Chapter 1142
The children, pampered since infancy, had never faced such a threat. Roxanne's unreasonable shove to the ground frightened them; her expression suggested further discipline.
"Y-Yes. We'll apologize..." a girl stammered, tears welling. Their apologies filled the air. Roxanne sighed, helplessly, and gathered Estella back into her arms. She never anticipated such spite from children, let alone a coordinated bullying of the weak.
Meanwhile, Pamela, having comforted a crying child, turned to find chaos. "What's going on? Miss, who are you? Parents aren't allowed in during class," she said, walking over to stand between Roxanne and the children. Seeing Estella in Roxanne's arms, Pamela's heart sank. Estella, the class "princess," was being held by a stranger. She couldn't bear the consequences of any harm.
"Please put the child down. I'm the teacher. Talk to me if there's a problem," Pamela said cautiously.
Roxanne frowned, displeased. Estella had been bullied, yet the teacher noticed nothing; this concern felt performative. Sensing Roxanne's dissatisfaction, Pamela felt she'd offended someone powerful. "Uh... Are you Essie's relative?" she asked carefully.
Roxanne froze, glancing at Estella, who, still shaken from Roxanne's fierceness, clung silently to her arm. Roxanne had implicitly claimed motherhood; denial now seemed inappropriate. She decided to continue the charade. "I'm Essie's mother."
Suspicion clouded Pamela's face. Roxanne, however, prevented further questioning in front of the children. "I'd like to talk to you about this outside," she said.
Pamela hesitated, then agreed, instructing the teaching assistant to supervise before leaving the classroom with Roxanne.
"Essie doesn't have a mother. Who are you?" Pamela knew Roxanne was lying. "Ms. Pearson drops Essie off; she's her future stepmother. Who are you?"
Roxanne, unprepared for Pamela's knowledge, was speechless. Her silence deepened Pamela's suspicion. Pamela glanced at Estella, who looked pale and close to tears from the earlier ordeal.
Pamela warned, "I'm calling the police if you don't explain yourself," and reached for her phone.
Roxanne steeled herself. "I'm Essie's aunt."
Pamela stopped, scrutinizing Roxanne.