Chapter 395

Maeve had no plans. She told Paige not to worry and dismissed the matter. However, the incident reached the principal of Islaton Private International Kindergarten.

The ensuing surveillance review revealed that Maeve's assistant had sent the school uniform to the security room, only to have it discarded by the guard that day! The guard acted discreetly, avoiding the cameras. But the kindergarten had numerous hidden cameras, even the staff were unaware of, to deter intruders. The guard's actions were caught on camera.

The guard, motivated by bribery, readily confessed everything to the principal. On the day Paige helped Maeve, Faye was present. Paige, neither a parent nor a staff member, had to rely on the guard. Faye cleverly avoided directly bribing him; instead, she called later, offering $100,000 from her competition winnings.

The guard accepted the bribe, discarding Maeve's uniform. However, fearing Faye wouldn't pay, he kept the uniform as evidence.

The principal was troubled. The incident would damage the kindergarten's reputation. If Faye's win was illegitimate, how would the public perceive Islaton? "Principal, Mr. Soar is here," her assistant announced.

The principal saw Mr. Soar arrive in his wheelchair. Despite his apparent disability, no one dared underestimate him. She greeted him respectfully: "Mr. Soar, your presence honors us."

"I'll be direct. I plan to donate several teaching buildings and a library," Gale stated.

The principal was delighted. "Mr. Soar, your generosity is commendable."

"But I have a condition."

"Yes?"

Gale declined coffee from the assistant, waiting for his butler to receive it before accepting it. "In the recent Arts and Theatrical festival, a boy sang 'Demon Sleep.' Do you remember?"

The principal, having seen the performance, immediately sensed trouble. She associated Gale’s power and influence with... unsavory implications.

"Mr. Soar, our students aren't commodities," she stated. "Please don't misunderstand."

Gale's eyebrows rose. "What do you take me for?"

Embarrassed by her misinterpretation, the principal apologized.

There had been a previous incident, which she'd handled personally. Gale, tolerant, didn't press the matter. "That boy sings well. I hope the school prioritizes him in future singing programs."

The principal's expression was complicated. She knew the boy's mother was Maeve, the father unknown. Gale's donation seemed excessive, hinting at an unusual relationship, but paternity felt far-fetched.

"Mr. Soar, your relationship with the child?" she asked cautiously.

Gale returned the coffee cup. His tone was impassive. "None. I'm a fan."

He showed no shame admitting this. The principal was speechless.

Gale had come personally, unwilling to delegate the matter, concerned about his future sleep. He could have hired someone, but preferred to avoid the hassle.

Leaving, he noticed the school uniform. "Is this your school uniform?"

Before the principal could deny it, he added, "Not bad. Good taste."

The principal quickly changed her answer. "This is our new uniform design!"

Later, the assistant asked, "Principal, are you replacing Ms. Nole's design?"

"She used unfair means. She doesn't deserve first place," the principal said, her face darkening. "Initially, I hesitated, fearing reputational damage. But Mr. Soar praised Ms. Reese's design. If I don't use a superior design, it reflects poorly on me."

The assistant, enlightened, asked, "You seem afraid of Mr. Soar."

"Afraid? This is reverence," the principal sighed.

The online controversy reached Theo and Tommy. Furious, they planned to confront the online trolls.

Before they could act, Islaton released a statement, revoking Faye's win and promising future collaboration.

"Tommy, look! Big tree peanuts!" Theo yelled from the kitchen.

Will corrected him, "Big events."

"Mommy, mommy!" Theo urged.

Maeve rushed out, seeing the online statement. The matter was resolved unexpectedly. Faye bribed the guard and other designers to withdraw.

"The prize money was $100,000, but Faye spent more. What was her goal?" Maeve wondered.