The chaotic scene suddenly became silent as all eyes turned toward the sound of the volce
Seth walked in with a grim expression, his piercing eyes burning with a deadly flame that carried a terrifying and domineering aura.
Even the woman was frightened by his commanding presence and stammered, “Who are you? What right do you have to interfere?
Seth reped in any icy tone, “I have every right when you’re causing a scene and disrupting the class.”
The woman sneered. “This school is sponsored by the Parker family. My husband is a good friend of the CEO of Parker Group; even Mr. Danes wouldn’t dare to cross me. Who the hell do you think you are?”
The crowd murmured in agreement. “Mrs. Langford has connections with the CEO of Parker Group. It’s best not to cross her, or your kid’s future might
be affected.”
“Yeah. If her son managed to get into the gifted class, she must have ties with the Parker family.
ΠΕ
The woman, named Christine, raised her chin proudly. “Hear that? Stay out of my business, or I’ll make sure your lad is expelled from this school!”
Seth upon hearing this, curled his lips into a smirk. “And who is your husband?”
Christine laughed. “Why? Scared now? My husband is Aaron Langford, the financial director of Parker Group. He could have you removed from this school in minutes!”
In face of her threats, Seth remained calm, took out his phone, and dialed a number.
‘Bring Aaron Langford to me now.”
Seeing this, Christine scoffed. “Hah! Who do you think you are? As if my husband would listen to you. Unless you’re the CEO of Parker Group..”
Just as her words fell, Aaron burst into the classroom. He grabbed Christine by the coller and slapped her hard across the face.
Through clenched teeth, he scolded, “You stupid woman! You’ve just offended Mr. Parker! Apologize to him right now!”
Startled by the slap, Christine held her cheek and stared at Aaron in disbelier, “He’s your boss?”
“Of course he is! I just went to the principal’s office for five minutes, and you’ve already created this mess Just wait until we get home!”
Aaron had asked Christine to take Simon to class while he met with Horace to transfer Simon to a regular class, as suggested by Layla
However, he was suddenly interrupted by a call from Seth’s assistant saying that his wife had offended Seth and was causing a scene in the classroom. He rushed over from the principal’s office in a panic
Christine’s face turned pale. She had often heard from Aaron that his boss was ruthless and unforgiving, and that anyone that crossed him would suffer the consequences.
Bowing her head, she apologized, “I’m sorry, Mr. Parker. I was wrong. I didn’t realize who you were. Please forgiven
Looking at the red marks on Layla’s face and hand, Seth’s tone turned even colder. “A parent disrupting the school’s order, verbally assaulting a teacher, and physically attacking her in front of students. Mr. Danes, how would you handle this?”
Horace was so frightened that beads of sweat formed on his forehead. “According to the school’s policy, the parent must publicly apologize to the teacher and seek the teacher’s forgiveness. Otherwise, the student will be expelled.”
Christine hurriedly ran over to Layla, gripped her hand desperately, and pleaded, “Ms. Jenkins, I was too impulsive just now. I shouldn’t have hit you. I sincerely apologize! If you’re still upset, you can hit me back. Please don’t let my son get expelled; he really loves this school”
Layla’s gaze remained cold, devoid of sympathy. “Mrs. Langford, when you were insulting my daughter and calling me vulgar names, the consequences then?”
did you
“I’m sorry. I was wrong. I apologize to you and your daughter. I shouldn’t have said those things. Please, forgive me. Don’t take this out on my
Christine’s pitiful appearance moved some of the other parents, and they began speaking up for her.
“Ms. Jenkins, she knows she was wrong Just forgive her. This was all just a
ta misunderstanding.”
“Yeah. Don’t punish the child for the parent’s mistake. He’s innocent and doesn’t deserve to be dragged into this.”
Leyla’s expression hardened. “Well, did my daughter deserve to be dragged into this? When Mrs. Langford pointed at her when the stomped on hier picture, did anyone think that she was also innocent?
son
er nose and called her a mute, and.
“Why didn’t anyone speak up then? Now, you want me to be the bigger person? Just because I’m a teacher, does it mean I don’t have the right to detend my own child?”
Layla’s words silenced all the parents in the room.
Facing the crowd, Layla continued, “If you want me to forgive her, tell me who’s behind this. I don’t believe that after being here for only two days, I’ve already earned so much hatred.”
Upon hearing this, Christine was the first to show panic. She quickly shook her head and said, “No, it was my own fault for overreacting. I’ve always bern jealous of anyone who got close to my husband. Ms. Jenkins, It’s all my fault; no one else was involved.”
Layla sneered. “Is that so? It was your husband that came to pick Simon up yesterday, so how did you get that photo? Who sent it to you?”
“A friend sent it to me.”
“And is that friend’s name Clarissa Price?”
At the mention of Clarissa’s name, not only was Christine taken aback, even Seth’s gaze darkened instantly. He glanced at Layla’s solemn tace and asked, “What did you say?”
Layla mer his gaze, her tone laced with mockery as she asked, “What’s wrong, Mr. Parker? Do you think I’m lying? Or are you trying to p
Seth gulped. “Ms. Jenkins, why would you think that?”
Layla smiled bitterly. Seth truly was so good to Clarissa, believing her no matter what
protect your
When Layla was suffering from depression, he demanded a divorce, ignoring the harm he would cause her. But when Clarissa was in danger, he used Layla as a shield to protect her.
To be willing to hurt another person for the sake of one, how much love did that require?
Layla’s fingers trembled slightly, but her tone remained resolute. “Mr. Parker, you can go find out yourself whether or not what I’m saying is true. Of course, if you want to protect your fiance, I believe you’re capable of finding a hundred reasons to absolve her from the blame.
“But if it comes down to that, I will use the evidence I have and every legal tool available to seek justice for myself.”
Chapter 20
After that, Layla bent down to pick Daisy up in her arms. Her earlier coldness instantly melted away as she held her daughter close.
no matter how
She planted a kiss on Daisy’s cheek, then said tenderly, “I’m sorry, sweetheart, for letting you get scared. But I want you to know that no ma small or weak you may feel, when you face injustice, you must fight back. Don’t let anyone walk all over you, understand?”
Daisy nodded while reaching her chubby little hand out to gently caress Layla’s swollen face, then leaning closer to blow warm air over it.
Seeing such a heartwarming moment, Seth suddenly felt a slight sting in his eyes. As the images of someone calling Dalsy a mute and stepping on her photo flashed through his mind, there was a sharp pang in his heart.
He knew it was his fault that Layla suffered so much injustice. But why did the little girl evoke such indescribable feelings within him? Was it because of the guilt be felt for Layla?
thim. “I’m giving you one chance. Find out who was behind this. Otherwise,
Seth clenched his fists by his sides as he coldly turned toward Aaron behind i you’re fired from Parker Group.”
Aaron broke into a cold sweat and bowed quickly. “Understood, Mr. Parker. I’ll find out the truth.”
The commotion at school was finally over.
Layla didn’t have the time to take care of the swelling on her face and hand. Instead, she walked to the podium to begin her lesson.
She bowed toward her students, her expression sincere. “Today’s class was delayed because of me, and I even set a bad example by hirring someone That was my fault, and I apologize.
“But I want to say this–I don’t think what I did was wrong. As individuals, we must respect one another. When someone disrespects you, you must know when to fight back and protect yourself instead of letting yourself be bullied.
“We must be kind and grateful, but at the same time, we must make sure we don’t let other people trample over us. This is the most basic way of showing respect to ourselves. I hope that no matter what challenges you face in the future, you’ll know how to defend yourself ”
Her words were met with thunderous applause. All the students‘ eyes sparked with admiration.
The only one who remained silent was Benjamin. He had just witnessed Layla fiercely standing up for her daughter and confronting parents without hesitation. He even dragged Mommy Clarissa into il
The day before, she had completely ignored him when he had called someone else “Mommy“, but she was willing to fight for her daughter. It was clear who she loved more.
Unaffected by the drame, Layla taught her lesson as usual. After class, she brought Daisy to her office, where she saw a man sitting there in a chair.
When Seth saw her, he immediately stood up and handed her a box of ointment, his gaze unreadable.
“This is for reducing inflammation and pain. Apply it, and you’ll heal faster.”
I
Leyla didn’t take it. Instead, she smiled faintly and said, “Mr. Parker, is this your way of pleading for your fiance? If so, don’t bother. I will not forgive
Her sharp words were like thorns, making Seth’s brows furrow, and his tone deepened. “I’ve already investigated. It was Clarissa who instigated those parents to target you, hoping to force you to quit.
“I’ve banned her from coming to the school. From now on, I’ll handle Benjamin’s matters; not her. As for how you wish to take action against her, do as you see fit. I won’t stop you”
Leyla’s expression remained indifferent. “Let me make this clear, Mr. Parker- Clarissa dares to come after me again, I won’t hesitate to take her to
court
Seth opened the ointment, grabbed Layla’s hand, and firmly said, “I won’t let her hurt you again. Let me apply this for you.”
Layla pulled her hand back, her face showing nothing but disdain.
“Seth, in the past, you used me as a shield for Clarissa. Why are you trying to get close to me now? Do you want Clarissa to misunderstand and attack me and my daughter again?
“Yes, your family sponsored the orphanage, helping me attend university. But, I repaid that by giving four years of my life being married to you, even risking my life to give you a son. Isn’t that enough?
“If it’s not, please tell me what else I must do to repay the Parker family’s generosity. All I want is to sewer all thes with you and your family for good.”
Every word was like a knife to Seth’s heart, bringing up painful memories of the past.
He remembered Layla tirelessly caring for their family, showering him and their son with all her love. He also recalled scenes of her drinking excessively with business partners just to secure deals. Even in the delivery room, she kept comforting him, assuring him that she and their son would
It was this wornan, who loved him and this family with all her heart, that he had hurt so deeply. He had made her lose faith in marriage, convincing her she no longer needed him.
Seth clenched his fist in pain, his ole horse and unrecognizable as he spoke. “Layla, I was wrong in the past. I just want to make up for the pain I caused you. Please don’t misunderstand. I don’t want to hurt you, I just want to help.”
vla was unmoved. “Thank you for your thoughtfulness, Mr. Parker, but I don’t need it. 1 only ask you to stay far away from me.
checanise of you, and I don’t want there to be a next time. Please leave now. I have things to do.“.
After saying that, she opened the door, gesturing for him to leave.
What happened today
Seth glanced at Daisy, who was staring at him with her big, bright eyes. Her small mouth was slightly puckered, making her look both adorable and a little pitiful
He squatted down, pinched Daisy’s cheek, and said softly. “It was my fault that you got scolded today. I will go back and punish those bad people. Can you forgive me?”
Daisy sneaked a glance at Layla, then shook her head. But then, feeling a bit guilty, she nodded.
Seeing her to expression, Seth felt even more heartache. He gently hugged Daisy and whispered, “I’ll leave now. If there’s anything, we’ll talk on the phone.”
He then stood up, looked at Layla, and said, “I won’t forgive the people who hurt you. I’m leaving now. Don’t forget to apply the medicine.”
With that, he opened the door and left.
The moment the door closed, Layla felt all her strength drain away, and she slumped into the chair.
She believed that day’s incident was just the beginning. Seth wouldn’t do anything to Clarissa, and Clarissa would only grow more brazen.
Clarissa had depression, and a casual suicide threat could easily make Seth compromise.
Layla didn’t want to think about these troublesome people. She only hoped Daisy’s illness would improve. Only by leaving this place and Seth could she and her daughter live peacefully.
She sighed deeply and threw the ointment in her hand straight into the trash.
GHE
