Chapter 130

When Charlotte spoke up, Anthony sat there looking every bit the dignified authority. But at her words, the faintest smile tugged at his lips. There was a warmth in his dark eyes that softened his whole face, turning that usual coolness into something magnetic and almost irresistible.
“So, little one, how do you want to prove it? The school will work with you,” he said.
His voice was gentle, his expression indulgent, nothing like the cold and intimidating man he’d been just moments before. It was like he’d become a completely different person.
Ronald couldn’t help but sneer to himself. Being beautiful really did have its perks. Charlotte would probably coast by on her looks for as long as she could.
Steven glanced nervously at Anthony, that stern profile making him uneasy. A disturbing thought crept into his mind. Sure, Charlotte was useless, but her looks were stunning, even more so than Olivia’s. If Anthony really took a liking to her, it could give the Main family a real advantage.
But then he shook off the idea. Anthony was on another level. Why would he ever go for someone who was all looks and no substance?
Charlotte met Anthony’s gaze for a brief moment, her eyes perfectly calm. She blinked, then looked away, her voice low and firm. “Pull up the footage from the study hall.”
She didn’t ask. She ordered.
Right then, Mr. Baker burst into the room, sweating and clutching his laptop.
“Sorry for the wait, everyone. The security system crashed for a bit, so it took some time to get it working again.” He glanced at Anthony, looking nervous. “Anthony, here’s the footage you asked for.”
People stared in disbelief. How had Anthony known Charlotte would ask for the security footage?
Anthony just nodded, his chin tilting slightly. “Show it to her.”
Little one. Did anyone else hear that? Every time Anthony spoke to Charlotte, his tone was so gentle it almost sounded unreal.
“Put it on the big screen,” Charlotte said, not even bothering to hide her impatience. She looked at Anthony her eyes a little tired, like she’d
already spent more than enough time on all of this She could have bought a couple of houses with the time she’d wasted on these idiots.
Mr. Baker hurried to project the video for everyone to see.
On the screen, Charlotte and Shirley were hunched over their books,
focused on studying. Then B
and his friends walked in,
immediately starting to taunt them. Dennis picked up a water bottle and threw it at Shirley, but Charlotte caught it before it hit her
Dennis kept provoking her, and Charlotte fired the bottle back at him—twice- knocking him down both times.
A little later, Andrew and Parrish showed up. The reason for the fight became clear. Dennis had started spreading rumors about Charlotte, insulting her character and making it sound like she was some kind of troublemaker.
Everything was right there, out in the open. No one could pretend not to see who was in the wrong.
Watching Anthony’s face grow darker with every second, especially after Dennis’s comment—”I’m just curious how far this country girl will go to get your attention❞— Henry Dean felt like he might pass out.
Dennis was frozen in shock. Olivia had promised him the footage was gone for
good. She’d said all he had to do was blame Charlotte and no one would back her
up.
“I was only joking with them, okay? I
didn’t mean it Dennis finally started to panic as the truth played our on the screen. He clenched his jaw, scrambling for an excuse. “Anyway, I’m the one who really got hurt. Expulsion is way too much. The Board of Education would never allow it.”
Just as Dennis finished, there was a sharp knock at the door.
“Mr. Baker, someone from the Board of Education is here!”
Mr. Baker’s heart dropped. How had this student drama blown up so quickly?