Chapter 179

The office was packed with reporters. When Cordelia walked in, it was as if someone had hit thepause button–the whole room turned to stare at her.

With a rigid spine and measured steps, Cordelia made her way through the sea of curious faces.

Latham, surprised by her entrance, blinked in surprise. “Cordelia, what brings you here?” echoedthe principal’s voice, thick with concern.

Cordelia had come to buy time, hoping to stall any drastic decisions from the principal. But withMerry and Daniel still on their way, she didn’t quite know what to say. So she just looked at Leila.And like dominos, all eyes followed to land on her.

Leila, feeling the weight of their gazes, looked baffled, and Paulina, equally perplexed, turned toCordelia, “What’s going on?”

In the middle of this confusion, Merry and Daniel burst into the office, waving a piece of papertriumphantly.

“We did it!”

Cordelia exhaled in relief, took the paper, and handed it to the Principal. Daniel chimed in,“Principal, our classmates heard about Latham’s situation. This here is a petition signed by all of us.We believe Latham’s been falsely accused!”

Latham’s face, a mask of disbelief, slowly softened as he looked at Daniel. He’d dedicated his life toteaching, never asking for anything in return, just to be true to his conscience.

This year’s class had been a tough bunch: Juliana with her petty jealousies, Merry with herrebellious punk rock style, and Cordelia, ever the aloof one.

Yet now, in his hour of need, they had rallied to his defense with a manifesto of support.

Tears traced lines down Latham’s face as he stood tall, his voice ringing out strong, “Let me justsay–I’m totally cool with my conscience! If they suspend me over this investigation, it’s still worth itknowing I’ve touched so many student lives.”

The reporters were stunned, their pens and microphones hanging in limbo.

They had come expecting a sensational scandal, but instead, something felt wrong.

The room fell silent, no one daring to pursue Latham further.

The evidence was circumstantial at best, the truth murky and elusive.

Leila never truly intended for Latham to be imprisoned. She craved her parents‘ attention, herclassmates pitying glances. As for Latham… In a country where reputation is everything, the lack ofa clear verdict was damage enough.

He would now live in the shadow of endless rumors, and the school would surely hesitate to employhim again.

Leila looked at Merry, her eyes dimming before she burst into tears. “Merry, we’re sisters! Why areyou him?”

you helping Her words shifted Paulina’s focus immediately. She glared at Merry, “How can you defend thismonster after what he did to your sister? You’re breaking my heart!”

Merry met her gaze, retorting icily. “I’ll tell you why!”

She stood in the center, faced the press, and said, “When I was falsely accused of theft, it was Mr.Latham who supported me. When I was expelled, he helped me transfer schools. When you cut me offfinancially, it was Latham’s meal card that kept me from going hungry.”

Paulina was taken aback, “I asked Leila to top up your card!”

Merry’s smile was bitter as she glanced at Leila, too weary to e explain.

Merry’s smile felt like a slap on Paulina’s face.

Merry’s eyes fell as she continued, “Mom, I’m tired of this. I’m doing well now. But that doesn’t meanI can lie for her Latham has dedicated his life to education; his future can’t be destroyed by Leila’slies.”

“You…” Paulina, shaking with fury, pointed at her daughter, “Are you doing this because you resentLeila? You’re sisters! What grudge could possibly justify this?”

Merry stood firm, unwavering behind Latham.

The class‘ collective support, the shifting tide of the press, and even the principal’s interventionpointed to one thing. “We need to investigate this thoroughly…

“What’s there to investigate?” Paulina shouted, “It seems like the school wants to cover for him! Andthat petition could have been signed by just one person for all we know! If he could do this to my daughter, he could do it to any student. Those too scared to come forward are one thing, but hemust answer for what he did to my child!”

“I have an answer for you.” At that moment, Officer Skyler, in full uniform, strode into the room.

Holding up his laptop, he announced, “Funny thing, there’s no camera inside this office, but awindblown camera on a tree outside caught the whole thing. I’ve just looked into the school’ssecurity system to retrieve the footage. Let’s have a look.”

As the footage played, it was hard to see through the glass and distance, but they could make outLatham’s silhouette behind his desk. The girl with him was unmistakably Leila!

She stripped off her clothes, ran to the door screaming for help, and then flung it open!

The truth was laid bare for all to see, and the room fell into a stunned silence.

–

Everyone in the room froze, their faces a study in shock. It seemed that no one had anticipated theexistence of that surveillance camera, its lens skewed by a gust of wind a stroke of luck soincredible it was as if the heavens themselves refused to allow Latham to go down in disgrace!

Faced with irrefutable evidence, there was no more room for doubt.

Paulina was completely flabbergasted. She turned to look at Leila, only to find her equally stunned.

The truth was laid bare for all to see, and Leila knew she was done for..

But she hadn’t been bested by someone else; it was sheer bad luck that had defeated her!

Seeing Leila’s world collapsing around her, Paulina grasped the gravity of the situation. Consumedby anger, she lashed out, her hand striking Leila’s cheek with a resounding smack, “Why would you do this?!”