Chapter 124

“Nothing’s even been looked into yet. How can you just decide it’s all Charlotte’s fault?”
Eleanor stood her ground, eyes bright with unshed tears but her voice steady. “Charlotte, don’t be scared. Just tell us the truth about what happened. I’m here for you.”
Charlotte’s mom was gone. Her dad barely noticed her. As her homeroom teacher, Eleanor felt like she had to step up. If she didn’t, and Charlotte got expelled for something she didn’t do, her whole future would be ruined.
Hearing Eleanor’s words, Charlotte’s cool expression flickered with surprise. She glanced at Eleanor’s flushed face, and for a moment, some warmth crept into her eyes.
Eleanor really was different from the others.
“There’s nothing to investigate.” Steven cut in harshly. “We’ll take responsibility. Charlotte will drop out.”
He moved closer, glaring at Charlotte. “Apologize to Dennis. Then go to your classroom, pack your things, and leave. Right now.”
Charlotte let out a short, cold laugh. She lifted her lashes, her eyes full of sharp mockery as she stared at Steven. Her voice was icy, almost cruel.
“I was actually going to let him off. But now? Dennis is trash. Every time I see him, I’ll make sure he remembers it.”
“And you?” Charlotte’s delicate brow arched. She spoke slowly, each word ringing out clear. “Stay as far away from me as possible.”
Eleanor was used to model students, so Charlotte’s rebellious attitude left her stunned. But oddly enough, this time, Eleanor found herself rooting for her.
With a father like that, who couldn’t even tell right from wrong, maybe he did deserve to be kicked out of her life.
“Charlotte!”
Steven was fed up with being humiliated in front of everyone. His anger exploded, and he raised his hand to slap her.
“Steven!”
Eleanor was terrified. She tried to reach out to stop him, but she was too far away. There was no way she’d get there in time.
“Charlotte, watch out!”
“Charlotte
Andrew, Parrish, and Shirley shouted at once, all of them anxious.
Steven’s hand came down, fast and hard.
But right before it could land, a strong arm in a crisp black suit appeared out of nowhere and caught Steven’s wrist in midair.
Suddenly, the room was filled with a clean, smoky scent and an intense pressure that made it hard to breathe.
The instant Charlotte caught that familiar scent, her tense fingers relaxed at her side. A faint, almost hidden smile touched her lips.
“Anthony.”
It wasn’t until Andrew spoke up, his voice clear and respectful, that everyone shapped out of their g shock. In perfect unison, all eyes turned to the doorway.
Anthony stood there, dressed in a tailored suit that showed off his tall,
striking figure. His face looked likez something out of a dream-flawless, sharp as if he’d stepped out of a painting. He had the kind
presence that made you want to look away, but you just couldn’t.
Right now, though, his perfect features were stormy. His dark eyes narrowed with a dangerous edge.
He didn’t say a word. Just standing there, he made the whole room go cold.
Why was Anthony here?
Steven and Henry Dean both sucked in a breath, stunned. Anthony never showed up in magazines or did interviews much less appeared at a school…