The Real Daughter Came Back to Chill and Kill novel Chapter 7

Scarlett narrowed her eyes by a fraction. It seemed she would have to meet the principal in person.

Back when the Quinn family brought her back, they hadn't even consulted her before directly enrolling her in this school.

But even before she was brought to the Quinn residence, she had already been corresponding with this school's principal through letters.

The principal, Bill Hayes, had invited her to attend this high school, offering full tuition exemption and even promising to sponsor her living expenses for three years.

At the time, she had declined. She wanted to stay in her small hometown, close to her mother and grandmother, to take care of them.

It wasn't until the Quinn family intervened and arranged for her mother and grandmother to move into a nursing home that she could attend this school.

The Quinn family thought her admission was entirely under their control—little did they know that whether she attended or not was entirely her decision.

If she wanted to stay, no one could drive her away.

If she didn't want to attend this school, no one could make her stay.

Scarlett didn't intend to waste any more time on pointless people or matters. She grabbed her suitcase and walked away without a backward glance.

Jonah opened his mouth, as if wanting to say something, but in the end, he silently closed it again. His gaze lingered on Scarlett's tall, resolute figure, and an inexplicable sense of loss stirred within him.

She used to tread carefully around him, always afraid of offending him. But now, she didn't seem to care about him at all.

That realization unsettled Jonah deeply, leaving a sour taste in his mouth.

"What's wrong, Jonah?" Lily tugged at his sleeve, speaking in a soft, sugary voice.

Jonah looked away. "It's nothing." After a moment's pause, he added, "Scarlett's been acting a little strange lately."

"I think so too… Could it be that she was shaken because Mom and Dad gave me the Celestial Drop yesterday? This is all my fault then…"

Lily lowered her head, her voice filled with remorse. For once, Jonah didn't rush to comfort her.

Instead, he frowned slightly. He had forgotten that it had been Scarlett's birthday yesterday, too.

They had all been busy preparing lavish gifts for Lily and completely ignored Scarlett.

Could Scarlett be reacting this way because she was upset they hadn't prepared anything for her?

"Don't overthink it. This isn't your fault," Jonah said stiffly before turning and striding away.

Lily felt suffocated, frustrated beyond words. She hadn't expected Scarlett to clear her name so easily today.

It seemed to her that the web she had spun was effortlessly ripped apart, and now even Jonah's attitude toward her had changed slightly.

Damn Scarlett. Why hadn't she just died by the roadside? Why did she have to come to school and ruin everything?

Turning back, Lily immediately put on an apologetic face and said, "I'm so sorry, everyone. This whole mess started because of me. I didn't expect a rumor to cause such a misunderstanding—"

Before she could finish, Herbert cut her off, "This isn't your fault. Rumors don't just appear out of thin air. She must have questionable character to have rumors like that spread about her. You're the pride of our school, Lily. Don't blame yourself. Go on back to class now."

…

Outside the staff quarters, sunlight poured over Scarlett's tall, upright figure.

Just as she was about to head upstairs to look for Bill, a playful, clear whistle echoed from above.

Looking up, she spotted the same boy she had just seen in the office, illuminated by the warm sunlight.

He was wearing the school uniform, but it was casually unbuttoned to the second button, revealing the edge of a white T-shirt underneath—a picture of youthful arrogance and recklessness.

"Hey, gorgeous! Come on up! Mr. Hayes is waiting for you in his office!" he shouted.

When Scarlett didn't immediately move, Percy grew impatient and bounded downstairs, grabbing her suitcase.

"I'll help you with that."

Scarlett raised an eyebrow but let go of the handle, allowing him to help. "Percy Stroud?"

"Hehe, that's me! We've met before—you probably forgot."

"I didn't forget, Mr. Apology."

Percy was famous for getting into trouble and writing endless apology letters, often having to read them aloud during school assemblies.