Chapter 176

for yourself, haven’t you?”

Daniel froze for a second before understanding. “Latham, so that’s why you whisked her off to thenurses office! Just to make sure she was all clear, so she wouldn’t come back to bite me in the buttlater? Man. you’re slick–way more cautious than me!”

Latham chuckled, giving Daniel a playful kick in the shin. “Kid, I want a 500–word essay on my deskto make it right. Can’t be giving people ammo to use against you, get it?”

Daniel nodded, a sheepish grin on his face. “Sure thing! But, Latham, can we maybe make it 200words?”

Get lost!” Latham cursed.

Daniel’s laughter trailed him out the door.

As he reached the entrance, he spotted Leila, and his smile briefly turned into a grimace. But hequickly shook it off and strutted back to his classroom with a scoff.

Leila stood frozen at the office door, her expression shifting rapidly before she headed towards herclassroom.

Classes One and Two were adjacent. As she passed by Class One, she saw through the windowthat a crowd had gathered around Merry’s desk. They were laughing and chatting, the previousaloofness nowhere in sight.

Glancing down at her own solitary shadow, Leila clenched her fists tightly.

After school, she was picked up by her family’s car and taken home, only to find that aside from thehousekeeper, Cain and Paulina were nowhere to be seen.

“Where are Mom and Dad?” Leila inquired “Oh, they’ve gone to deliver some things to Miss Merry,” the housekeeper replied.

Leila bit her lip hard. Merry again! As she climbed the stairs, she overheard two maids gossiping.“Miss Leila seems a bit pitiable, doesn’t she?”

“Pity her? Miss Merry’s the one who deserves pity after all she’s been through. She used to buttheads with her parents, but since that incident, they’ve grown much more compassionate towardsher..”

Leila’s frown deepened, and a troubling thought flashed through her mind.

At the Delaney household.

Louie had arrived after a delay due to other patients. He was administering psychotherapy to Merryin the study while Cain, Paulina, and Lorna waited in the living room.

After the session, Louie reported that while Merry’s trauma was serious, it was not beyond repair,and th gradual exposure to water would help her overcome her new phobia.

Paulina coughed awkwardly, “I don’t think Merry knows how to swim.”

Cordelia interjected. “Then she’ll learn.”

Lorna nodded in agreement, suggesting that the community’s gym, equipped with a pool andinstructors, would be the perfect place for Merry to take lessons.

The next day, returning to the Jordan residence, Cain and Paulina found Leila waiting for them.Once they would have been comforted by her presence, but now, thoughts of Merry’s detachmentand her ordeal only filled them with irritation. The couple retreated upstairs without a word.

Leila, once again feeling neglected, clenched her fists in frustration.

At school the following day, she discovered her desk had been moved to the back of the classroom.Her classmates bluntly explained they didn’t want to be near her, fearing they might end up hurt byher malicious ways.

Head down, Leila moved to her new spot, her books strewn about on the floor. As she bent down togather them, her frustration mounting, she spotted a nondescript white envelope. Ensuring no onewas watching, she secretly opened it and read the contents, her eyes narrowing with resolve.

During the break, as teachers and students headed out for exercises, Latham was about to leavethe room. when Leila approached him. “Latham, there’s something about Merry I need to talk to youabout… alone.”

Latham paused for a moment before replying, “Alright, then follow me.”

He led Leila to his office.

Latham wasn’t just a senior math teacher; he was also the head of the senior math department. So,within the school, he had not only a desk in the common office shared with other teachers, which was convenient for grading papers and taking breaks, but also his own private office.

Upon entering, he settled into the chair behind his desk.

Suddenly, Leila closed the door behind them.

Then, with a somber look in her eyes, she began to dishevel her clothes, exposing her shoulders.

Latham was caught off guard, “Leila, what on earth are you doing?”

Before he could finish his sentence, Leila rushed to the door, pounding on it, “Help me!”

Some teachers outside heard her cries and rushed over. They kicked the door open only to findLeila on the floor, crying out, “Mr. Latham, please, I beg you, let me go!”