Chapter 222


    Mr. Hammond’s gaze flickered with a hint of something different upon hearing Summer’s exnation.


    His mouth curled into a half–smile before he turned and walked to the window, standing with his hands


    sped behind his back.


    “I’m rather curious to know what your father would have to say about all this,” he remarked with a


    detached tone.


    Summer watched Mr. Hammond’s silhouette against the window, with a flicker of unease stirring in her


    heart. Yet, recalling her father’s reassuring text message, she allowed herself to


    rx.


    Morgan considered for a moment before suggesting. “Should we invite Miss Mirabe to join us? To


    rity things face–to–face?”


    To have her witness how her foster family ndered her?


    Mr. Hammond didn’t turn around. His gaze was fixed outside, and his voice was resolute. “No need.”


    Relief loosened Summer’s tense grip upon hearing his words.


    It wasn’t long before Colton arrived at the school, stepping into the office with a genial smile on his


    broad, square–jawed face. “Apologies for the dy. Got caught in a bit of a traffic snarl.”


    Summer opened her mouth to speak, but Colton shot her a nce, signaling her to bide her time. He


    was no stranger to Mr. Hammond, so he addressed him directly. His voice wasden with regret. “Mr.


    Hammond, I’m truly sorry for themotion caused by my foster daughter at the school. The truth of


    the matter is…”


    Colton’s version echoed Summer’s, but his words carried an air of authenticity, especially when he


    touched upon Mirabe’s academic performance, emphasizing her struggles. “To be frank, my foster


    daughter’s grades were at the bottom of the barrel back in our hometown. But now, she insists on


    joining this nationalpetition. I as a father made the grave mistake of helping her cheat,” Colton


    said, shaking his head in feigned remorse.


    Mr. Hammond studied Colton, with a barely perceptible sneer ying at the corners of his mouth. Just


    as Colton was gearing up to add more, Mr. Hammond interjected. “Are you suggesting Miss Mirabe


    is a poor student?”


    Caught off guard, Colton nodded, “Indeed, I won’t lie – she barely got epted into the county high


    school after a lot of… effort on our part.”


    The implication of “effort” was clear to any discerning ear it hinted at mary influence.


    Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.


    Morgan, initially hoping to validate his fair treatment of students through Colton’s words, found. himself


    frowning deeper with each passing moment. Cheating in apetition was one thing. but bragging


    about bribing one’s way into high school was quite another.


    Summer, observing the peculiar expressions on both Mr. Hammond and Morgan’s faces,


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    Chapter 222


    immediately realized her father had misspoken. She hadn’t mentioned to him Mirabe’s repeated


    academic triumphs.


    About to speak up, Summer was cut off by Mr. Hammond’s voice, “How fortunate then, for I too put


    considerable effort into recruiting Miss Mirabe into Parkside High School.”


    Colton’s face was a picture of bewilderment. “But, but how can that be? You’re not joking. Mr.


    Hammond? My foster daughter’s grades…”


    Parkside High School was no ordinary institution – a prestigious school ranked within the top five


    nationally, with an admission of only the elite among elites. Now Mr. Hammond was iming he


    personally went to great lengths to enroll his foster daughter there? The notion seemed fantastical


    utterly nonsensical to Colton, and he felt his world spin. He might not have paid much attention to her


    academics, but he knew the extent of her capabilities.


    Mr. Hammond’sughter held a tinge of derision. His authoritative demeanor was now tinged with


    sarcasm. “Are you implying, Mr. Colton, that I, the principal of Parkside High School,ck the basic


    ability to judge talent?”