Chapter 730
Mina nodded, her tone dripping with sarcasm. “Ms. Gonzales is a quick study. It’s good you’re catching on to how things work around here p>
Caitlin simply nodded back, not a trace of fear in her eyes. “Interesting. In that case, Miss Mina, you’d best prepare yourself. If things go as planned, at the next conference, you’ll be the one without a seat p>
Mina let out a sharp, theatrical laugh. The idea was clearly preposterous to her. The rest of the hall followed suit, their laughter openly mocking.
Mina looked down at Caitlin. “Ms. Gonzales, a smart person would learn some humility right about now. But since you’re so young, I’ll give you one chance. Apologize to me, and I’ll have them bring your chair back p>
“No, thank you,” Caitlin replied, walking to the empty space where her chair had been. “What’s the harm in standing once p>
“Fine, fine! Such principles, Ms. Gonzales!” Mina’s voice was laced with derision. “Since you’ve chosen to stand today, you should probably get used to it for every conference to come.” She let out another laugh. “Oh, but I almost forgot. Who knows if you’ll even be able to attend the next one p>
The hall erupted in another round of jeering laughter.
Anyone else would have crumbled under such humiliation, but Caitlin didn’t even slump. She stood tall, her back straight, and participated in the entire conference with unwavering focus.
Before the conference had even concluded, word of Caitlin standing through the meeting reached Stuart Gonzales. Heartbroken, he rushed to the venue and waited for her at the entrance.
As soon as Caitlin emerged, Stuart rushed to her side, his eyes red-rimmed: “Freya, you didn’t have to endure that.” His voice was thick with emotion. “My daughter should be celebrated, not forced to stand and be humiliated.” He was choked with pain at the thought of her standing for over an hour. “You have too much integrity, my dear. When Mina decided to insult you like that, why didn’t you just walk out p>
“It’s alright,” Caitlin said, shaking her head with a small smile. “Dad, the strong prey on the weak. That’s just the law of the jungle p>
Her voice was quiet but carried the weight of steel. Stuart looked at his daughter, a profound and lasting shock filling his eyes.
Five days passed in a blur. Leo had come home every night, watching with grim satisfaction as Ivy King’s eyes seemed to worsen day by day.
At seven-thirty that morning, the first thing Ivy did upon waking was rush to the mirror. Just as Caitlin had predicted, the swelling was gone and a thick scab had formed over the scar tissue. With a racing heart, Ivy carefully peeled it away.
In an instant, the new skin was exposed. The angry, raised scar was
gone. Vanished was as if she’d
never had the surgery at all, leaving her with eyelids that looked
completely natural.
Ivy gasped. “Oh my god! Oh my god!” She had never dreamed that she could
have such flawless eyelids. Caitlin wasn’t just good; she was a genius.
Leo shot awake. “Ivy? What is it? Is something wrong with your eyes p>