Rylie didn’t need words to see through her. She held Zaylee’s gaze and smiled faintly. “Yes. It’s so inconvenient that you’d rather erase her.”

Zaylee bit her lower lip and stamped her foot. “Forget it! I’m done with this. Just drop everything. Don’t drag Brad into it. He’s got real work to do.”

Rylie answered plainly, “Fine.”

“Then face the class. Tell them you made a mistake. Say Melany didn’t steal anything. If you do that, we’re done here.”

Tears welled up in Zaylee’s eyes. “Rylie, this is too much!”

The door to the office swung open, and a man’s voice rang out with calm authority. “I was told this couldn’t wait. What’s going on?”

Zaylee spun toward the sound, her eyes widening when she saw who it was. A tall man in uniform stepped in from the hall, framed by the afternoon light. She gasped, “Brad!”

Gorman, still seated, jolted upright in surprise. He hadn’t expected someone like Brad to show up. The thought that Rylie could have the power to call him seemed far-fetched until now. He quickly rose, gave a slight bow, and extended his hand. “Mr. Morgan, thank you for coming. You’re listed as Zaylee’s guardian in the school files, so we had no other choice but to call for you.”

Brad shook his hand with a firm grip. His eyes swept the room and landed on Rylie, who stood beside Melany like a shield. Then, in a calm and even tone, he asked, “What kind of situation at school would require me to step in?”

Zaylee hurried forward, her tone softening with every word. “Please don’t be upset, Brad. I didn’t ask Rylie to involve you. I never meant for this to happen.”

Brad glanced down at her, his brows slightly furrowed. “Why is my name listed as your legal guardian?”

Zaylee froze under his stare, then muttered, “Well… because I’ve always seen you as my brother, and—”

“You don’t have a mother?” His question cut through the room, echoing the very same one Rylie had once asked.

Brad had already guessed the truth. Her desperate need for status was painfully obvious. He could see the path she’d taken, even if she wouldn’t admit it.

Rylie stood silently, saying nothing. Seeing where things were headed, Gorman stepped in to clarify, “Zaylee told us her mother’s line of work was… unusual.” From Brad’s expression, it was clear he didn’t believe Zaylee’s mother held any kind of prestigious post. He looked at Zaylee, and for a moment, doubt flickered across Gorman’s face too.

The room fell into silence. Zaylee fiddled nervously with the hem of her skirt. Her cheeks flushed as she tried to avoid shrinking under Brad’s steady gaze. “My mother, she…” Her voice cracked and trailed off into a whisper.

Brad didn’t give her time to cover for herself. He turned toward Gorman. “Would you mind pulling up her enrollment file?”

Gorman hesitated. “Well…”

Brad didn’t raise his voice, but his words landed with undeniable weight. “As her guardian, I have full rights to see it.”

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