. Could you come over immediately?"Her expression tightened. "I'm on my way."Sharon rushed out.But even before she reached the office, the soun

A flicker of panic crossed Mrs. Cosgrove's eyes. She didn't know exactly who Xavier was, but the way he carried himself—the weight of his presence—made it clear he was no ordinary person.While Sharon and Xavier stood watching the security footage, Carter and Kelly arrived.Even though Theo wasn't the one who threw the punch, the incident started because of him. The kindergarten had called his parents as well.Kelly, hearing something happened to Theo, immediately assumed Matty must've lost his temper and started a fight. Naturally, she followed.The moment they stepped into the office, they saw Sharon and Xavier reviewing the footage together.Kelly whispered to Theo, "Theo, did someone… bully you?"Theo hesitated, then shook his head.Her voice grew even gentler. "Theo, you don't have to be scared. Whoever hurt you… your dad and I will make sure they pay for it."Sharon didn't bother lifting her head. Honestly, wasting even a second of energy acknowledging Kelly felt beneath

When they tried calling back, no one picked up.Panic spread fast. The teachers and the principal glanced toward Carter, like drowning people reaching for the nearest lifeline."Mr. Biggs… you can't just leave us like this," the principal stammered. "We—we were just following your instructions!"Carter's face was still shadowed from that slap. His expression was dark, sharp-edged, barely controlled. "When," he asked coldly, "did I ever tell you to do this?"The principal was close to tears. "But the order did come from you—or at least that's what we were told…"Off to the side, Kelly's heart sank.The principal pressed on. "It was… Nate Hendricks. He said it himself—told us directly. He's been your friend for years. We… we're just ordinary people. How could we possibly afford to offend someone like him… or you?"Carter's face turned stormy. He pulled out his phone and dialed. "Get over here. Now."No explanation. No room for questions. He hung up.Kelly's fingers itched toward

Theo spoke quietly, "Telling Mom wouldn't have changed anything. She was tripped by those men, and not a single person stood up for her. No one defended her. Instead, everyone laughed at her. Mom is weak… She doesn't have the power to solve these problems for me."And just now…when Bob's mom found out Mom was Matty's guardian, Bob's mom demanded that Matty kneel and apologize. She wasn't scared of Mom at all." His hands clenched at his sides. "If it had been me who messed up today… would she have told me to kneel too?"Both Carter and Xavier turned to look at Mrs. Cosgrove.Mrs. Cosgrove's face drained of all color, legs visibly shaking under their stares.Theo's voice dropped lower, "Grandma always says… I'm the future heir of the Biggs family. I have to handle things on my own. I can't run to the adults every time something goes wrong."Xavier's dark eyes deepened, as though some storm was brewing quietly behind them.A child raised in love was so different from one who lacked