The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Chapter 369

They closed in on Keen, surrounding him from all sides.

Watching the scene unfold on the security monitor, Haynes's brow furrowed in concern, while Mrs. Ayers looked as if she might faint from shock.

Even through the grainy footage, it was obvious that Sheldon and his two friends weren't here for a friendly chat. The way they cornered Keen was practiced- clearly, this wasn't their first time.

Haynes's dark eyes grew colder by the second.

Then Sheldon's voice cut through the tense silence in the room.

"A few days ago, I heard my mom say your mom barely finished middle school- she can't even read properly, not like us kids at fancy private schools."

"I bet none of these other kids know just how pathetic and embarrassing your mom is, do they?"

He laughed, a sharp, cruel sound. "Well, even if they don't know now, they're about to. We'll make sure everyone hears about it."

air was suffocating. No one else dared to speak. Only Sheldon's mocking

icy gaze slid

trembling as if she

Stella behind closed doors, to look down on

words, it was clear this was no isolated incident. He'd been bullying

Stella's expression darkened as well. She had never realized Keen

much of the

sad. She'd asked him what was wrong, but he'd refused to

Deanna had suggested Keen stay with her for a while, saying she wanted to tutor him personally. He

stay the night. Her time with Keen was limited to brief dinners, and on weekends, Keen was

attitude toward

that wasn't the whole story. That must have been when

happened. Marvin's outburst made sense-it was Sheldon's insults to Stella that had