Chapter 46

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Caitlin had lost all trust in these people. After all, Howard had attended this school for some time, and it was clear they had already formed fired attitudes and ways of treating him.
Sometimes, emotional neglect was far more destructive than physical punishment. It could shatter the pure , fragile heart of a child.
Before long, Quincy and Rowan returned, bringing Bruce and three other children with them.
Caitlin smiled at the children, taking a few adorable plush toys out of her bag. “Are you all Howard’s classmates? I have three little gifts here. I’ll give them to whoever tells the truth. Can you tell me why Howard was sitting on the little toilet in the corner today?”
The three children were instantly excited, eager to raise their hands and answer.
One little girl spoke first. “It’s because the teacher wouldn’t let him join the class.”
Hearing this, Valeria broke out in a cold sweat, wishing she could stop the children from speaking.
“Why not?” Caitlin continued.
“Valeria told Howard to take a nap, but he didn’t listen, so she got mad and made him sit on the toilet,” another boy answered.
The last little girl quickly added, “Valeria also said Howard is a mute who can’t sing , so he wasn’t allowed to sing with us.”
Hearing these answers was like a knife stabbing Caitlin’s heart. The pain was unbearable.
Her son’s suffering wasn’t just from his classmates–it came from the teacher too. How horrifying and hateful was this?
Parents entrust their children to schools and teachers, hoping they will educate and care for them, not subject them to this kind of emotional abuse.
How could they?
“You three are very honest. These gifts are for you. Go back to class now!” Caitlin handed out the toys and watched the children leave. Then she turned to Bruce.
“Howard, tell me, are the things your classmates said true?” Caitlin asked gently.
Bruce nodded.
“You all heard that, didn’t you? Children are the most truthful. I believe what they said!” Caitlin’s expression turned icy as she looked at Valeria.
“Has Valeria been married? ” she asked Rowan.
“Yes.”
“Does she have children?”
“She does…”
Valeria’s head dropped further in shame, unable to meet Caitlin’s eyes.
“If you have children, don’t you understand how much a child means to their family and parents ?
“How would you feel if your child was isolated and made to sit on a toilet for nearly an hour at school?
“Do you also think our Howard is mute and mentally deficient? Is that it?” Caitlin’s voice trembled with fury, her eyes welling up with tears.
“I… I’m sorry…” Valeria stammered, bowing her head in shame.
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“ I don’t need your apology ! ” Callin shouted before raising her hand and slapping Valeria hard across the face–once, twice three, four times.
“You think 1 like hitting people ? Now you know how it feels! This is the consequence of abusing Howard!” Caitlin glared at her.
Valeria’s cheeks swelled red and bruised, tears streaming down her face as she cried. She dared not fight back.
“Why are you crying? As a teacher, you should set an example. Instead, you led the way in isolating and discriminating against a student, is this your idea of professional ethics? With a character like yours, do you think you deserve to be in education?” Caitlin’s heart ached for her son.
Howard had already suffered from selective mutism, making him one of the loneliest children in the world. He needed care and understanding, not this veiled cruelty.
Could a child thrive in such an environment?
Valeria cried even harder, unable to refute Caitlin’s words. She was terrified of what Mrs. Vanderbilt might do to her.
Rowan stepped forward quickly. “Mrs. Vanderbilt, I’m deeply sorry. This was a failure on our part as a school. I will ensure Valeria corrects her behavior. immediately. This will never happen again!”
“Yes, it is indeed a failure of your school,” Caitlin retorted. “Your teaching staff’s professionalism needs to be reassessed. All teachers must undergo comprehensive evaluations!
“As for Valeria and the two other teachers in Howard’s class , they are to be fired immediately. I will report them to the education authorities and have
their teaching licenses revoked.
“Learn to care for children before you even think about teaching them again.”
Hearing this, Valeria collapsed at Caitlin’s feet, begging, “Mrs. Vanderbilt, I was wrong. I truly understand now. Please give me one more chance. I promise I will never isolate or criticize Howard again. I’ll treat him kindly!”
“It’s too late now! Do you think you can undo the harm you’ve caused our Howard?” Caitlin kicked her aside without mercy. She turned to Rowan and said coldly, “Rowan, as of today, Howard is officially withdrawn from your school. A school like this doesn’t deserve the title of ‘elite‘–and it certainly
doesn’t deserve to teach my son!”
She grabbed Bruce’s hand and walked towards the exit.
Rowan panicked, rushing after her. “Mrs. Vanderbilt, I am so sorry! Please reconsider. We’ll make all the necessary changes–just give us another
chance!”
Quincy stepped in to block Rowan. “Enough, Rowan. Just process Howard’s withdrawal papers now.”
Rowan froze as if struck by lightning. He knew it would be nearly impossible to regain Mrs. Vanderbilt’s trust.
Caitlin led Bruce out of the school and asked, “Bruce, how does it feel to be in kindergarten?”
“Extremely boring,” Bruce replied matter–of–factly.
Bruce and his brother Arthur had never attended kindergarten before. Their mother had hired private tutors to teach them skills far beyond what any kindergarten could offer.
“I think withdrawing Howard from this place was the right decision!” Caitlin said decisively. From now on, Howard would join his brothers for lessons at home.
She knew her sons were all prodigies, far more mature than other children their age. They didn’t want to be subjected to rote–learning methods , so she had to hire the best private teachers for them,
“ Caitlin! Over here!”
Caitlin turned to see Xavi pulling up in a car. She hadn’t expected him to come.
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She glanced at Bruce, who immediately understood. It was time for him to play the silent child again.
“Xavi, what brings you here?” Caitlin greeted him.
“I’m here to take you back. The Vanderbilt family is waiting for you and was worried something might happen.”
Xavi didn’t mention that it was Mr. Vanderbilt who had sent him, suspecting that Caitlin might be meeting some “young, fresh–faced man . ” He’d guessed correctly that she would be here to pick up young master Howard.
“Alright, let’s go,” Caitlin said, getting into the car with Bruce. Once inside, she quickly messaged Quincy, reminding him to take good care of Howard and
Arthur.
Bruce, meanwhile, was filled with curiosity. He was finally going to his father’s home. What would it be like? Would the Vanderbilt family see through his disguise as Howard?