Chapter 127
Anthony’s expression changed so fast that Steven froze, instantly regretting whatever he’d just said. He kept his mouth shut and wondered if he’d put his foot in
it.
“Anthony, Steven isn’t wrong,” Henry Dean added, trying to back him up. “I really don’t think Andrew and Parrish meant any harm. We all think this is the best way to handle things.”
Ronald jumped in right away. “Anthony, the dean is already on his way. If you’re okay with it, the school can expel Charlotte immediately. She can leave whenever you say the word.”
Just like that, the three of them had basically handed Charlotte a death sentence.
Anthony’s eyes were cold and impossible to read as he sat up straight, his fingers quietly tapping the armrest. His voice was icy. “Since when do you all get to make decisions for me?”
Everyone in the room was at a loss. From their point of view, sacrificing Charlotte would protect Andrew and Parrish and keep things respectable for all the families involved. On paper, it was the perfect solution. But Anthony clearly wasn’t on board.
“Mr. Blair, since all the students were involved, maybe we should let each of them explain what happened?” Eleanor suggested quietly, seizing a pause in the tension. Even then, Anthony’s presence was so intimidating that she could barely get the words out.
“Ms. Adams,” Ronald said, his face clouding over. He looked like he wanted to throw her out then and there. Why did she keep defending Charlotte? Was she out of her mind?
“Anthony, your time is valuable. There’s really no need to-”
Anthony’s voice cut him off, low and sharp. “Continue.”
He shot Ronald a cold look. Ronald, for all his bravado, instantly backed down. Even if he had more courage, there was no way he’d go against Anthony now.
Eleanor looked around the room. “Who wants to go first?”
Andrew and Parrish both glanced at Charlotte. She stood there with her hands behind her back, gently scuffing her shoe against the floor like none of this had anything to do with her.
“Ma’am, this is what happened Dennis got in before Charlotte could even open her mouth, assuming she’d start arguing. His face was badly bruised, and every word seemed to hurt.
First, he insisted he hadn’t touched Charlotte at all—she was the one who hit him twice. Second, Andrew and Parrish had ganged up on h him, leaving bruises on his leg, stomach, and face. Third, he claimed Charlotte was a bad influence and had talked Andrew and Parrish into attacking him.
Henry Dean felt a mix of anger and worry listening to his son. Dennis was smart and had a shot at a top college. What if a head injury ruined that? There was no way he’d let Charlotte off the hook.
Eleanor turned to the others. “Does everyone else agree with Dennis?”
By Dennis’s account, Charlotte was the main troublemaker.
“No way!” Andrew and Parrish said at the same time, both glaring at Charlotte.
“Charlotte, what about you?” Eleanor asked.
Charlotte just shrugged, a tiny smile playing on her lips. Her voice was calm and almost bored. “I agree with him.”
Andrew, Parrish, and Shirley all stared at her in disbelief. Was she crazy or just scared of Anthony? How could she admit it was her fault?
Ronald lit up with
excitement.
“Charlotte admitted it herself. That’s
the truth, then.” He whipped out his phone to check on Mr. Baker’s
arriva He’d never seen anyone walk themselves into a trap so
completely. Once Me walk
showed
Baker up, Charlotte would be out of the school for good.