“Mrs. Beasley, now that you’ve dealt with Darrell, surely you can let me off the hook, right?”
Darrell rolled his eyes helplessly, cursing, “What an idiot.”
While they were bantering, Declan took out his phone and called the grade level principal.
Meanwhile, Jordan’s gaze darted between Darrell and Cordelia.
Suddenly, he let out a derisive scoff. “You’re Darrell’s mother?
“Yeah, right!
“Stop lying!“.
The moment he laughed, his lackeys behind him started to burst into laughter, too.
“Everyone at school knows this pathetic fuck doesn’t have a mother-”
Before he could finish, Marvin immediately snatched up a stone and hurled it at him. “You shut your filthy mouth! I dare you to say that again!”
He then turned to Cordelia, pointing an accusatory finger at Jordan. “Mrs. Beasley, he’s the one! He’s always the one saying Darrell doesn’t have a mother. That’s why we wanted to teach him a lesson.”
Cordelia was burning with fury. With her hands on her hips, she cursed at the top of her lungs, spitting, “You little tub of lard! You’re the one who doesn’t have a mother!
“Life must be so easy for you. You don’t have anything better to do, so you decide to pick on others?”
Unable to withstand the public humiliation, Jordan signaled to his lackeys, who immediately began to surround Cordelia and the others.
“I don’t give a flying fuck who you are!” he screamed. “Anyone who crosses me is doomed!”
Just then, Declan tossed the cigarette aside, stepped forward, grabbed him by the collar, and said slowly, “I dare you to make a move.”
Cordelia had felt a flicker of intimidation facing Jordan’s ferocious gang. But with Declan standing solidly in front of her, her courage surged back.
Meanwhile, Declan continued, “I’ve already called the grade level principal. He’ll be here any second.”
Jordan stubbornly insisted, “Yeah, like I’m gonna-”
In the next second, a furious shout rang out from the end of the alley. “Jordan! What trouble are you causing now?!”
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09:33
Chapter 8
A wave of panic swept through the group. “Shit!” someone yelled. “It’s the principal! Run“”
Their previous ferocity vanished, instantly replaced by panic as they fled in a flustered stampede.
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But it was too late. The school’s security guards had already surrounded the area. They rushed out, swiftly restraining anyone who tried to flee.
The grade level principal scurried over to Declan, his face etched with a fawning smile.
“Mr. Beasley, Mrs. Beasley…”
Declan’s voice was flat and icy. “Some students at your school have been spreading malicious rumors that my son has no mother. If you fail to take strict and immediate measures to address this, I see no need to continue my financial sponsorship.”
Cold sweat instantly beaded on the principal’s forehead.
“M–Mr. Beasley, please!
“The new teaching building is still under construction… Without your support, the project will be abandoned!
“Mr. Beasley, I assure you that we will handle this matter most seriously. You will not be disappointed!”
All the troublemakers were rounded up and taken back to the school to await disciplinary action.
As for Darrell, he was given a temporary suspension and sent home under parental supervision.
After everything was settled, Belinda rushed forward, her face a mask of exaggerated concern.
“Darry, are you alright?
“I’m so glad nothing happened to you.
“I was worried sick!”
Cordelia rolled her eyes and muttered under her breath, “What a phony.”
She then turned to Declan and waved him over. “Hey, come here and give me a hand.”
Declan looked puzzled. “With what?”
Leaning on her stick, she said irritably, “My … foot fell asleep.”
In truth, her legs had gone weak, now that her blustering had faded,
A flicker of disbelief crossed Declan’s face, a rare crack in his usual mask of indifference.
He turned to Belinda.
“Thank you for today,” he said.
Then, he patted Darrell’s head.
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09:33
Chapter 8
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Darrell, who looked utterly irritable, flinched and frowned. Eventually, he lowered his head and muttered reluctantly, “Thank you, Ms. Baldwin.”
Belinda lowered her gaze, tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, and said with a smile, “It’s my duty. Don’t mention it.”
Declan gave a curt nod. “We’ll be heading home now.”
A trace of flustered embarrassment appeared on her carefully composed face. “O–Oh, but my car… It broke down on my way here in a rush. Could I possibly…”
Cordelia watched the entire exchange in silence.
She’d like to know whether Declan would be stupid enough to arrange for her and Belinda to sit in the same car.
Just then, Declan said to Darrell, “Hail a cab for Ms. Baldwin.”
Belinda froze.
But there was nothing she could do but accept after Declan had said this. She forced a smile. “That would be great. Thank you.”
Cordelia arched an eyebrow slightly, surprised to hear Declan turn Belinda down.
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