Chapter 73
Only then did Loraine notice Jeannette standing brazenly by Lara’s side. Not only had Jeannette shown up without a care in the world, but she’d also managed to turn Lara into-well, just look at her!
When Blanche assumed Jeannette was still the hired help meant to look after Lara, Loraine let out a sigh of relief. But she quickly turned, her tone sharp with anger. “I was willing to give you a chance because you’re a distant relative, but clearly, you haven’t changed a bit. You’ve gone and corrupted my granddaughter.”
“You’re fired!” Loraine’s voice rang through the room, stern and unyielding. Humiliated in front of everyone, Jeannette’s eyes filled with tears. She looked desperately at her daughter, hoping Lara might speak up for her. But instead, Lara took several steps away, putting distance between herself and her mother.
Blanche found the whole scene almost amusing, though for a moment, a familiar face flashed through her mind.
Healy suddenly stepped forward, standing protectively in front of Jeannette. “Grandma, this isn’t Miss Jean’s fault.”
Healy’s unwavering support for Jeannette sent a pang through Blanche. Unlike Lara, who was quick to abandon her own mother, Healy stood his ground. For the first time, Blanche wondered if she’d failed as a parent-how had she raised a child capable of such heartlessness?
What kind of ungrateful brat had she raised?
“It is her fault! If you don’t listen to your mother, I’ll have all your toys thrown out.” Loraine pulled Healy to her side, anxious he might say something further out of line.
At the mention of his beloved toys, Healy’s face crumpled, and he fell silent, sniffling quietly.
Chapter 73
“Now get out! If I catch you anywhere near my grandchildren again, you’ll regret it.” Loraine shot Jeannette a withering glare, and Jeannette, thoroughly defeated, slunk away like a scolded dog.
With the drama over, everyone returned their attention to the real issue.
“I give you my word as a Simmons,” Loraine declared. “Lara will mend her ways. I ask the principal and all the parents here to give her another chance.”
In high society, connections were built from the sandbox up. If Lara were expelled from this elite preschool, even if the Simmons family officially took her in later, she’d never truly fit in with the upper crust.
Loraine simply couldn’t let that happen.
With Loraine herself pleading on Lara’s behalf, no one wanted to offend
her.
But then all eyes turned to Blanche. After all, she was the reason this had all started—and she still refused to acknowledge Lara as a Simmons.
Everyone knew how much Mr. Simmons valued Blanche. Even with Loraine’s assurance, nobody dared to take sides lightly.
Loraine looked to Blanche, “Laney, from now on, I’ll personally see to the child’s upbringing until you’re satisfied with her.”
Blanche had always respected her mother-in-law, and Loraine was
confident she’d listen.
She’d never even raised Healy herself, and now she was expected to personally mold the daughter of her husband’s mistress.
Blanche’s expression didn’t soften in the slightest. “Then I suggest you wait until she’s properly raised before bringing her back to school.”
She checked her Patek Philippe, making it clear she had better things to do; the press conference was about to start, and she wasn’t wasting another moment here.
For the first time, a crack appeared in Loraine’s perfectly composed façade. She hadn’t expected Blanche to embarrass her so thoroughly.
“That’s settled then, Principal,” Blanche said without hesitation.
The other parents murmured in agreement, some covering their mouths to hide their smirks, their mockery stoking Loraine’s rage.
Blanche gave a few quick instructions to Hedwig, then strode out of the preschool, plainly ignoring Loraine altogether.
For the first time, disappointment flickered across Loraine’s face. But she needed Blanche’s consent to officially take Lara in, so she had no choice but to swallow her frustration.
“Lara, Grandma will send you to a school even better than the one your brother and sister attend,” Loraine tried to comfort her. “Grandma will buy
you as many jewels as you want.”
But all Lara could think about was how Blanche had humiliated her again and again.
Lara stooped to pick up a pebble from the ground and hurled it at the back of Blanche’s head, shouting, “Wicked woman!”
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