As Mr. Hammond finished speaking, Summer’s eyes snapped <b>open </b>in disbelief, as if she couldn’t fathom such a development<b>. </b>


    Colton was also stunned for a moment before snapping back to reality, frowning as he said, “On what grounds are you cancelling my daughter’s nationalpetition eligibility? She hasn’t done anything wrong<b>!</b>”


    Mr. Hammond let out a cold chuckle, “Why her eligibility is being cancelled is something we all understand very well. If I were to pursue the matter of the leakedpetition materials, do you really think your daughter would get off with just a cancetion?”


    Putting aside the fact that Summer, as an up–anding starlet in the entertainment industry, couldn’t afford a scandal, the issue of the Education Association leaking confidentialpetition materials, if made public, could force even the national education authorities to step in and take action.


    Colton suddenly felt a cold sweat drench his back.


    “<b>I </b>ept the punishment.” Before Colton could speak, Summer, who had been standing by, spoke up. Though she was ufortable with the situation, this oue was the best under the circumstances. Even if she continued in the nationalpetition<b>, </b>she would be just making up the numbers, so why should she waste more time on <b>it</b>?


    Colton nced at his daughter and ultimately said nothing more.


    Morgan, standing to the side, let out a self–deprecatingugh. He would probably never be able to hold his head high in front of Mr. Hammond again.


    After leaving the office, Summer walked Colton out of the school.


    “Why haven’t you ever mentioned Mirabe’s grades to me all this time?” Colton asked heavily as they walked.


    Summer pinched her hand and replied softly, “I’m not familiar with her.<b>” </b>


    Colton stopped in his tracks and turned around with an expressionless face. “Do you really take me for <b>a </b>fool?”


    With things having escted to this point<b>, </b>it would be foolish not to see the underlying reasons if he hadn’t lived these years in vain.


    Summer met Colton’s dark eyes, and her face instantly paled. “…<b>” </b>


    “Being so impatient, you’ll hardly make it big.” Colton said coldly, dropping the words as he left. She’d hardly make it big?


    Summer watched her father’s retreating figure, with a slight twist on her lips. If it hadn’t been for Alden secretly sending the materials to Mirabe, would today’s events even happen?


    Around noon, Mirabe paid a visit to Mr. Hammond’s office.


    “Are you sure you want to keep up this guilty facade?” Mirabe sat in the chair, somewhat amused as she looked at Mr. Hammond. He had been in this state for a solid five minutes.


    Mr. Hammond coughed and finally spoke, “It was I who brought you Into Parkside High School, and yet it has led to you being ndered and doubted time and again.”


    Mirabe arched an eyebrow. Her hand casually rested on the arm of the chair. “Excellence always breeds jealousy. There’s no need for you to me yourself.”


    Mr. Hammond heared this, and his lips twitched. He fell silent for a moment and then sighed lightly. “I haven’t realized you had some history with the Gilbert family.” He didn’t mention the more delicate matter of the Gilbert family’s adopted daughter.


    Mirabe pursed her lips. Her demeanor was nonchnt. She simply said, “Myst name is Davids now.”


    With that statement, she distanced herself from any rtion to the Gilbert family.


    “No matter what, you’ve been wronged in this affair,” Mr. Hammond said with a wry smile.


    The Gilberts had risen from new money to the helm of Gilbert Enterprises, securing their ce among the city’s elite families. Their connections were obviously strong, which was why thepetition material incident had been so easily glossed over.


    Although Mr. Hammond wanted to defend Mirabe, getting on thw wrong side of the education association wasn’t beneficial for her. After all, the Davis family was just an ordinary household, without the means or power to fight against those wealthy dynasties.


    He didn’t want to see such a promising talent get suppressed and ruined by those in higher ces. After weighing his options,promise was the only choice, even if it was reluctant.