Rachel''s eyes suddenly filled with tears, on the verge of spilling over.


    Marvin''s young and confused voice broke the tension. "Heydy, why do you cry so much? Every time I see you, you''re crying... Even when I got hurt fighting with Keen, I didn''t cry. And you''re a grown-up!"


    Rachel''s carefully constructed poise fractured. Her face froze, caught between tears andposure.


    The preschool teacher, who had been observing the drama unfold, quickly stepped in to ease the situation.


    "Uh... maybe we should focus on the issue with the kids first."


    Ste turned to the teacher, "Regarding Marvin''s behavior, we''re willing to apologize to Keen. Once Marvin''s dad gets back, he can apologize to Keen''s parents too."


    "We promise it won''t happen again. We''ll cover any medical bills andpensation."


    "Sorry for the trouble we''ve caused."


    Everyone knew that families who could afford this preschool weren''t short on money. The real issue was the attitudes of the kids and parents.


    Marvin had already apologized to Keen, and Ste''s approach seemed sincere. Logically, that should settle things.


    But there was one ringplication-Ms. Cameron wasn''t just Keen''s absent mother. She was also Marvin''s legal guardian.


    The teacher dabbed at her damp forehead with a trembling hand before casting an uneasy nce at Haynes. "Mr. O''Brien, Marvin has apologized, and his guardian has also expressed their stance. Do you have any other requests?"


    Keen looked up at Haynes with a pout, "I don''t ept it! He doesn''t just hit me once; he does it secretly when no one''s watching!"


    Haynes had heard simrints from Keen before about Marvin''s bullying.


    His icy gaze fell on Marvin, making the boy shrink back instinctively, hiding behind Ste.


    Ste shielded Marvin, blocking Haynes'' stare.


    Seeing this, Haynes'' expression grew even colder.


    "Ste, your own son is right here, and you''re protecting another child?"


    Ste nced at Haynes and Rachel, "He has plenty of people looking out for him. He doesn''t need me."


    She paused and looked down at Marvin. "But Marvin only has me."


    Marvin instinctively squeezed Ste''s hand, "Ste, you''re the best."


    He looked enviously at Keen. "I really wish I had a mom like Ste. If Ste were my mom, that''d be amazing..."


    Keen''s chest tightened as he watched Ste-how she always shut him out, but now stood guard over that kid like he actually mattered. Thest thread of his restraint snapped. "She''s a mean mom! Always picking on Rachel!"


    Marvin defended Ste, "Ste''s not mean. You guys are the ones bullying her." "I''ve seen it so many times! You always make her apologize to that meandy."


    "You even say she''s embarrassing and tell other kids she''s just your family''s nanny, breaking her heart."


    "You spread rumors about her, drove her away, thenined she didn''t care about you."


    "If you don''t want such a great mom, I''ll take her!"