Ella hadn’t wanted to reveal her evidence so early, but under Mrs. Pratt’s watchful eyes, she produced it.Ms. Darla had arranged the meeting, warned Ella, and when that failed, staged the injury.The recording devices and notes were standard tools for a reporter on assignment. Recording phone calls from news tips was routine.Confronted with Ella’s evidence, Ms. Darla froze.Christine was embarrassed, her toes gripping the ground. Ms. Darla had been careless, thinking she was helping her charge—but Ella had already caught her in the act.Christine averted her gaze, unwilling to look at Ms. Darla.Mrs. Pratt scolded, “How can you act this way? The matter between Ella and Christine is just a minor misunderstanding between two young women. What are you doing?”“Ma’am, I… I just care about Christine, that’s why—”“Enough. Apologize to Ella, now!”Ms. Darla hesitated.Mrs. Pratt warned, “Keep this up, and you won’t be staying with the Pratt family anymore!”Ms. Darla, unwilling to leave,
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