Zendaya puffed out her cheeks in anger and pointed at the bandaged Johnnie. “He asked about my twin brother, so I told him about Benny. I even invited him to a playdate at our house next time. However, instead of being appreciative, he called Benny a useless invalid! He can insult me all he wants, but leave my brother alone! Hmph!”
With her hands on her hips and cheeks all rosy and puffy, Zendaya undoubtedly resembled a small, annoyed pufferfish.
“Even though Benny has never attended kindergarten, he’s still way smarter than me! I won’t let anyone bully him!” she added.
Needless to say, Hazel was shocked beyond words.
Wow! Zendaya may be young, but she already knows how to stand up for her brother. What a responsible child! Her family has taught her well…
With that, the principal cast an admiring glance at Charles, unable to take her eyes off his chiseled side profile.
Look how tall, handsome, and rich he is. He’s practically Prince Charming! Oh, if only he were single…
Johnnie’s mother, however, had a grim expression on her face. “So what if Johnnie said something inappropriate? What gives her the right to hit him? I can’t believe she’s already such a brute at this age. I wouldn’t be surprised if she ends up killing someone in the future.”
Charles immediately shot the woman a death glare, causing her to flinch and stop talking, albeit begrudgingly.
By then, Charles was so stern and solemn that the aura around him became frighteningly cold.
How dare they call Benny a useless invalid! Parents who fail to educate their children deserve to be taught a lesson.
The next second, Charles fished out his phone and texted his assistant when no one was looking.
“What now, Ms. Bardot? Not only does Zendaya’s family refuse to compensate, but they’re also unwilling to apologize. It’d be unfair to Johnnie if I let this slide! Tell me, then. How should we resolve this?” Johnnie’s mother snapped as she sat with her arms crossed.
From the looks of it, she was determined to hammer out a favorable dispute resolution before she’d let anyone leave the infirmary.
An apologetic smile crept across Hazel’s face. “There, there. It’s common for children to argue and fight. Since the parents of both kids are here, I’m sure we can resolve this.”
Johnnie’s mother snorted coldly in response.
Charles, on the other hand, remained silent. No matter how much the woman grumbled and scolded, he never said a word.
Ding!
Just then, a message notification from Charles’ phone broke the awkward silence.
Upon unlocking his phone and reading the text, Charles curled his lips into a half smile. Ha! It’s time to retaliate.
“Andy Wexler, an employee of Caliber Group, has been working there for twenty years. Due to his lack of ambition, he has contented himself with staying in the same lowly position,” he said calmly. “Tina Powell, a shampoo girl at a hair salon, used to work at a nightclub before getting married. Am I right?”
“Andy Wexler, an employee of Caliber Group, has been working there for twenty years. Due to his lack of ambition, he has contented himself with staying in the same lowly position,” he said calmly. “Tina Powell, a shampoo girl at a hair salon, used to work at a nightclub before getting married. Am I right?”
Tina’s eyes widened as she froze in her tracks. “H-How did you know all that?”
My goodness… How did he manage to dig up our family information in such a short time?
“All I have to do is send a text, and your husband will be out of a job tomorrow. The hair salon you work at will also be closed down. Do you believe me?” Charles replied, smiling sarcastically.
“You…” Tina muttered, flabbergasted and tongue-tied.
Wait a minute… Why should I believe him? If he had that much power, why would he enroll his kid in such an ordinary kindergarten? Shouldn’t he be putting her in those expensive, aristocratic kindergartens? Then again, I must admit the way he carries himself is unlike anyone else. There’s this aura about him that scares me…
The more Tina thought about it, the paler she got.
Just then, the teacher who had led Charles to the infirmary approached Tina and whispered, “He drove here in an ultra-posh Bentley, and a bunch of parents have gathered outside to admire the car. His family must be very wealthy, so I doubt he’s only saying that to scare you.”
Once again, Tina was speechless. Bentley, huh? I’ve never even seen one before… Argh! We really can’t afford to offend him.
After much consideration, she smiled sheepishly at Charles and tried to ease the tense atmosphere. “Well, there isn’t a need to take things that far, is there? Children are ignorant, so please don’t take their words to heart. I promise to educate Johnnie and ensure he watches his mouth from today onward. I’ll also remind him that it’s never okay to mock others for being sick or weak. Let’s drop this matter, shall we?”
Charles cocked his eyebrows in cold aloofness. “I did intend to drop the matter, but someone refused to give in. I even had to waste my time listening to her rattle on. I won’t be happy if we don’t settle this to my satisfaction.”
Tina stiffened as she drew a sharp breath. “How do you want to settle it, then?”
“I’ll give you two options. You can let me do as I said earlier, which means you and your husband will no longer be able to live peacefully in Salinsburgh. Or… You can take your kid out of this kindergarten and never show up here or in front of Zendaya again,” Charles drawled before taking out a cigarette pack.
Just es he wes ebout to open it, however, Zendeye suddenly grebbed his hend.
“Don’t smoke, Uncle Cherles. It stinks!” she grumbled while fenning her fece in disgust.
“All right. I won’t,” Cherles seid gently before glencing et Tine. “Ms. Powell, I hope you don’t think I’m being unreesoneble. I’ve elreedy given you two options. The decision is yours to meke.”
Tine wes utterly stunned.
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