A flicker of panic shed in her eyes.


    She didn''t know much about this man, but judging from the powerful aura he exuded, it was clear he wasn''t someone ordinary.


    While Ste and Neville were reviewing the security footage, Haynes and Rachel arrived as well.


    Though Keen hadn''t thrown the first punch, everything had started because of him.


    So the school had called in Keen''s parents, too.


    When Rachel heard that Keen had been involved in an incident, she assumed Marvin must have lost his temper and gotten into a fight with him, so she came right away.


    As soon as the pair stepped into the office, they saw Ste and Neville huddled together, watching the footage intently.


    Rachel spoke in a gentle undertone. "Keen, did someone hurt you?"


    Keen hesitated, then shook his head.


    Rachel''s voice grew even softer, full of reassurance. "You don''t have to be afraid, Keen. If someone''s picking on you, your dad and I will make sure you''re treated fairly."


    Ste didn''t even lift her head at Rachel''s pointed words. She barely spared her a nce, feeling it would be a waste of energy.


    The camera angle wasn''t exactly close to the scene, and while there was no audio, the video was perfectly clear.


    On the screen, it was obvious-Marvin had indeed struck first.


    Ste frowned. "What were those kids saying to make Marvinsh out like that?"


    The moment Mrs. Ayers caught sight of Neville and Haynes, her bravado faded. She no longer dared to act as high and mighty as before, and snapped irritably, "Whatever was said, it''s no excuse for that child to hit my son."


    Just then, Keen''s small, hesitant voice piped up.


    "Sheldon and the others were trying to bully me. That''s why Marvin stepped in and started the fight."


    Everyone turned to look at Keen.


    Rachel looked especially surprised. "Keen, I thought you and Marvin didn''t get along? Are you sure... he did that because of you?"


    The tension between Keen and Marvin was no secret. Every child and teacher in the school knew about it.


    Keen nodded. "I''m sure."


    No sooner had he spoken than Mrs. Ayers'' shrill voice cut through the room. "Impossible! My son is perfectly well-behaved. There''s no way he''d pick on Keen." She turned to face him. "Keen, sweetheart, even if you want to help your mother, you shouldn''t lie, should you?"


    "I''m not lying," Keen replied, his voice trembling.


    But Mrs. Ayers just looked at him, unconvinced.


    "Your mom''s already busy looking after someone else''s child. Now you''re lying for


    her, just to help Marvin escape the consequences?"


    Keen blurted out, "I''m not!"


    Rachel''s gaze softened. "Keen, why would they want to bully you?"


    But Keen could only stammer, unable to give a clear answer.


    Ste looked at Marvin. "Marvin, can you tell me why would they want to pick on Keen?"


    But Marvin suddenly spoke up. "They didn''t pick on Keen. I just didn''t like the way they were acting, so I hit him. This has nothing to do with Keen. I started it, so I''ll take responsibility."


    Keen''s eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at Marvin.


    Mrs. Ayers visibly rxed at Marvin''s confession.


    Whatever background this Marvin kid had, as long as the O''Brien family wasn''t offended, maybe things could still be smoothed over.


    In Neo-Vespera, the Ayers Group depended on the O''Briens just to maintain their status in this cutthroat city.


    She was always telling Sheldon to look up to Keen, never missing a chance to curry favor with the O''Brien family.