The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Chapter 14

In the office, there was this thirty–year–old woman, all decked out in designer gear, looking all posh and fancy. Next to her was a five–year–old boy, smugly looking up at another little boy cowering in the corner.

Across from this posh lady were the kindergarten principal and a teacher

“Thaddeus!” Cordelia spotted the boy in the corner and dashed over, her anxiety even pushing her to tears, “Oh my God! What happened to you? Why is your nose bleeding?” She quickly pulled out a tissue to wipe the blood off Thaddeus‘ nose.

Vivienne shifted her gaze to Thaddeus, her expression cold, a chill emanating from her. Did he get into a fight?

She saw Thaddeus‘ swollen face and still–bleeding nose. How could she think this was just kids fighting?

Thaddeus‘ state had Dorian’s face turn red. He turned to the principal and teacher, demanding angrily. “You just stood there and watched while a kid got beaten up like this?”

The principal sighed, “Well, Mr. Hawthorn, we couldn’t really do anything. Thaddeus just suddenly started hitting Dino. When we got there, he even had a knife in his hand.”

She glanced at Dorian and continued, “This is serious. We had to notify the parents. Dino’s parents arrived before you. They’re insisting we give them an explanation. We’ve been dealing with this…”

“1 didn’t hit anyone.” Thaddeus whispered from Cordelia’s arms. He must be so scared. He hid in Cordelia’s arms, his small body trembling

Dorian felt heavy–hearted. His mother didn’t like him, nor did she like Thaddeus. Since he was little, Thaddeus had been bullied in the Hawthorn family. which made him become shy and introverted, even to the point of not liking to talk. After what happened today, he might not want to speak at all. Thinking about this, Dorian gritted his teeth, “I know my son. He’d never hit anyone. He’s the one who got hurt. His nose is still bleeding. Can’t you see that? Couldn’t you have called a doctor to check him over? Couldn’t we have dealt with this after we arrived?”

Before the principal could respond, the posh lady interrupted angrily, “What kind of attitude is this? Your son hit my son, and instead of apologizing, you are blaming us? I’m telling you, if anything happens to my son, I won’t let you off.”

She finished, glaring at Thaddeus, seething, “So young and already knows how to use a knife. Will he become a murderer when he grows up? A child like this, might as well drown him in the toilet.”

who was comforting the emotionally unstable Thaddeus, couldn’t stand it anymore, angrily retorting. “You’re downright evil! You’re accusing my son before the truth is out! Do

haughty lady retorted, “In any case, Thaddeus hit my son. He must compensate, and he must be expelled from kindergarten. Otherwise, I’ll expose this and let everyone see the kind of child you’re raising – a murderer!”

was too angry to speak.

to speak. They insisted that Thaddeus hit someone, and

refute it.

asking. “You say he hit someone. Do you have proof?” With her hands in her pockets, she looked completely at ease. The naturally

snapped back to reality, “Right! The school has CCTV. I want to see the footage.”

he spoke, the posh lady and the principal looked uncomfortable, “The CCTV broke last

expressions didn’t escape Vivienne’s eyes. Her

taken aback: The CCTV broke? What a

“It’s broken? No problem, I

and the principal looked uneasy. Dorian and Cordelia were also

and the posh lady’s expressions, turned to Dorian and asked. “Do you know where the CCTV room is?”

what she had just said about repairing the surveillance, so he nodded blankly upon hearing this. “I do.”

the way” Vivienne said,

lady were both taken aback. The posh lady moved to block Vivienne’s path, “No! The CCTV is already broken,

in, “Our CCTV room is off–limits

“So you want

come? If the police came, they would

point, the teacher pulled the principal aside, whispering, “Maybe we should let her take a look. The CCTV footage has already

then told Vivienne, “Alright, I’ll

CCTV room. Without saying

took his seat.