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.”

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!

Thaddeus hit my son. He must compensate, and he must be expelled from kindergarten. Otherwise, I’ll expose

Cordelia was too

anger, but he was unable to speak. They insisted that Thaddeus hit someone, and there was

refute it.

you have proof?” With her hands in her

reality, “Right! The school has CCTV. I want

lady and the principal looked uncomfortable, “The CCTV broke

Vivienne’s eyes. Her

taken aback: The CCTV broke? What

“It’s broken? No problem, I can fix

Cordelia were

turned to Dorian and asked. “Do you know where

recovered from what she had just said about repairing the

said, heading towards the

aback. The posh lady moved to block Vivienne’s path, “No!

CCTV room is off–limits

eyes, her expression indifferent, “So

If the police came, they would uncover the truth, and she would be

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

a moment, then told Vivienne,

to the CCTV room. Without saying anything, Vivienne motioned for the security guard to stand up, and

took his seat.