The Billionaire And His Son Want Me Back by Juliette Vaughan

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 to be reckoned with, seemed downright fragile standing in front of Dominick.

Dominick stood before the screen, arms crossed, his brow furrowed, exuding an air of authority 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 twisted painfully as she saw the scene. She quickly ran her hands over Serena's back and hips to make sure nothing 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 Grayson 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.

Stella said something to her, and Serena finally lost her

Stella and got angry at Serena.

pushed to her limit. She scratched Grayson's

had approached Grayson first, but Stella had thrown the first punch. Serena hadn't

aching for her daughter, let out a bitter laugh. "Mr. Vanderbilt, is this what you

and beyond frustrated. Dominick's expression darkened, and he turned to Grayson. "Grayson, why are you lying?" Grayson was clearly afraid of his father's anger, and he cowered behind Marissa, refusing to speak. Marissa's face wasn't much better. Not long ago, she had confidently criticized Paisley's daughter and passed all the buck to Serena. But now, it was clear that Stella had started things and had lied about it. Anxious that Dominick might be mad at her, Marissa quickly shot a sharp look

Now, being seriously scolded by her aunt, she couldn't hold back any

bad kid... You even said

her grip on Stella tightening as she quickly cut her off. "Shut up! Apologize now, don't try to argue your way out

upset, reluctantly muttered, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't

Marissa snapped, her attitude completely different from how she

sobs, "I'm

apologize," Dominick ordered coldly, his

hid behind Marissa and refused to

again, his voice low but full

with his eyes squeezed shut and then immediately burst into

inconsolable tears.

Grayson's apology, she trembled as she turned to face Grayson.

shouldn't have bumped Stella...

off, as if trying to convince herself that

the teachers in the room all let out