When Cordelia got back home night something felt increasingly off. At dinner, she was somewhat distracted, and when Lorna inquired she couldnât help but express her , âIs that school really effective? Sheâs only been for a week and sheâs already a different person?
brows furrowed in contemplation.
After dinner, as was their new routine for the past week, Cordelia and Lorna headed to the study. Cordelia played some games and Lorna indulged in her painting.
Cordelia waited for a her gaming buddy, Jungler didnât reach out, prompting her to send a message.
Jungler didnât respond immediately, Cordelia booted up the game. She was about to go solo in ranked play when Jungler popped online and invited her to a duo queue.
Cordelia and once in the lobby, realized it was a trio setup with another player. Jungler typed, âMind if I bring a gal along?â
âNo problem,â Cordelia replied.
They played a game, but Cordelia was restless. After the match, just as she was considering another round, she dropped out and texted Jungler, âSomethingâs up. You two play on.â
Her intuition was seldom off, and she had a nagging feeling that something was up with Merry.
People didnât change that drastically overnight.
She thought about calling Yates, but for some reason, as she switched to the phone app, her fingers instinctively dialed a number she knew by heart.
As soon as the call connected, Everardâs voice came through, âWhatâs up, sweetie?â
Cordeliaâs eyes flickered, âI think thereâs something wrong with Little Parrot.â
âWhy do you say that?â
She sighed, âJust a hunch.â
As soon as those words left her mouth, she knew they lacked conviction. Who would take a hunch seriously?
She braced for some comforting but noncommittal response when Everard surprised her, âAlright, Iâll look into it.â
Cordelia blinked, âYou believe me?â
With a chuckle, Everard replied, âWhy wouldnât I?â His voice, deep and resonant, seemed to wrap around her, and his reply warmed her more than the thickest blanket on a cold night.
âThanks,â Cordelia said softly.
She was just a student, unsure of how to investigate, and could only rely on Everard.
âIâll have an answer for you tomorrow,â Everard promised.
âOkay.â
After hanging up, Cordelia rose from her seat after a while, told Lorna she was heading to bed, and retreated to her room to bury herself in her chemistry textbook.
The next morning, Everard called with alarming news, âThat school is definitely sketchy. Iâve got people gathering evidence, but you should prevent the Jordan family from sending your friend there todayâ
Cordelia was stunned, âWhatâs the problem?â
âI theyâre using corporal punishment. Iâm still looking into the specifics.â
1/3
Corporal punishment?
Her pupils contracted, and without hesitation, she said, âGot , Iâm going to stop Little Parrotâs parents right now.â
She dashed out to her car and drove towards the Jordan residence.
On the way, she called Latham to excuse herself from school. After hearing the situation, he not only agreed but also added, âTalk it out with the Jordans. Actually Iâll head over there myself in a bit.â
Unfortunately, by the time Cordelia arrived, the Jordansâ butler informed her that Paulina had already taken Merry to school early that morning.
In the Jordansâ car, Merry was struggling to memorize passages from her literature book, repeating lines over and over. Paulina looked on with a mix of pride and pity.
âIf only you had started working harder earlier, you wouldnât have to struggle so much now,â she sighed, âMerry, stop for a bit and have some breakfast.â
âNo need,â Merry replied without lifting her gaze from her book, her concentration waning as the school loomed closer, bringing with it a wave of dread,
Sensing Merryâs discomfort, Paulinaâs brows drew together, âWhatâs wrong, Merry?â
Clutching her chest, Merry shook her head, âMom, can we not go to that school anymore?â
But Paulinaâs reply was firm, âYouâve changed so much in just a week there. Just stick it out a little longer.â
At the thought of the consequences of not mastering her assignment, Merry grabbed Paulinaâs hand
desperately, âMom, please, Iâll do anything you say from now on, just take me back home.â
Tears welled up in her eyes.
Paulina was torn, but as she was about to respond, Merry pleaded, âDo you love me, Mom?â
âOf course, I love you. Why would you ask that?â
âIf you love me, take me home.â Merryâs voice became shrill, âIf you donât take me home, then you donât love me.â Paulinaâs sympathy vanished at that moment, replaced by the image of her rebellious daughter. How could she equate going home with love?
She took a deep breath and looked ahead, âYou might hate me now, but one day, youâll understand that I did it all for your sake.â
âFor my sake, my foot.â Merry beat the seat in frustration, âI want to go home. I want to go home.â
But it was late, and the school was in sight. The homeroom teacher approached with a smile, âMerry, time to get out of the car.â
Merry stumbled out of the car, her eyes darting nervously towards Paulina. Suddenly, with a quiver in her voice, she blurted out, âI hate you, I really do.â
With those words, she turned on her heels and marched towards the school building, leaving a stunned Paulina standing alone with a mix of confusion and offense.
The headmaster approached Paulina, exhaling a weary sigh, âYou know, teenagers and their rebellious phases. Donât worry, by the time she comes home, sheâll be back to behave.â
Paulina simply nodded, clinging to that reassurance.
Inside, Merry followed her homeroom teacher into the school where the class was reciting some complex passages. One by one, each student recited their lines flawlessly. But when it was Merryâs turn, her mind tangled into knots. The teacherâs stern gaze turned fierce, and in a swift move, she grabbed Merry by the hair and dragged her towards the water fountain.
2/3
Chapter 157
When Cordelia reached the gates of Elite Future Academy, they were already closed.
She knocked on the imposing iron gates, and soon enough, a security guard opened them. Cordelia said firmly, âIâm here to see Merry.â
The guard took one look at her uniform and hesitated before barking, âWhat are you doing here, stirring trouble at our schoolâs doorstep? Get lost.â
Cordelia challenged, âAre you going to let me in or not?â
The guard stood taller, almost puffing up his chest, âNo way.â
And thenâ¦