Chapter 105
Chapter 105
Startled, William stood up and shot Maelis a disapproving look.
Maelis stayed silent with panic churning inside her.
Zinnia remained silent in Yannis’s arms for a long time. Yannis gazed down at her, unable to hide his worry. “Zinnia, I’m sorry. I should’ve come soonete
The little girl in his arms seemed frozen in fear, not uttering a word or moving at all. Her state made Yannis even more anxious.
“Zinnia, won’t you say something to me?” Yannis pleaded gently.
Hearing his gentle words, Betty bit down hard on her lip. Her eyes gradually turned red with jealousy.
She thought, ‘That shameless bitch. How did she manage to make that untouchable man stoop so low to plead and coax her?”
“Thank you,” Zinnia whispered. She lowered her head and blinked as she pulled away from Yannis’s embrace.
Her voice was so faint, like a breath that a breeze could scatter, gone before one could catch it.
“It’s my fault for being late,” Yannis said regretfully, blaming himself.
He was late because he got stuck in the lunchtime rush hour traffic on his way there.
Maisie and Yvette stared wide–eyed at Yannis, utterly stunned by his gentle demeanor. They couldn’t believe Yannis, who was notoriously sharp–tongued, would ever speak so tenderly. With their first time hearing this now, their skin crawled.
William surveyed the chaotic scene, rubbed his temples in frustration, and asked, “Zinnia, has your guardian arrived?”
The other students‘ guardians were already present.
William had assumed Yannis was Zinnia’s guardian, but when Maisie greeted Yannis, William was no longer sure whose side Yannis was on.
Just as Yosef was about to speak, Yannis cut in by saying, “Yes, I’m her guardian.”
Yosef’s face darkened, while Maelis stood frozen in shock. They wondered, ‘If Yannis is Zinnia’s guardian now, where does that leave us?‘
Maisie stared at Zinnia in astonishment. She couldn’t believe Zinnia was this impressive to get Yannis to come as her guardian.
Yvette couldn’t help but give Yannis a startled look.
Maisie and Yvette locked eyes. Both of them were stunned. They had silent communication.
Yvette: [Is Yannis really close to Zinnia?]
Maisie: [No idea. Zinnia said she met him once with Yosef. That’s probably how they know each other.]
Yvette: [Yannis has really become gentle after his trip abroad, huh?]
Maisie: [He literally called me a mess last time.]
Yvette: [You deserved it.]
Maisie rolled her eyes.
Maisie and Yvette exchanged knowing glances, silently agreeing to hold their questions until they got home.
Hearing Yannis’s words, William wanted to say something, but in the end, he just let it slide.
1/2
Chapter 105
He said, “Now that both sets of guardians are here, let’s talk this through, Honestly, neither side meant any harm. They were just landing up fo friends. We teachers suggest the kids exchange apologies, and then we can put this matter to rest”
“Zinnia, apologize right now.” Maelis’s sharp voice cut through the room the moment William finished speaking. Her gaze locked onto Zinnia Lim how I taught you? You’re too stubborn to admit when you’re wrong. I’m so disappointed in you?
Even though Zinnia hadn’t called Maelis there as
guardian, Maelis couldn’t help but scold her out of habit.
That icy, unfamiliar stare from Zinnia chilled Maelis to the bone. It made Maelis instinctively clutch at her authority as a mother.
Maelis thought, ‘I’m her mother. How could she glare at me like I’m her enemy?‘
The weight of everyone’s judging eyes made Maelis’s face burn with humiliation. She used to receive praise when she came there, but this was the first time she’d been called in because her children got into a fight. The shame stung.
Besides, that defiant glare from her daughter made the
I tight in her chest.
“Mrs. Shaw, what makes you so certain that it’s Zinnia’s fault?” Yannis interjected sharply.
A
