Spoiled by Eight Uncles (Lily)

Ms. Watson got indignant but remained steadfast that the problem wasn't as big as it made itself out to be.

She was, after all, the best foreign language teacher in the school! Animaux Private Academy relied on her to beat their rival, the North City Public School.

Mr. Lane, the headmaster, was going to keep her around even if he agreed with Anthony. It was all just a show after all.

Mr. Lane, who had tried to blend into the background, finally had no choice but to step up. “Ms. Watson was also in the wrong for having punished a student without a proper reason. She'll be disciplined for it.” Ms. Watson could barely believe her ears. “I'm just doing my duty as a teacher! | dole out punishments because | have a responsibility to see them better.!” “Your students are punished without reason and treated differently based on your segregation of their grades,” Anthony started coldly.

“Posting students’ grades on the blackboard to blatantly discriminate and discourage students.” “Is that what you mean by taking responsibility?” “What students grow to be outstanding without a bit of a teacher's scolding? This is all for their sake! Frankly speaking, aren't you doing this to me because of Lilly? You're all terrible people!” Ms. Watson had grown greatly agitated.

“Oh, really?” Anthony smirked.

He already had Charlie look into the foreign language teacher.

Charlie began to read the details of the investigation out loud, “Ms. Watson tried to bribe the head of department with gifts two years ago and received disciplinary action.” “Since September of last year, Ms. Watson has taken advantage of her position to refer students to off-campus tutoring classes, from which she receives referral fees from.” Anthony kept his steely gaze on the teacher.

“It's fine even if Mr. Lane doesn’t take action against a teacher like you. I'll just have to take it up elsewhere.” “I'll also be reconsidering my investment in the school.” Why would he be so generous as to donate to the school? It was charity, yes, but realistically, he wanted the Crawford children to receive the best at school.

The headmaster fell silent. *..." What was he supposed to do? He was at a loss for words as he watched Anthony walk away.

Ms. Watson was indignant. “These people are going too far, Mr. Lane!” The headmaster immediately silenced her. “Shut up! Pack up your things and leave!” That stunned her. Was this for real? “You can't do this, Mr. Lane! We're preparing for the midterm exams right now...” Mr. Lane turned to leave.

Half an hour later, she was kicked out of school.

Every parent stared at her. She suddenly felt like a student that had been singled out...

Embarrassment, humiliation, unsettled...

“Corporal punishment... Hah, | can’t even bear to raise my voice at my daughter... And here she is...” “I never liked her... | was wondering what connections she had the entire time...” “Referring students to off-campus tutoring institutions and collecting referral fees... Tsk. What a great teacher.” Ms. Watson fled from the scene! She hadn't just been fired.

Her teaching qualifications had also been revoked.

How was she going to make a living now?! Anthony held Lilly firmly in his arms. His pace was neither quick nor slow.

Both Josh and Drake trailed behind him. The former was still carrying Lilly’s school bag with a long face.

Lilly hesitated to speak.

“Uncle...” “I wasn't in timeout for very long!” She had left with her brother to get food too! Anthony eased his tone. “It has nothing to do with you, Lilly.” He was trying to comfort the girl.

It was true that Ms. Watson deserved to be punished but how could it have nothing to do with Lilly? Charlie had inquired a few students on the ins and outs of Ms. Watson dolling out punishments to Lilly and also vilifying her in class.

She had even claimed that Lilly’s return caused Liam and Winona’s divorce.

It would be odd if Anthony let her off the hook so easily.

His eyes were glazed by cold steel. What happened has happened.

This was a warning to everyone that there was a price to pay for messing with the Crawford family’s youngest daughter.

So what if everyone thinks we're overbearing?! “Let's go. You can come shopping with me. Do you want anything, Lilly?” Lilly immediately put the matter behind her and nodded. “Yeah!” She wanted silver needles to treat Granny's legs.

She wanted to see her grandmother jumping! She suddenly asked, “We're not taking the school bus, Uncle Anthony?” The yellow school bus was going to leave soon.

Anthony looked at Ivan who was lined up to get on the school bus and said, “No. We're going to the mall.” “Yay!” Ivan was throwing glances at Lilly who was beaming like the sun.

When he broke out of his stupor, he found her waving at him which prompted him to wave back.

He then stumbled his way into the school bus.

Valentine Taylor, meanwhile, took the opportunity to bound over to the Crawfords. “Hello, Mr. Crawford and Ms. Lilly.” He then pushed Theo forward. “Say hello to them!” His son had no choice but to obey. “Hi, Mr. Crawford. Hi, Lilly!” Anthony turned his attention to Theo.

So, this is the boy Lilly was passing notes to? They say if a family had a son, they would be looking for a suitable girl to be their son’s bride.

It was the opposite for a family that had a daughter. They would keep an eye out for predators trying to whisk the girl away.

Anthony narrowed his eyes. “Can | help you?” Valentine cleared his throat. “Well, | had something | wanted to ask Ms. Lilly...” That had Anthony frowning. What could a grown man want from Lilly? “Yes?” Lilly asked inquisitively.

Valentine sighed. “I heard that you were the one who saved Theo the other day.” “The thing is my mother has been in a coma for a long while. She wouldn't wake up no matter what we tried. We'd like you to come to take a look, Ms. Lilly.” Valentine's facial features reminded Lilly of an old woman in green robes that she had dreamt of.

Pablo suddenly spoke up, “His mother? Could the old woman you dreamt of be her?” Lilly answered in a low whisper, “I think so too, Master. He looks so much like her! The resemblance is uncanny.” Pablo took another look at Valentine and decided that his disciple was right.

“Say yes. We'll go take a look tomorrow.” Lilly nodded. “Okay! I'll come by tomorrow.” Valentine didn’t seem to have expected her to outright agree and was overjoyed! Cheryl, meanwhile, was curled up in her mother’s arms and wailing.

“I didn’t do anything wrong, Mommy!” She cried. “Did Josh beat me up because Lilly doesn't like me? Did Lilly badmouth me to him?!” Tina sighed. “Just put up with it, Cheryl.” “I don't think a friendly relationship with the Crawfords is possible right now. The Shaws will have to be our best bet.” They were now switching their target to Ivan Shaw...

How was Cheryl going to be by Ivan’s side if everyone knew she had been beaten up for trying to confess her love to Josh? She sniffled.”l know, Mommy.” She was truly hurting. She felt as if she had been thrown onto the ground repeatedly. Every part of her ached.

She hated it all but she hated Lilly most.

It was obvious that she was the one who was being picked on but Lilly had everyone loving and caring for her. Cheryl had no choice but to put up with it.

Why?