With just one sentence, Layna might as well have handed Mr. Simmons a death sentence.


    Mr. Simmons, breathless from chasing after her, caught the usation and snapped, “Layna, what are you talking about? When did I ever take your clothes off?"


    That was the moment it finally clicked for Mr. Simmons—why Layna had ended up at this so-called "reform" school.


    Layna wasn''t like the other wild kids. She was more like a hidden snake-quiet, patient, and lethal when you least expected it.


    Most troubled kids rebelled for attention, to make their parents notice, or just to stand out. But Layna''s darkness ran deep; she could ruin someone''s life without leaving a visible bruise.


    Now Layna was sobbing, her bare arms covered in fresh bruises for everyone to see. Even Emmie, who was usually unfazed by drama, looked shaken.


    Scott pushed through the crowd, his face darkening as he took in Layna''s story and the marks on her. "Mr. Simmons, you''re a teacher! How could you do something so disgusting?"


    Mr. Simmons was frantic, stumbling over his words. "I didn''t! Duncan, listen, this is what happened: Layna came to my office, she started undressing herself and threw herself at me! I pushed her off and she ran out!"


    He turned to Layna, desperation twisting his voice. "Layna, tell them the truth! Please! I didn''t do anything!"


    His panic only made him look guiltier. The hallway was crowded with students and teachers, everyone staring and murmuring. Mr. Simmons could feel their judgment like a chill on his skin.


    Layna just cried harder, pointing her finger at him. "It was Mr. Simmons! He called me to his office and told me to take my clothes off. When I refused, he hit me. Aunt Julie, I was so scared!"


    "Layna, you can''t lie like this! You''ll ruin his life!" Mr. Simmons was practically pleading, but the more upset he got, the more he seemed like the viin.


    Juliana pulled Layna close, her re icy. "You monster. How could you do this to a child? I''m taking her home right now, and I''m calling mywyer. I''ll sue you, sue the whole school! You''re wolves in sheep''s clothing, preying on students!"


    Mr. Simmons looked close to tears. "I didn''t do it! Your kid is lying-"


    "Layna''s not lying," Carli piped up, stepping forward. "Mr. Simmons called her to his office. I went with her. I heard Layna screaming for help. I saw him undressing her."


    That was it. Carli''s words mmed the door shut on any defense Mr. Simmons might have had.


    There was noing back from this no way to clear his name.


    The students, already suspicious and rebellious, erupted into chaos. They started shouting about how strict and unfair Mr. Simmons had alwaysbeen. Some even made up stories, painting him as the school''s biggest creep.


    No parent was willing to let this slide. After what they''d heard, who would trust the school again?


    By the next day, the story was everywhere on the news, all over social media. Mr. Simmons became a public enemy. Angry people showed up at the school, throwing eggs and trash, demanding answers with the parents.


    Reporters camped outside the


    gates. The police came. Mr.


    Simmons was taken in for


    questioning. There were no security cameras in his office, and while Layna''s clothes had been removed, there wasn''t any physical evidence of abuse. No one could prove much of anything.


    But none of that mattered. People had made up their minds.


    Everywhere Mr. Simmons went, he felt the stares and heard the whispers. Someone spray-painted his house. At school, parents blocked his way and yelled at him.


    He was branded a predator, treated like he was contagious.


    The school fired him and demandedpensation for their "damaged reputation." The financial loss was huge.


    Every day was a new kind of hell for Mr. Simmons.


    Meanwhile, Layna was back home with the Stranz family, living like a queen— eating imported fruit, sleeping in a bed softer than a cloud, watching the inte tear Mr. Simmons apart.


    Everyone saw Layna as a victim. Scott felt so guilty he bent over backward to make it up to her. Juliana doted on her even more.


    Layna''s so-called ordeal was why the Stranz family brought her back, and after this, the Salstroms had no more reason to drag up the disaster at that birthday party. Layna''s return seemed perfectly natural now.


    Scott even called Herman himself to exin, just to make sure everything was


    smoothed over.