Chapter 173

Paulina’s mouth opened instinctively, ready to continue defending Leila, but it was at this momentshe realized she was at a loss for words.

Cain remained stern as he clenched his fists. Suddenly, he turned to the police officer, “Officer,Leila only shared her own photos. That can’t carry a heavy sentence, right?”

Skyler, who looked slightly disappointed, said, “As despicable as the act was, it didn’t really causeany tangible harm, so we can only detain her.”

Cain didn’t miss a beat, “We’ll get a lawyer and apply for bail.”

Skyler exhaled deeply, “Alright.”

Turning to the headmaster, Cain pressed on, “Leila is a student at your school. I presume you don’twant this scandal to tarnish the school’s reputation, do you?”

The headmaster frowned, “But the school must discipline Ms. Leila. Her actions were appalling andhave severely impacted Merry. We must place a demerit on her record.”

A mark on her record would affect Leila’s entire life.

But after everything she had done wrong, Cain was no longer willing to plead on her behalf.

Cain nodded, “I have no objections.”

After the headmaster finished speaking, he added, “Leila is too cunning, and it’s alarming to seesuch behavior from someone who seemed so unassuming. You must take her home and discipline her. The college entrance exams are around the corner, and the fact that the school hasn’t expelledher is already the greatest mercy we can offer.”

“I understand,” Cain said, then he looked back at Skyler, “Officer, as this is a matter of reputation, Ikindly ask the police to keep the details confidential, if possible?”

Skyler glanced at Cordelia.

The photos online were identified as Merry’s, but Skyler had checked, and all the other similarphotos were fake.

These kids were all only eighteen. If the truth came out, Merry would also be implicated, and thesituation could escalate.

After a moment of thought, Skyler finally spoke, “All the photos online are fake. There was neverany photo shoot at the school, and it’s all just wild speculation.”

Once Cain and Paulina dealt with the situation, they turned to Merry.

Paulina’s lips trembled, perhaps wanting to apologize, but she realized she had been apologizing toMerry too often lately. She didn’t even know what to say if she were to apologize again.

Cain sighed deeply, “Merry, come home with us.”

Merry looked at the two of them.

far All her life, she had envied Lella, who always received the most attention and love from theirparents. But at this moment, she extinguished the last ember of envy in her heart.

She shook her head, “No, thank you.”

Her words were filled with disappointment and resignation.

Chapter 1/3 Cain’s mouth opened, but no words came out. In the end, all he could say was, “Alright, if you everwant to come home, you’re always welcome.”

Merry didn’t respond.

Cain and Paulina exchanged looks, then addressed the headmaster, “We’ll take Leila home now.”

The headmaster gestured, “Go on, make sure you teach her a good lesson.”

With that, the two left the office. As soon as they exited, they saw Leila, who had been lurkingnearby, eager to know what had been discussed inside.

Upon seeing her parents, Leila approached with uncertainty, “Dad, Mom, did you find out who itwas?”

4 Paulina stared at her, wanting to say something, but Cain cut her off, “Such a mess, how could wefind out who did it? Merry doesn’t believe us, and she’s not coming home either. Come with us.”

Leila was taken aback, “But I have classes.”

“Let’s go home first. Saying, Cain led the way.

Leila followed with unease, wondering if she had really gotten away with it.

Back in the office.

After the headmaster comforted Merry, he allowed Cordelia and Merry to leave for their classes.

Once out of the office, Merry checked her messages and saw one from Bland, “How’s it going?”

Staring at the message, Merry suddenly replied, “Bland, I don’t have a home anymore.”

From now on, whenever she was tired or troubled, she would have no harbor to rest, destined towander endlessly.

Her phone buzzed.

Looking down, Merry saw Bland’s message, “WhiteLight is always your home.”

“WhiteLight” was the name of Bland’s fans, and also her stage name as a streamer. Seeing thosewords, her heart finally found some peace.

Bland sent another message, “I’ll be waiting for you in the entertainment industry.”

Merry felt a surge of motivation and suddenly looped her arm through Cordelia’s, “Lia, I’m going todance class. I must study hard. I will get into the Ontoky City Film and Animation Academy.”

Only by becoming better could she stand beside Bland.

Cordelia, unimpressed by her sudden enthusiasm, simply replied, “Okay.”

As they headed back to class, thinking they had missed quite a bit, the fourth period was indeed insession. They entered the classroom and soon finished the lesson. At lunchtime, they continuedtheir routine and went to the pasta shop.

On the way, Merry suggested, “We should tell the owner to prepare our order at this time every day,so we don’t have to wait.”

Cordelia replied, “No need to wait, someone already ordered.”

Merry was puzzled, “Ah? Okay.”

When they arrived, sure enough, they saw Everard waiting for them, with two steaming plates ofpasta on the table.

Merry was taken aback, “Just two? Aren’t you eating?”

Everard was pleased, feeling that Merry was quite agreeable. He tapped the table and pointed to adistant table with a plate of pasta, “Yours is over there.”

Merry was confused.

Everard spoke at a leisurely pace, “You ate there that day. Don’t you want to relive the experienceof dining with your idol?”

Merry replied with feigned enthusiasm, “I would love to.”

As the group sat down for dinner, Leila, along with her siblings Cain and Paulina, had already madeit back to the family home.

Leila’s heart was pounding with unease. Throughout the drive, her parents had maintained asomber silence, exchanging not a single word.

Upon arriving home, she hurriedly spoke up, “Dad, Mom, I’ll go pack my bags. I’ll move out today.Let’s just have Merry back, okay?”

“There’s no need for that, Cain interjected.

“Come with me, Leila,” he said sternly.

Confused, Leila followed Cain upstairs to his study, As soon as she stepped through the door, Cain spun around and demanded, “Kneel.”

Leila was completely taken aback, “Dad, what are you talking about?”

“I said, kneel, Cain repeated through clenched teeth, emphasizing each word with deliberateslowness, “Do you realize what you’ve done wrong?”