Chapter 85
Alison's breath hitched, her heart pounding. Terrified of the summons' consequences, she was also shocked by the wicked gleam in Aurora's eyes. She opened her mouth to speak, but found herself speechless. Finally, she simply walked away, looking dazed and defeated.
As Alison's retreating figure vanished, the students from Class F crowded around Aurora, their curiosity piqued. They'd expected a confrontation. "Professor Crawford, what did you say to her? She just left without a fuss," one student asked. Alison, they mused, looked like a toothless tiger—all bark and no bite. They wondered if she might be plotting something.
Aurora's expression instantly returned to normal. She dismissed their questions. "She probably remembered how badly I beat her last time. Got cold feet and decided to bail," she said dismissively. She stood, closed the door, and announced, "Everyone, get back to your test papers. When you're done, take out yesterday morning's comprehensive science exam."
Summer heat seeped in, the incessant cicada chirps grating on everyone's nerves. Inside, the air conditioner hummed, pushing back the oppressive heat. In Class F, students hunched over their papers, pens marking weak spots and areas for improvement. Even Jack, usually the most rebellious, was intensely focused.
As days passed, a palpable tension settled over Mereida High School. The hallways buzzed with students frantically reviewing, desperately plugging knowledge gaps. Everyone was fighting for their future.
"Aurora, you've gone too far! I won't let you get away with this!" a shrill female voice echoed through the empty corridor, the last words almost a shriek. At lunchtime, Aurora had been summoned to the administration office. The outburst had come from Alison.
Aurora refused to drop the charges. Initially, Jaxon wasn't worried; he thought she'd return after facing some hardship. But Aurora never returned, not even a phone call. William's impatience grew, so Jaxon reluctantly called Aurora, but she hung up as soon as he explained his reason. After that, he couldn't reach her. He didn't know where she lived and was too embarrassed to show his face at school. Ultimately, he had to swallow his pride. Desperation drove William to bring Nancy and Alison to beg for mercy.
In the school office, he pleaded, but Aurora remained unmoved, impervious to both gentle persuasion and harsh demands. She curtly ended the conversation, stating she had to study that afternoon. Alison, consumed by regret and fear, clung to the doorframe, shouting angrily at Aurora's retreating figure.
Legal troubles consumed Alison. Within a week, she was a shadow of her former self, rapidly losing weight and shedding hair. The expensive lawyer William hired said her actions wouldn't hold up in court. The best he could hope for was a reduced sentence; acquittal was impossible.
Aurora paused. Through the open door, she saw Nancy comforting a sobbing Alison, while William stood agitated nearby. After a moment, Aurora turned and walked away. If you’ve made a mistake, you should face the consequences. What good does crying and making a scene do? she mused.
She had no connection to Alison and couldn't recall provoking her. Yet Alison, like an indestructible cockroach, constantly teamed up with Maura to cause trouble. Aurora wasn't Alison's playmate; she had her own life. She had no time for childish games of mud-slinging and retaliation.
Rounding the corner, she bumped into Margaret, who was huffing up the stairs with an enormous lunchbox. "Rory!" Margaret's face lit up. "Rory, have you eaten yet? This is a special nutritious meal my dad made for me. It's supposed to make you smarter!" She generously offered, "I'll share half with you!"
A gentle breeze carried the sweet scent of osmanthus flowers, easing Aurora's tension. "Okay," she agreed. Margaret, flashing a goofy grin, grabbed her hand, and they dashed back to Class F.
Days melted away, and SAT day arrived. Alison hadn't bothered her again. Mereida, a furnace city, already felt the summer's heat in early June. Stepping outside meant instant drenching sweat.
As the exam began, Mereida High School fell silent. Even the hallway monitors softened their footsteps. Aurora sat in a comfortably air-conditioned classroom, surrounded by furiously scribbling students. Outside, royal poinciana trees blazed fiery red. As dismissal neared, the main gate swelled with parents, faces glistening with sweat, clutching cold items. They waited patiently, determined to see their children. This was day one of the SATs, the culmination of over a decade of hard work.
Exiting Mereida High School, Aurora heard, "Over here, Aurora!" Giles and Irene were waving. "What are you guys doing here?" she asked, surprised. Irene's face was flushed. "It's your SAT day! We're here to pick you up, of course!" Giles had even taken the day off.
Aurora's eyes welled up, touched by their concern. She got in the car. In the car, Irene chattered excitedly. "Ms. Whitaker, you must come over for dinner. I want my boy to meet Mereida's top student. Maybe it'll inspire him to bring home some top scores too!" Giles chuckled, "Honey, Marcus is still years away from college. Isn't it a bit early to be thinking about his SATs?" "It's never too early! Good education starts young," Irene insisted.
Chapter 83
Aurora smiled and agreed, but her mind wandered. Since moving from Crawford Manor, Jason hadn't called except to ask her to drop the lawsuit. Seeing other parents pick up their children made her envious, though she'd never admit it. She was used to hiding her feelings, maintaining a mask of indifference. Ultimately, it was a stranger who remembered this significant day.
That evening, after dinner at Giles' house, Aurora went upstairs to review for tomorrow's exam. Suddenly, the phone rang. Aurora glanced at the screen. It was Jaxon. On this day, she couldn't help but feel a flicker of hope. "Dad," she answered, her voice tinged with anticipation.
His words stopped her cold. "Come home tomorrow morning. Your mother left something behind." Aurora's mind raced. Is he using Mom's old watch to threaten me? Confusion and worry etched across her face. "Tomorrow?" she frowned. "That's the second day of the SATs. How can I go? I need to be there!"
Jaxon cut her off impatiently. "I don't want excuses. You've got one shot to get this thing back. If you're not here in the morning, you lose it for good." He hung up. As the dial tone buzzed, a flicker of rage sparked in Aurora's eyes.