Chapter 17 Bullied
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“I never expected I would have a ‘brother.” Lyla remarked, surprise evident in her voice, though it was quickly replaced by delight.
Clara did not object. She believed that children’s matters should remain separate from adult affairs. If Wesley and Lyla got along well, she had no issue with Lyla calling him her brother.
“Alright, Lyla. You have school tomorrow, so you need to go to bed early, understand?” Clara gently reminded her.
Lyla nodded enthusiastically. “Aunt Clara, I can wake up by myself. If you want to sleep in, I can get the housekeeper to fetch. I can go by myself!”
Looking at how sensible Lyla was, Clara felt a pang of emotion. She merely patted the little girl’s head and said, “Sleep early.”
The next day, after dropping Lyla off at kindergarten, Clara headed to the company. She had barely sat down at her desk when her phone rang.
“Clara! Lyla was bullied at school. The teacher called us. Can you go to the kindergarten and check on her?” Zoe’s urgent voice came through the phone.
“Zoe, don’t worry. I’m on my way now.” Without hesitation, Clara rushed to the kindergarten.
When she arrived at the kindergarten, Clarà spotted Lyla from a distance and quickly approached her. “Lyla, are you hurt?”
Lyla’s big eyes were red and filled with unshed tears, her cheeks streaked with fresh tear stains. Clearly, she had been crying.
Upon seeing Clara, she burst into loud sobs, clinging to her tightly. “Aunt Clara, my bottom hurts
so much!”
Clara’s heart twisted at the sight. She gently patted Lyla’s back, comforting her, “Don’t cry, Lyla. I won’t let anyone bully you.”
A teacher standing nearby, noticing their action, hesitated before speaking. “Mrs. Pierce?”
Clara looked up to see a woman in a brown coat with short hair watching her cautiously. She recognized her as Ms. Cindy, a teacher at the kindergarten.
Upon confirming that it was indeed Wesley’s mother, Ms. Cindy subtly sighed in relief, the tension in her face easing. However, she was still puzzled as to why Clara was holding Lyla.
“You and Lyla…?” Ms. Cindy inquired.
“I’m her aunt,” Clara replied.
Learning that, Ms. Cindy broke into a relieved smile.
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Chapter 17 Bullied
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“Mrs. Pierce, this situation is rather delicate. Wesley was the one who pushed Lyla down and even gathered a few children to bully her. Since you are both Wesley’s mother and Lyla’s aunt, this matter should be easier to resolve.”
Clara’s brows knitted together. “Are you saying Wesley led others to bully Lyla?”
Ms. Cindy nodded. “Yes. I just called Wesley’s father. He said he’s on his way.”
Clara’s expression darkened, her anger barely restrained.
She had not even realized that Lyla and Wesley attended the same kindergarten. How had she never noticed her brother and sister–in–law during these two years of dropping off and picking up Wesley?
Setting aside her confusion, Clara knew her priority now was seeking justice for Lyla regardless of who was involved.
“Ms. Cindy, I am Lyla’s legal guardian. As for Wesley, I have already filed for divorce from his father. His legal guardian is now his father. He has nothing to do with me. As for what happened. today, I demand an apology from him. I will not accept any form of mediation,”
Clara’s tone was firm, leaving no room for negotiation.
Ms. Cindy was taken aback. She had assumed that since Clara was Lyla’s aunt, the incident would be handled within the family. But given Clara’s stance, things had just become more complicated.
“Clara, you’re being unreasonable!” A sharp voice cut through the room just as Francis heard Clara demanding an apology from him and denying her relationship with Wesley, his face dark with displeasure.
Upon seeing the little girl in Clara’s arms, Francis momentarily froze. Then, his eyes darkened with fury. He looked at Clara with suspicion. “Who is she?”
The little girl bore an uncanny resemblance to Clara. When Clara had mentioned being her guardian, a thought struck Francis.
Was this child Clara and Liam’s? She seemed about the same age as Wesley.
Clara remained silent, which only made Francis’s expression grow even colder.
“Is she your daughter with Liam?” he asked through gritted teeth, his mind already playing out scenes of her betrayal.
Sensing the tension, Ms. Cindy quickly intervened. “Mr. Pierce, you’ve misunderstood. Lyla’s mother is Zoe. Mrs. Pierce, I mean, Clara said she’s Lyla’s aunt. Her mother is away on a business trip, so she’s taking care of her.”
Realizing his mistake, Francis’s anger dissipated instantly, replaced by guilt. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know the full story and jumped to conclusions.”
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Chapter 17 Bullied
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Now he knew how to apologize? Where was this understanding when Natalie had misunderstood me in the past? Hadn’t he always stood by Natalie’s side, defending her?
Clara met his gaze, her expression unyielding. “Mr. Pierce, I’ll overlook your misunderstanding for now. But as for Wesley bullying Lyla, I expect a proper resolution.”
Francis stiffened.
She called me Mr. Pierce.‘ Had we become so distant?
Watching Clara fiercely defend another child against his son, Francis felt an ache deep in his chest.
Taking a deep breath, he furrowed his brows. “Clara, whatever is between us, please don’t take it jout on Wesley. He’s your biological son. If you favor another child over him, it will break his
heart.”
Clara chuckled coldly. “Francis, have you forgotten? It was Wesley who insisted on calling Natalie ‘Mom. You didn’t correct him. I simply respected your wishes. Isn’t it a little late for regrets now?”
Francis pinched the bridge of his nose. He knew she was still upset about Natalie, but did she really have to go this far?
He said, “Clara, no matter how angry you are at me and Wesley, you can’t just disown him. You carried him for ten months in your belly. He’s your son.”
Clara looked at him, a bitter smile curling her lips. Oh, now he remembered Wesley was her son? Yet, he had once abandoned her to spend New Year’s Eve watching fireworks with his precious childhood sweetheart. He had left her sick in bed to care for another woman. He had defended. Natalie at every turn, even when she schemed against Clara. And now he had the audacity to ask. her not to make a fuss?
Enough.
None of this mattered anymore. She had already made up her mind.
Clara closed her eyes briefly and let out a slow breath.
“Francis, I already sent you the divorce papers. Whether you like it or not, this marriage is over. As for Wesley, I don’t want him either. Whatever you do with him is your concern.”
