Chapter
Paulinaâs expression darkened when she caught of Cordelia.
She could still remember the last time she visited school, it was Cordelia who had whisked Merry away. After that, Merry had run away from home, and gotten into all sorts of trouble. Paulinaâs face was a storm. cloud of disapproval as she said, âIt has nothing to do with you.â
With that she spun on her heel and left.
But Cordelia couldnât shake the feeling that something was off. She pulled out her phone and messaged âLittle Parrotâ on WhatsApp, but got no reply.
Cordelia had to return to class. At lunch, the usually chatty girl who sat next to her wasnât there, leaving her feeling oddly out of sorts.
She got her tray from the cafeteria and found a spot to sit alone, checking her phone again to see that âLittle Parrotâ still hadnât responded.
Finally, she tried calling, but despite the phone not being switched off, no one picked up.
At the Jordan residence.
Paulina had just finished processing Merryâs transfer papers and returned home, where the butler promptly greeted her.
Paulina asked, âIs she still being stubborn?â
The butler .
Since being forcibly brought back home last night, Merry had holed up in her room, pounding on the door until her voice went hoarse, then just slumped to the floor in silence.
Paulina sighed. Sheâd spent a sleepless night worrying, her eyes red and puffy. Now, listless, she climbed the stairs and opened the door to Merryâs room.
Merry, exhausted from struggling, was curled up in a corner on the floor. At the sound of the door, she lifted her head and pleaded, âMom, just let me go.â
Paulinaâs heart hardened as she spoke, âLet you go, so you can continue live streaming? Peddling your laughter for cash? Merry, Iâm your mother. Iâve offered you money, yet you insist on making a spectacle of yourself. Do you really want to break my heart?â
Merry looked at her blankly.
Break her heart? The words seemed like a cruel joke.
âYou care about me?â Merry sneered.
âOf course, I do. Youâre my childâ Paulina approached Merry, âDo you think being a parent is easy? Yes, I admit Iâve said harsh things to you, but it was all for your own good.â
Merry clenched her fists and stayed silent.
Paulina would never admit she was wrong. In her eyes Leila was the good child, and all the trouble was Merryâs doing.
Because Leila would pass the buck, and Merry grew up straightforward and couldnât talk to cheer her up.
Merry scoffed, âCanât you just act like you donât a daughter like me?â
Seeing Merry still unrepentant, Paulina took a deep breath, âIâve been reflecting, and I realize Iâve been too blased, which hurt you. But thatâs just who I am, and I havenât been able to educate you properly. Iâve tried everything. Iâve heard of a prestigious boarding school with military discipline that can help students kick their internet addiction. So, Iâve paid a hefty sum to enroll you. Weâre going now.â
Chapter 182
Merry protested. âI wonât go. I want to back to Greenmeadow International School
Paulina called in two bodyguards who easily subdued Merry, and they all down to the car
Merry stopped struggling, knowing escape was impossible for now. Sheâd wait until she got to the new school then climb over the wall She was no stranger to such escapades.
the window, her rood anxious and agitated.
Soon, they arrived at the school, which was situated in the suburbs.
Merry was pressed out of the car by the bodyguards and followed Paulina to the entrance of the new school.
At the sight of the large closed iron gate, an inexplicable feeling of oppression and fear came over Merry.
The headmaster and the homeroom teacher came out to greet them.
Paulina, looking meaningfully at Merry, said, âMerry, I know youâre probably angry with me right now, but this is a good school. Remember Tommy from next door? A total terror since childhood, he straightened up after three years here. Iâm doing this for your own good. Now, go with the teacher.â
Merry was about to speak when the teacher smiled and gently guided her shoulder, saying, Merry Jordan, is it? Come on, letâs go inside.
Merry followed the teacher, who was as stout as a barrel.
The sound of the heavy iron gate closing startled her.
Turning back, she felt a pang of unease. The students seemed numerous but strangely subdued.
As she pondered this, the teacher ordered, âFirst thing, wash off that makeup.â
Merry frowned, âI donât have any makeup remover.â
Before she could finish, the teacher grabbed her hair with surprising strength and dragged her to a fountain in the courtyard, âWhat are you doing?â
Amidst her protests, the teacher turned on the fountain. Once it was full, he pushed her face down into the water.
Panic surged in Merry as she struggled to breathe.
The grip on the back of her head was too strong, and she couldnât break free. As seconds dragged on and the suffocating sensation grew unbearable, just when she thought sheâd pass out, the teacher finally released her. Gasping for air, she barely caught her breath before her head was plunged back into the water.
This happened over over until Merry lay soaked and powerless on the ground.
The teacher stared down at her, âWill you behave now?â
Merry, finally catching her breath, yelled, âThis is intentional injury, and itâs illegalâ
She was silenced again by the water.
âWill you behave?â The teacher snapped.
Splash.
âWill you?â
Splash.
Merry wasnât sure how long the torment lasted. The suffocation was driving her to the brink of madness. At last, crying, she relented, âIâll behave
The teacher tossed her aside. âThen go to class.â
Chapter 15
She hadnât even changed her clothes one look into the teacherâs eyes, and Merry knew she had no choice but to enter the classroom in her drenched outfit.
The October chill bit deep, and she shivered uncontrollably.
She looked around and realized this school was a fortress Except for the main gate, there no escape.
Paulina strode into her home, her mind churning with unsettling thoughts about that eerieâlooking school.
As dusk turned to evening, Cain walked through the door, and she immediately voiced her concerns, âI canât help but wonder how Merryâs doing right now.â
Cain shrugged nonchalantly. âWhy not give her a call?
That seemed to click in Paulinaâs head, and she nodded, âRight, Iâll give her a call.â
Without hesitation, she dialed the headmasterâs number, and he picked up promptly. âThe kids have settled in well, knowing thereâs no one here to coddle them. Merryâs adapting nicely.â
But Paulinaâs worry wouldnât subside, âThen, can I talk to her? Just need to hear her voice for a bitâ
Meanwhile, Cordelia, having returned from school herself, couldnât shake the nagging feeling that something off. She quickly shot a text to Yates, âCan you find out which school Little Parrot is attending?â