Chapter 221


    Mr. Hammond’s face was impassive. His features were set in an expression that conveyed no


    sympathy for Madeline’s pleas. “Everyone has to pay for their mistakes,” he intoned. His voice was


    devoid of warmth. “You should have thought about the consequences when you decided to act.”


    Madeline’s face was ashen, and she dissolved into tears once more..


    Anthony, standing to the side, could only shake his head in a mix of frustration and resignation.


    “Hindsight is 20/20, as they say. You’d best head back to ss. As for your punishment, we’ll discuss it


    thoroughly before making a decision.”


    Before long. Madeline shuffled out of the office. Her figure was a portrait of dejection.


    Watching her retreating back, Anthony sighed, “If only she’d put as much effort into her studies as she


    did into causing trouble and smearing her ssmate.”


    Mr. Hammond remained sileht. His demeanor was unreadable.


    It wasn’t long before Summer arrived at the office.


    On her way there, her mind had raced through various excuses, and despite her inner turmoil, it was


    the message from Colton that finally steadied her nerves. So when she stepped into the office, her face


    wasposed, and she nodded politely at Mr. Hammond and the other teachers, as if she wasn’t at


    the heart of the storm.


    Mr. Hammond caught one glimpse of Summer and immediately noticed the depth of herposure; in


    such a situation, her calm was indeed remarkable.


    “Why did you incite Madeline to target Mirabe online?” This time, it was Mr. Hammond who broke the


    silence, not Morgan.


    Summer faced Mr. Hammond. His authoritative presencemanded her respect. She clenched her


    hands at her sides before responding coolly, “I must admit, I’m at fault here. Mirabe is a foster child


    of the Gilbert family. She asked my dad to pull some strings at the education association to get her


    hands on some review material, which he then sent to her.”


    “I simply didn’t agree with this unfair advantage over other students and mentioned it to Madeline in


    passing. I had no idea she would take it upon herself to defend my honor and post it on the forum.” A


    wistful smile touched Summer’s lips as she bowed deeply to Mr. Hammond and the other teachers. “I’m


    sorry. Please be lenient with Madeline. This whole issue started because of me, and I’m willing to take


    full responsibility for my indiscretion.”


    Her apology seemed incredibly sincere.


    Those who made it into the Prodigy ss were undeniably brilliant, and Summer’s rapid academic


    improvement over the past six months had not gone unnoticed by Morgan. Seeing her take


    responsibility touched him somewhat. Thus, Morgan looked to Mr. Hammond, and despite the blow to


    his own pride, he spoke up for Summer.


    Chapter 221


    “Though Summer may have erred, the me cannot wholly rest on her shoulders. She did mention that


    Mirabe was once a foster child of the Gilberts. Although thepetition material was voluntarily


    turned in by Mirabe, that doesn’t prove anything. Moreover…”


    Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!


    Morgan paused, turning back to Summer. “You said it was Mirabe who asked your father to obtain


    thepetition material, correct?”


    Summer met his gaze steadily, without hesitation, and nodded. “To rify everything, I called my father.


    He should be arriving at the school soon. He can exin everything.”


    Morgan had been left in an embarrassing position the previous day because of thepetition material


    Mr. Hammond had presented. Now, hearing Summer’s words, a flicker of hope sparked within him.


    That burning desire to know that he hadn’t wrongfully used a student surged within him.