Chapter 15: Bear the Consequences Yourself
The wealthy woman retreated two steps unconsciously, intimidated by the gaze she met. Those eyes were terrifying, reminiscent of the Grim Reaper from hell.
“I, I…” She was at a loss for words under Tina’s intimidating stare.
The principal and the class teacher were also taken aback by Tina’s presence, unable to respond for a long while.
Hugo, watching the scene through the monitor, roared in anger, “This is outrageous! It was your Mel who slapped my son for no reason, and you dare to gang up and frame him! He’s only five years old and you’ve frightened him to the point where he’s too scared to speak. Are you even human?”
The principal and the wealthy woman shuddered at his bellowing.
“Mr. Reed, it’s a misunderstanding,” the principal quickly said with an apologetic smile, “It was my oversight. I only saw Zackary with a knife and assumed he hit Mel without conducting a proper investigation. I apologize to you.”
“If apologies were enough, what would we need the police for?” Tina said calmly, turning her head slightly.
Jennie, already furious, snapped to her senses at Tina’s words, and shouted, “Hugo, let’s call the police! We must seek justice for our son today!”
Hugo immediately took out his phone to make the call.
The principal, in a panic, hurried to stop him, “Mr. Reed, please give us a chance, I assure you this will never happen again.”
The wealthy woman also hastily said, “Yes, I’m sorry, it’s all my fault. I blamed Zackary without getting the facts straight. I apologize, and I’m willing to compensate, how about $500, 000?”
Hugo looked at her coldly, without a word.
“One million? Or name your price, as long as I can afford it,” pleaded the wealthy woman, now truly desperate.
They had status in Ensford and if the police were to take them away, it would affect her family’s company. Her mother-in-law would never forgive her.
“Do you think money can buy everything?” Hugo said blankly, “Can money undo the humiliation my son suffered today? Who can heal the wounds of his soul?”
“I can explain,” the wealthy woman hurriedly said, “It was your mother who told me to do this. My husband has a contract he wants to sign with your family’s company, and your mother instructed me to find a way to get Zackary expelled… I…”
The principal nodded along, “Yes, it was Mrs. Reed. I didn’t want to do it, but she threatened me. If I didn’t comply, I couldn’t continue as the principal.”
Hugo was shocked; he never expected that his mother, in her efforts to have Tina married to Jared, would stoop to harming her own grandson.
Tina’s eyes narrowed slightly. Elizabeth would stop at nothing to get her way.
She glanced at the wealthy woman and the principal and said indifferently, “Let the police handle it.”
With that, she turned and walked away.
The wealthy woman fell to her knees before them, crying, “I was wrong, truly wrong. Please, forgive me, I promise it won’t happen again.”
Tina turned back, her gaze calm, “If I hadn’t restored the surveillance, would my brother have been wrongfully blamed?”
The wealthy woman was speechless.
Indeed, if the surveillance hadn’t been restored, Zackary would have been held responsible.
Tina’s lips curved into a faint smile, “So, bear the consequences yourself.”
She paused, then turned to the principal, “Also, we’re withdrawing from school.”
After leaving the kindergarten, Hugo took Zackary to the hospital.
Tina initially thought it unnecessary; she could have taken care of it herself. But considering Hugo probably wouldn’t trust her, she didn’t offer.
Zackary had only minor injuries, except for a more serious bruise on his nose from Mel’s forceful slap.
After the examination, the police arrived to take their statements. Tina handed over the surveillance footage she had copied from the kindergarten.
She didn’t involve herself in the aftermath.
Returning to Pinkwater Ally, it was already evening.
Jennie, with a timid Zackary in tow, approached Tina and whispered, “Zackary, this is your sister, Tina.”
Zackary looked down, too scared to meet Tina’s eyes, but he mustered a soft, “Tina.”
His timidity and fear touched the deepest part of Tina’s heart, reminding her of her own fear and helplessness when she and her mother had been chased years ago.
She gently touched Zackary’s face, her voice softer than usual, “Does it hurt?”
Zackary looked up, dazedly staring at Tina, and shook his head, “Not anymore.”
Tina nodded, “Good.” She then retrieved several items from her room.
Handing oneto Zackary, she said, “This is a gift for you.”
It was a set of anime figures.This material belongs to NôvelDrama.Org.
“Wow!” Zackary exclaimed in surprise, “It’s the latest anime model. I love it, thank you, Tina.”
“If you like it, that’s all that matters.”
She then handed the other two items to Hugo and Jennie, “Mr. Reed, Mrs. Reed, these are gifts for you.”
She had intended to buy them gifts the last time she went shopping, but the incident with Sophia had made her forget. She had made another trip later.
Not knowing their preferences, she had chosen clothes for both Hugo and Jennie. There was something for Elsa too, but since she hadn’t seen her, she held onto it.
Hugo looked at the clothes she handed over in surprise, “Lvywood? These must be worth thousands, where did you get so much money?”
Tina rubbed her temples, “I just-earned it?”
Hugo immediately tried to give the clothes back, “I can’t accept this. You earned your money with hard work. Keep it for yourself. You should return these and save the money.”
Tina paused for a moment, “Keep them. It only cost me a thousand. I helped the store owner the other day, and he gave me a discount.”
“Really?” Hugo was skeptical.
“Really.”
Sighing, Tina thought she’d rather not lie anymore just to make someone accept a gift.
Hugo happily accepted the clothes and immediately went to try them on.
Jennie, looking at the clothes in her hands, felt a warm heart. Indeed, a daughter was considerate.
Moments later, they emerged in the new outfits, both beaming with joy. The clothes looked good and fitted well.
“Thank you, Tina. We love them,” said Hugo, touching the fabric on his body, unable to stop smiling.
Tina smiled back and then asked, “Mr. Reed, aside from Kongham Kindergarten, which other preschool in Ensford is better?”
“The best is Royal Oaks, but it’s very hard to get in. Money isn’t enough; you have to pass an exam,” Hugo explained, “Forget about Zackary, he didn’t pass the exam. I’ll look at other kindergartens in the next few days.”
Tina nodded, “Okay, got it.”
Once back in her room, Tina took out her phone and called Cole.
The phone connected quickly, “Serena.”
“Arrange a spot for me at Royal Oaks Kindergarten.”