Chapter 157

When Cordelia got back home that night, something felt increasingly off. At dinner, she was somewhat distracted, and when Lorna inquired about it, she couldn’t help but express her skepticism, “Is that school really that effective? She’s only been there for a week and she’s already a different person?”

Cordelia’s brows furrowed in contemplation.

After dinner, as was their new routine for the past week, Cordelia and Lorna headed to the study. Cordelia played some video games and Lorna indulged in her painting.

Cordelia waited for a bit, but her gaming buddy, Jungler didn’t reach out, prompting her to send a message. When Jungler didn’t respond immediately, Cordelia booted up the game. She was about to go solo in ranked play when Jungler popped online and invited her to a duo queue.

Cordelia accepted and once in the lobby, realized it was a trio setup with another player. Jungler typed, “Mind if I bring a gal along?”

“No problem,” Cordelia replied.

They played a game, but Cordelia was restless. After the match, just as she was considering another round, she dropped out and texted Jungler, “Something’s up. You two play on.”

Her intuition was seldom off, and she had a nagging feeling that something was up with Merry.

People didn’t change that drastically overnight.

She thought about calling Yates, but for some reason, as she switched to the phone app, her fingers instinctively dialed a number she knew by heart.

As soon as the call connected, Everard’s voice came through, “What’s up, sweetie?”

Cordelia’s eyes flickered, “I think there’s something wrong with Little Parrot.”

“Why do you say that?”

She sighed, “Just a hunch.”

As soon as those words left her mouth, she knew they lacked conviction. Who would take a hunch seriously?

response when Everard surprised her, “Alright, I’ll look into

“You believe me?”

deep and resonant, seemed to wrap around her, and his reply warmed her more than the thickest blanket

said

how to investigate, and could only

for

“Okay.”

while, told Lorna she was heading to bed, and

people gathering evidence, but you should prevent the Jordan family

stunned, “What’s the

they’re using corporal punishment. I’m still

1/3

Corporal punishment?

she said, “Got it, I’m

her car and drove

only agreed

informed her that Paulina had already taken Merry to school early that morning.

struggling to memorize passages from her literature book, repeating lines over

started working harder earlier, you wouldn’t have to struggle so much now,” she sighed, “Merry,

need,” Merry replied without lifting her gaze from her book, her concentration waning

brows drew together,

can we

just a week there. Just stick it out a little longer.”

of the consequences of not mastering her

do anything you say from now on, just take me back

in

was torn, but as she was about to respond, Merry pleaded, “Do you love me, Mom?”

love you. Why would you ask that?”

Paulina’s sympathy vanished at that moment, replaced by the image of

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