Chapter 46
“Kyle’s got her back. What’s she worried about?” one student whispered.
“Well, if Lenore’s really Kyle’s aunt, I’ll eat my math book!” another scoffed, clearly not buying the relationship.
“Still, I gotta say Lenore’s badass,” a third voice chimed in.
The crowd’s discussion continued in hushed voices, each comment following the last as they glanced nervously over their shoulders, afraid Lenore might hear and come for them.
When Lenore strolled in with her hands in her pockets, the once noisy class fell into a sudden, deafening silence. All eyes were on her, and the quiet was so deep that they could hear each other breathe.
Lenore, seemingly oblivious, made her way to her seat, sat down, and crossed her legs with the casual confidence of someone who knew she commanded attention. The way she had laid into someone yesterday was swift, brutal, and more than a little intimidating.
Lance was curious, but even he held his breath, not daring to make a sound.
“Auntie…” Kyle hesitated and then leaned in, speaking in a hushed tone. “You took down Carlos and his crew at the school gate yesterday. Someone recorded it, and it’s gone viral at Greenvine High School.”
Lenore pulled out a math test from her desk, spread it on the table, and began filling in answers with a ballpoint pen, not even glancing up. “Oh.”
Kyle thought to himself, “What does her reaction mean?‘
“Auntie…” Kyle couldn’t shake the feeling that he should do more. “Should we tell my dad?” He figured if his father stepped in, even if Carlos was half–dead, the Duncan family wouldn’t dare complain.
“No need,” Lenore replied. Her pen was moving quickly as she solved math problems at a rate of one every two seconds, and her expression was neutral as if she hadn’t been the one who had beaten Carlos.
Her nonchalance left Kyle at a loss for words. After a moment of indecision, he stealthily pulled out his phone and sent a message.
In the principal’s office, Zell watched the video of Lenore. Her strikes were precise and ruthless and her move was fierce and impressive. He was silent for a long while.
Lucille’s disgust was written all over her face. She spoke up, her voice dripping with anger. “I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again.”
She continued, “Lenore’s bad news. Greenvine High School can’t just look the other way when she’s picking fights right at our doorstep, especially with the Duncan family’s heir. What are we waiting for? For her to single–handedly take down Greenvine High School?”
Zell glanced up at her, his gaze cool. “If one student could destroy Greenvine High School, then we might as well close our doors.”
“Mr. Swanson, you…” Lucille began to say.
But Jonas cut Lucille off, standing firm with a resolute look in his eyes. “I’ve seen the video clearly. It’s true that Lenore shouldn’t have fought, but it was clearly self–defense. If self–defense is wrong, does that mean everyone should just take bullying lying down?”
“Can it be the same?” Lucille’s voice turned shrill. “She hit the Duncan family’s heir.”
Jonas let out a cold laugh. “So what if she did? Are the Duncan family’s heirs above the law? Do they get to bully others without retaliation?” He was convinced Lenore was in the right.
“You…” Lucille was about to retort when Zell bellowed, “Silence!”
Zell looked at Lucille with a cold stare. “Is Lenore a student in your class?”
Lucille instinctively replied, “No.”
Zell continued, “Then it’s class time. What are you doing here?”
L’Caught off guard by Zell’s questioning, Lucille raised her voice. “I’m here for the sake of Greenvine High School!*
“Acting on behalf of Greenvine High School? Do you think I’m just a figurehead?” Zell’s tone was sharp.
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Chapter 46
“I…” Lucille was at a loss for words. She felt Zell was clearly favoring Lenore.
Gritting her teeth, Lucille snorted, “Lenore is a disaster waiting to happen. She’ll bring down Greenvine High School, and don’t say I didn’t warn you!”
Zell scoffed at Lucille’s retreating back as she stormed out of the office. He thought to himself, ‘Regret? The Duncan family is nothing. It’s not the Duncan family that Greenvine High School can’t afford to offend. It’s Lenore!
‘And if Lenore does manage to take Greenvine High School down it’ll be the school had it coming for some major mess–up!‘
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