“I understand. I understand! This time, I’ll definitely behave and listen to you, Ned!” Tommy raised his hand and swore, “Otherwise, let me rot in jail!”
Ned picked up his coat draped over the back of his couch. He was blue in the face as he left.
“Ned, let me drive you!” said Tommy as he hurried to catch up.
To demonstrate their sincerity in apologizing to Angeline, the parents reserved a private room at the best restaurant in River Town.
When Angeline and Kevin arrived, the entire restaurant had been cleared out. Confused, they were led by the restaurant’s staff to the entrance of the private room.
As the door was pushed open, they were surprised to see Ned seated at the head of the large round table in the room.
Several bodyguards stood inside the room, and the parents sat timidly in their seats like quails on their eggs. With fear in their eyes, they glanced at Angeline and quickly lowered their heads, too afraid to speak.
While biting an unlit cigarette and playing with a metal lighter in his hand, Ned stared at Angeline intently.
Before she and Kevin could react, the door to the private room behind them was already closed.
She glanced back at the bodyguard who pushed her and Kevin, but before she could regain her senses, their bags were snatched away.
“Sir, what you’re doing now is against the law!” Kevin warned.
Ned sneered, “Lawyers should speak with evidence! Do you have any evidence?”
As soon as he finished speaking, a male and a female bodyguard stepped forward to search their bodies.
Angeline stood still as the female bodyguard Ned brought searched her and took away her phone. Kevin’s recorder was also confiscated.
“So… you’ve already coerced the parents into siding with you. Am I the only one left?” she questioned fearlessly as she met Ned’s gaze. “You’re determined to protect Tommy at all costs, are you?”
“Ms. Emmerson, I’m sorry. Our kids didn’t know any better!” said Michael’s father with a pale face, standing up.
“It’s my fault for being misled before. I wanted to deceive you to get your letter of forgiveness on behalf of my son by accusing Tommy of being the one who instructed him to bully Henrietta. I was wrong, and I’m very sorry!”
Angeline’s fists tightened at her side.
“Ms. Emmerson, I’m also sorry… for making you come here for nothing. I’m deeply sorry!” said another student’s mother, who also stood up to apologize.
After all the parents took their turns to apologize, Ned finally lit the cigarette and spread his hands.
Smiling at Angeline, he said, “Look! This matter has nothing to do with Tommy.”
“Ned Fletcher, do you take everyone here as a fool?”
She closed her eyes and relaxed her clenched fist before continuing, “I don’t know how you threatened these parents, but since… you’ve achieved your goal, can we leave now?”
From the moment he appeared before her, she already knew she had come here for nothing.
“You may all leave!” he said, flicking off the ash from his cigarette.
As soon as he finished speaking, the parents got up one after another and left hastily.
“Don’t forget your promises, or face the consequences!” Ned reminded as he watched them flee the scene.
Angeline turned to leave, but Ned suddenly said, “Angeline, stay without your lawyer. I have something to tell you.”
Kevin looked concernedly at her and asked, “Ms. Emmerson?”