Chapter 181

Cordelia hatched the plan with the help of Mr. All–Round, a man with a knack for handling stickysituations Now, Mr. All Round had crafted a statement for her to read to the press.

She wasn’t one for melodrama, and thankfully, the words Mr. All–Round sent her were devoid ofany tear–jerking appeal Instead, they were a rational and objective list of the consequences ofjuvenile delinquency The reality was grim, too many had been wrongfully accused of indecency.

Students would utter a few words, and educators were left scrambling to clear their names. Somewere driven to despair, even suicide, while others used the Juvenile Protection Act to shirkresponsibility, only to err even more grievously later on Cordelia’s voice was cool and detached, yet her words sent shockwaves through the audience.

After finishing Mr. All–Round’s statement, she added, “…The Juvenile Protection Act wasn’t meantto shield them from the consequences of their crimes.”

Her remark left the reporters in profound silence.

Leila’s brazen comments were all caught on tape, and now, paired with Cordelia’s statement, thejournalists. had struck gold.

Despite recognizing Leila’s rotten streak, Cain and Paulina couldn’t deny she was their flesh andblood, which made it impossible for them to abandon her.

“The law will decide what happens! What’s all this ruckus for? Let’s go!” Cain declared.

The principal revoked Leila’s enrollment.

And so, Cain and Paulina returned home with Leila in tow.

The school appeared peaceful again, but they were oblivious to the storm brewing online.

Stirred by certain individuals, the issue had escalated into a public debate.

Videos of Leila, her face pixelated, flooded the internet. Her defiant words ignited public outrage,“So what if the truth comes out? I’m underage; I won’t face jail time. It’s no big deal, just back tobeing unloved by my parents and shunned by classmates. After the finals, I’ll leave this city. Whatcan you do to me?”

The thing about Leila went viral, sparking intense discussions across society.

Amidst the growing clamor online, the Jordans remained defiant. “Could they really change the law?Ha, I’m underage, what can they do?” Leila scoffed.

Paulina looked at her daughter and felt only estrangement.

She dared not approach Leila, feeling as if she never knew her own child.

Cain confined her to her room for reflection.

It wasn’t until Cain sensed trouble and tried to arrange for her to leave the country that hediscovered she was barred from exiting Greenmeadow City.

After calling the police station, he was informed, “There’s been a defamation complaint against her,so we’ve initiated an investigation. She can’t leave the city during this time.”

Cain panicked Two days later, the police arrived at their door.

12:44 The sight of them made the anxious flutter in Cain and Paulina’s hearts plummet into resignation.The mevitable had finally happened “What will happen to Leila? they inquired The officers replied “The district attorney has decided to sentence Leila to five years in a juveniledetention center Should her behavior worsen, her sentence might be extended.”

A juvenile detention center a sugar–coated term for youth prison!

As Pauling was about to speak, Cain stepped aside. Once the officers escorted Leila downstairs,she struggled. I’m underage, I haven’t done anything heinous, you can’t do this!”

The officers were unmoved and escorted her out forcefully Leila cried out. “Dad, Mom, I’m your daughter. Are you really going to abandon me?”

Tears streamed down Paulina’s face as she sobbed uncontrollably.

Cain, steadying Paulina, said. “We failed to teach you, let others show you how to be a person.”

With that they turned their backs.

Leila was led away, her angry screams and the police sirens fading into the distance, leavingbehind an empty house.

They had two daughters, and now, they had none.

That evening. Merry visited.

Cain and Paulina were overjoyed, desperately welcoming her in. Paulina, through tears, pleaded,“Merry, we misunderstood you. Please come back home.”

Merry shook her head, “Mom, Dad, the hurt this home has caused me might never heal. Distancemakes the heart grow fonder; I’m fine staying with Lia.”

She continued, “I’m here today to tell you that I’ve accepted the money. I’ll provide for you in oldage. As for everything else, let’s call it even.

Standing, she bowed deeply to Cain and Paulina, Thank you for giving me life.”

After speaking her piece, Merry walked out the door.

Cain and Paulina wanted to hold her back but were at a loss for words, watching as she left withoutlooking back.

With Leila’s drama resolved, Cordelia felt the peace she longed for. That night, Merry retired to theroom. Cordelia was no longer afraid to take showers but still dreaded deep water.

guest Cordelia was engrossed in complex math problems when her phone buzzed. It was a call fromEverard, She ignored it until she finished her work, then finally picked up.

“Hey, kiddo, fancy breakfast tomorrow?” Everard’s voice came through.

Cordelia replied, “…No thanks. Lunch, maybe.”

Cain and Paulina had agreed to stop pestering Merry, so there’d be no more home–deliveredlunches Cordelia and Merry planned to go out for some food.

Everard was about to say more, but Cordelia cut the call short.

Everard’s mouth twitched. He opened his messaging app and sent a text from Mr. All–Round’saccount to Cordelia: “What’re you up to?”

Chapter τσι LearnLover replied, “I’m reading, what’s up?”

Mr. All–Round said, “Nothing much, just heard through the grapevine that you’ve got yourself aboyfriend. What do you make of him?”

Cordelia gazed at the text message and took a moment to ponder before replying, “He’s the typewho’s got love on the brain and nothing else. A one–trick pony when it comes to life skills.”

After sending the message, she went back to her reading, her focus unbroken.

Come 9:30 PM, Lorna called her into the den for a gaming session. She had been playing solo forsome time. now, not teaming up with “Jungler” for several days.

The next day, she and Merry headed to school. Merry was tasked with gathering Leila’s books, butwhen she returned from second period her expression was unusually somber, She handed Cordelia an envelope, “Lia, I found this among Leila’s stuff.”

Cordelia accepted the envelope and as she opened it, the handwriting inside gave her pause.

That familiar handwriting….