Chapter 347
Chapter 347:
Maia patted his hand softly, a silent promise of protection, before calmly swiveling her chair to face the doorway. Her hands rested lightly on her knees, her cool gaze sweeping toward the entrance.
Hurst, catching a glimpse of her silhouette, felt a jolt of recognition. But when Maia turned fully to face him, his mind blanked.
For a split second, his face locked in a rigid expression, and the frigid air around him seemed to melt. Under his breath, he muttered in disbelief, “Ms. Watson p>
Melanie, oblivious to the change in her father’s demeanor, stormed forward, jabbing a finger at Maia as she shouted, “Dad, it’s her! Her brother, Ethan, bullied me! They’re nobodies from the slums! I have no idea what strings they pulled to p>
“Sneak Ethan into our class! You have to help me show them they don’t belong here p>
The room erupted in outrage the moment her words landed. They had initially assumed that Ethan was from an ordinary family, but they never expected him to be actually a lowly person from the slums. That was an offense they couldn’t accept.
“A slum kid in the special class? Is this a joke p>
“Mr. Cooper, we can’t let our kids share the same class with such a guy p>
“And she wants us to apologize? She should realize both her brother and she don’t even deserve to be here p>
“We need to bring this straight to the principal! If that young man isn’t expelled, we’re not letting this go p>
Loraine, the homeroom teacher, felt just as blindsided. She had spotted Ethan stepping out of a Maserati that morning and naturally assumed that he came from money — but slums?
Looking at Maia, she immediately assumed that the woman must have latched onto some rich man as a mistress to afford such luxury. Clearly, she had manipulated her way in, fooling even the principal into accepting Ethan into the special class.
If the principal discovered the truth, Ethan would definitely be removed from Class One — and possibly expelled. The thought twisted Loraine’s face into a sneer as she stared down her nose at Maia and Ethan.
Her students were supposed to be the elite — the pride of the city! To be forced to teach someone from the slums was a slap to her own reputation.
But with Hurst now on the scene, she was sure Maia’s bravado would collapse. Trouble? Not a chance.
Yet, just as the crowd sharpened their tongues against Maia and Ethan, Hurst roared, “Shut up, all of you!” The outcry died at once.
All eyes turned toward Hurst, stunned.
Without a glance at the others, he strode to Maia, bowed slightly in respect, and offered her a warm smile. His voice was polite, even deferential, as he said, “Miss Watson, I didn’t realize your brother and my daughter were classmates. Perhaps there’s been some misunderstanding? Could you explain what happened p>
A wave of confusion swept through the room, leaving everyone in a daze. What was happening? Hurst was being respectful toward Maia?
Outside the window, Marisa snapped her lollipop in half with a sharp crunch and let out a low, amused sigh. “Now, that’s a plot twist.” She tilted her head, studying Maia carefully, her curiosity deepening. This wasn’t an ordinary woman. Very few people could make Hurst lower his head.
Melanie stood frozen, as if drenched in ice water, the chill jolting her out of her arrogance. She tugged at Hurst’s sleeve, her face full of disbelief. “Dad, what are you doing p>
Hurst answered with a single icy glare that instantly silenced her. Melanie shrank back, clenching her fists so tightly that her nails dug into her palms.
Meanwhile, Maia offered Hurst a faint, almost mocking smile, her eyes sparkling with quiet amusement. “Mr. Cooper, take a look at this. You’ll understand everything p>