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Semua Bab Classmate's Triumph and CEO's Regret: Bab 1 - Bab 9

9 Bab

Chapter 1

The parent-teacher conference had just wrapped up.I wove through the crowd to find the head teacher. "Ms. Kerr, can we talk about my daughter, Sophie Sloan?"Stuffing papers, Heather Kerr barely looked up."Oh, what's the issue?""She's been coming home in tears. Emery and his posse keep dumping water in her backpack, scribbling on her face with markers."She waved dismissively. "It's just kids' horseplay. No need to make a fuss."I couldn't believe my ears. I pressed, "Her backpack gets drenched. Her pencils and notebooks go missing. You call that horseplay?""Parents these days are so high-strung," she sighed. "Emery is a spirited kid. It's a privilege that he even notices Sophie. His mother runs Mills Group. Be thankful he gives Sophie the time of day.""Thankful?" I countered, my fists balling up. "She is being bullied, and you call it a privilege?"Heather's eyes narrowed, her patience thinning. "You're overreacting. Emery's mother donated generously to this school, and

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Chapter 2

I stormed out of the office and headed to the parking lot to get Sophie home.But the exit was jammed.I peered out and saw a crowd clogging the road. I stepped out of the car for a closer look.It was a gaggle of well-dressed parents fawning over a man in the center."Excuse me," I said, "could you clear the way?"The group turned, their eyes scanning me with naked contempt. A beefy guy with a gold chain barked, "We're talking to Mr. Carey. Who are you to interrupt?"Jack Carey glanced at me, then at my weathered sedan. A sneer crept onto his face. "Look at this nobody, acting like he owns the place."The others piled on, their voices a chorus of snobbery."Know your lane, buddy.""Mr. Carey is connected to the CEO of the Mills Group and is worth billions. Be silent in your junker.""Wise up and beat it."Ten years ago, I stepped out of the spotlight for Olivia and Sophie, pouring everything into their happiness.Mills Group was just a small company I'd bought to cheer Oli

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Chapter 3

I turned to see Emery strutting from the school gates, his designer uniform pristine, his smirk dripping with arrogance.Jack ruffled his hair. "Perfect timing, bud. This guy claims our car is his. What's your take?""I know his type," Emery scoffed, his tone too old for his years. "A kid in my class brags about being loaded but can't even afford a decent toy."He sized me up like I was roadkill. "Mister, you know how much this car costs? My mom says it's worth a house. Look in the mirror and tell me you can afford it."He jabbed a finger at my jacket. "Your whole outfit is cheaper than my sneakers, and you're saying our car is yours?""Total loser!" he jeered, sticking out his tongue. "My mom says people like you should stay out of sight. You're an eyesore."Jack roared with laughter. "That's my boy. Scram, pal, before you make a bigger fool of yourself."I stared at them, simmering with rage. Their family education was questionable. No normal kids talked like that.Sophie got

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Chapter 4

Jack whipped out his phone and dialed a number.The call connected instantly, and he said sweetly, "Olivia, babe."My stomach churned. Every time I called her, it went straight to voicemail, her texts claiming she was buried in meetings or too slammed to talk.Yet she answered Jack's call before the first ring finished.He spoke briefly and hung up, grinning at me. "My wife's coming. Don't you dare run."Minutes later, a white BMW X7 pulled up. Olivia stepped out, her face a mask of cold authority.Jack rushed to her side, playing the victim. "Honey, you're here. This psycho is causing a scene. Says our car is his, and he roughed up Emery."Emery held up his wrist, showing faint marks. "Mom, he was so mean. He snatched my knife and squeezed my arm."Olivia patted his back. "Don't worry, sweetheart. I'll handle this.""That's the guy!" Jack scowled, pointing at me. "He is unhinged, and his daughter is no better. Make them disappear."The parents jumped in, their accusations fl

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Chapter 5

Five minutes later, sirens wailed as three police cars roared into the lot.A middle-aged man hopped out of the lead car and saluted me. "Mr. Sloan, you good? Who is the knucklehead stealing your car?"I pointed at Jack. "Him. Says my Maserati is his."Bruce Guzman looked over, narrowing his eyes. "We checked the registration. The car belongs to Chris Sloan. Got proof it's yours?"Jack's bravado cracked. He stammered, "I've got the keys."Bruce folded his arms. "You can get those copied anywhere. That doesn't count."Jack spun to Olivia, desperate. "Tell them you gave me the car for my birthday."But her face drained of color, her lips trembling like she was fighting to find words that wouldn't come.Bruce waited a beat, then shook his head. "Looks like she's got nothing to say."He waved to his team. "Cuff him for suspected vehicle theft."Two officers rushed up to grab Jack's arms. He thrashed, yelling, "Olivia, say something! Don't let them take me. Emery can't handle it w

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Chapter 6

"No, this isn't true," Jack mumbled. "He can't be your husband."The parents who'd been kissing up to him stood frozen, their faces a mix of shock and embarrassment."Pretty clear now," Bruce declared. "You took someone else's car and passed it off as yours. That's fraud and theft."He motioned for the officers to haul Jack to the station for questioning.A shrill voice pierced the air. "Stop! What are you doing?"Heather shoved through the crowd, her face red with indignation. "You can't just arrest people. Do you know who this gentleman is? He is the father of our best student and the husband of Olivia Mills."She turned to me, spluttering, "I told you not to blow kids' squabbles out of proportion, and you involved the police? This is pure spite."Her outburst stirred the crowd again. Some parents, still clueless, shot me suspicious glares.I let out a bitter laugh. "They're a couple? Are you so sure about that?""Of course," she blurted out. "He said so at the meeting, and

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Chapter 7

A man in a crisp suit pushed through the crowd, his face all business."Mr. Sloan, you okay?"It was my lawyer, Thomas Reed, his briefcase swinging at his side."I've got the evidence you asked for," he continued, raising his voice so everyone could hear. "On September 15, 2024, Olivia Mills wired $100,000 to Heather Kerr, with a note: Thanks for taking special care of Emery."The crowd exploded, their voices a mix of shock and outrage."$100,000? Unbelievable!""No wonder Emery is so reckless. The teacher is on the payroll.""She shouldn't be near our kids."Heather waved her hands frantically. "No, it's not a bribe! You're twisting it!"Bruce stepped forward. "Bribery and favoritism are crimes, Ms. Kerr. We'll investigate both you and Mr. Carey."A middle-aged woman shoved forward, jabbing a finger at Heather. "My son got bullied by Emery three times this semester. Every time I came to you, you called it a prank. Now I see why. You were paid off."Another parent spoke up. "M

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Chapter 8

The parents watched, stunned, as the once-mighty CEO groveled in the dirt.Jack looked at her, his face a mix of shock and bitterness.Olivia whirled on him and yelled, "This mess is all your fault!"Jack recoiled. "My fault? You chose me!""Nonsense!" Olivia clawed at her hair. "You kept whispering that Chris wasn't good enough? You told me I deserved better.""You bought every word," Jack shot back. "And all that cash? It was for Emery, not me."Olivia's laugh was sharp and bitter. "Oh, please. That Mercedes was for Emery? That fancy condo, too?"Jack's face flushed crimson. "You gave me those willingly."Olivia pointed, her voice cracking with rage. "You're nothing but a leech! All you do is mooch off women!"Jack's temper flared. "And you're so noble? You chased me and called Chris a glorified maid. Said he didn't deserve you. Now you're backtracking?"They tore into each other, airing their dirty laundry for all to hear.The crowd watched, slack-jawed, as the drama unfo

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Chapter 9

Olivia watched with despair as the police hauled away Heather and Jack."Chris, is there really no chance for us?" she cried.I crouched down, meeting her eyes. "Three years ago, you wanted to prove yourself. I gave you that shot. You wanted a career, so I handed over my company. You wanted your own circle, so I stepped back and gave you freedom. You failed my trust and hurt Sophie. Do you think you deserve another chance?"I stood up, my heart heavy but resolute. "We're done. The divorce agreement will be delivered to you tomorrow."I lifted Sophie and walked away, Olivia's cries fading behind us.A month later, word got around that Olivia was working as a clerk at a small firm, earning a modest salary. It was a far cry from her CEO days.Jack was sentenced to three years for fraud. Heather was fired and given two years' probation for bribery. Emery was reunited with his biological mother in their hometown.Sophie and I started fresh. I enrolled her in a new school, where she m

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