Chapter 24
The small surveillance room was so quiet that the drop of a pin could be heard. The school’s burly security guards, usually a force in he reckoned with seemed downright fragile standing in front of Dominik
Dominick stood before the screen, arms crossed, his brow furrowed, exuding:
uding an air of a
authority th
that could make anyone feel small.
Michelle personally called up the footage from the incident and then stepped aside to let Dominic watch it
The video, although silent offered a clear view due to the camera’s perfect angle, and with only the three kids in the frame at that moment, everything was easy enough to follow.
At first. Grayson was sitting by the small pool and reading alone. Stella wasn’t in the picture at all. A few seconds later, Serena appeared in the frame. She bounced to Grayson with a painting in her hand.
Paisley’s eyes immediately locked onto the painting. Though the camera angle was distant, she recognized it right away–it was her painting. The boy in the painting was Grayson.
That explained why Serena had approached Grayson. She knew Grayson was her brother.
Paisley felt a pang in her chest, her grip on Serena tightening slightly as she processed this revelation.
The video continued to play. Serena stood about three feet from Grayson, holding up her drawing and showing it to him.
That was when Stella showed up. She shoved Serena to the ground without hesitation. The push was hard–Serena’s body flew about two feet away before crashing onto the ground with a heavy thud.
Paisley’s heart tasted painfully as she save the scene. She quickly ran her hands over Serena’s back and hips to make sure nothing was o
was out of place. She then checked on Serena’s hands and found her palms were dirty and covered with deep scrapes, Paisley’s breath caught in her throat and she felt her heart break.
Dominick noticed Paisley’s actions and also saw Serena’s injuries. They were much worse than those on Crayson or Stella.
But in the video, Serena didn’t cry Despite being hurt, she got up, dusted herself off, and went back to Grayson, still trying to show him the painting
But Stella wasn’t done. She grabbed the painting from Serena’s hands, ripped it up, and tossed it in the trash
Paisley’s eyes filled with tears as she watched the video. Serena ignored the filthy trash bin and reached in, trying to get her painting back, but she got nothing.
Just then, Stella said something to her, and Serena finally lost her temper. She charged at Stella and headbutted her
Stella fell and cried. Grayson rushed over to check on Stella and got angry at Serena. He pushed her again and again again.
Serena was finally pushed to her limit. She scratched Grayson’s neck in retaliation
until she was knocked down
The whole sequence of events became crystal clear. It was true that Serena had approached Grayson first, but Stella had thrown the first punch. Serena hadn’t freaked out for no reason–she’d simply reacted when two bigger kids came at her.
Paisley, her heart aching for her daughter, let out a bitter laugh. “Mr. Vanderbilt, is this what you call good upbringing?”
At that moment, Paisley’s emotions were a whirlwind–relieved, angry, and beyond frustrated.
Dominick’s expression darkened, and he turned to Grayson “Grayson, why ar
are you lying!”
Grayson was clearly atraid of his father’s anger, and he cowered behind Marissa, refusing to speak.
Marissa’s face wasnt much better. Not long ago, she had confidently criticized Paisley’s daughter and passed all the buck to Serenu. But now, it dear that Stella had started dungs and had lied about it
Anxious that Dominick might be mad at her. Marissa quickly shot a sharp look at Stella and scolded. “Stella, how could you lie to us? I’m disappointed in you, I told you, lying is not what a good kid should do.
“Now, look at you, you even dragged Sonny into the mess and helped you lie to us. Now, apologize to Serena
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1:30 PM ď ď
Chapter 24
Stella had already been ignored ever since they came to the office. Now, being seriously scolded by her aunt, she couldn’t hold back any longer.
to Sonny is a
y is a bad kid… You even said she’s cuter than n
She burst into tears while speaking. “Auntie Marissa, you said anyone
e who got close to S don’t want Sony to be taken away from me….
up! Apologize now, don’t try to argue your way
Marissa’s eyes went wide with shock, her grip on Stella tightening as she quickly cut her off. “Shut up! Apol
out of thi
Stella, still upset, reluctantly mustered, Tm sorry, I shouldn’t have lied
“Apologize to Serena!” Marissa snapped, her attitude completely different from how she acted a while ago
Stella said with sobs, Tm sorry, Serena
“Grayson apologize, Dominick ordered coldly, his voice like sce
However, Grayson hid behind Marissa and refused to speak.
“Apologize” Dominick said again, his voice low but full of authority,
“Sorry Grayson screamed with his eyes squeezed shut and then immediately burst into loud, inconsolable tears.
y too. I shouldn’t have bumped
Serena had stopped crying. Hearing Grayson’s apology, she trembled as she turned to face Grayson. I’m sorry Stella….. or scratched my bro… him…….”
She trailed off, as if trying to convince herself that Grayson was not her brother anymore
про
After the kids apologized to each other, Michelle and the teachers in the room all let out a collective sigh of relief. “All right, that’s senled,” Michelle said, still trying to case the tension. “Let’s all just be good friends from now Paisley, however, didn’t have any of it. She shot back sharply. “No, thank you. I’m seriously questioning your school’s ability to educate. I’m taking my daughter out of here”
Without another word, she turned around and walked out, cradling Serena in her arms. She could barely stand to be around these people a moment longer–it felt suffocating.
and blocked her
But just as she was about to open the car door to put Serena inside, she heard footsteps behind her. Dominick caught up to her a action.
“Paisley, tell me, who’s the father of this girl? His voice was urgent and desperate, and the longing in his eyes was painfully clear. Paisley, fed up with his interference, pushed his hand away from the car door and replied, “Not you, anyway”
your business.”
“Then who?” Dominick demanded, his tone growing more intense. He wondered if it was the man she called “Honey” on the call Glancing at Marissa, who was still holding Grayson’s hand tightly. Paisley gave Dominick a cold look and said, “None of With that, she slamned the car door shut and got in, not sparing Dominick another glance. Dominick saw through the window, and his gaze fixed on the face of the girl inside. Her resemblance to Paisley was undeniable.
A chill ran through him as he looked at her, his expression totally icy. He couldn’t believe that Paisley had a child with another man.
Paisley rolled down the window slightly, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “Mr. Vanderials, your family’s waiting for you behind. So, do me a favor and stop pestering me, okay?”
She slammed the window shut, started the car, and drove off, leaving Dominick seething with fury
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