Mirabe nced at Mandy, a flicker of recognition crossing her face.


    Johnny?


    She knew Johnny?


    Mandy''s sudden appearance left everyone momentarily stunned. Johnny, caught off guard, took a moment to register her presence. His gaze instinctively sought Mirabe, and noting her cool demeanor, he chose not to respond to Mandy''s greeting.


    Mr. Hammond, standing nearby with furrowed brows, did not recognize Mandy. Given the presence of Johnny and the district''s superintendent, and hearing her call out ''Johnny,'' he politely nodded and asked, "And you are?"


    Mandy''s eyes darted to Johnny and then back, introducing herself with a slight twist in her voice, "I''m Mirabe''s mother."


    At that deration, Mirabe couldn''t help butugh.


    The audacity was unparalleled.


    Mr. Hammond, taken aback, wondered if his memory was failing him. He didn''t recall Mirabe''s mother looking anything like this woman. With a puzzled look, he turned to Mirabe.


    Meeting his gaze, Mirabe''s expression was icy as she stated tly, "She''s not."


    Mandy''s face froze, clearly not expecting such a public denial.


    "Oh," Mr. Hammond said, nodding in a way that managed to save face for everyone involved. "If you''re looking for someone, you might want to head to the main office. They can make an announcement for you."


    Mandy bit her lip, her eyes locked on Mirabe. "No, I''m here for her. She is my foster daughter."


    At this, Mr. Hammond connected the dots-it was the Gilbert family drama unfolding before him. He remembered thest incident with thepetition when Bernardo Gilbert hade to the school using his foster daughter of cheating.


    Now, seeing Mirabe''s reaction, it didn''t take a detective for Mr. Hammond to grasp the strained rtionship. His previously courteous face took on a more serious mien.


    "I''m sorry, but we''re in the middle of a discussion here. Please, don''t interrupt," Mr. Hammond said firmly.


    Then, as if to deliberately exclude Mandy, he turned back to the superintendent and Johnny, heaping praise upon Mirabe.


    Mandy, treated as if she were invisible, felt the sting of embarrassment but was too proud to walk away. Listening to Mr. Hammond''sudatory words, however, twisted the knife of resentment within her.


    Her own daughter had always been the academic star among her social circle, earning the envy of many a high-society matron for her schstic achievements. And yet, she had never imagined that this foster daughter, who once needed money to enter a decent high school, would shine so brightly in this elite institution.


    To be singled out by Mr. Hammond anduded in front of someone of Johnny''s caliber-this was a level of recognition her biological daughter could only dream


    of.


    If only this exceptional child were known as part of the Gilbert family—what a dazzling sight that would be.


    Mandy''s grip tightened on her purse, a twinge of regret piercing her for the first time. If only she hadn''t let their rtionship grow so sour...


    Just then, Johnny''s phone buzzed in his pocket. He stepped aside to take the call, spoke briefly, and hung up.


    Checking the time, Johnny said to Mr. Hammond, "We should be going."


    "Of course," Mr. Hammond responded politely.


    Johnny pursed his lips, turning to Mirabe. "Well, Ms. Mirabe, I''ll be seeing you."


    She nodded in acknowledgment.


    Seeing Johnny about to leave, Mandy, desperate and heedless of the awkwardness or the others present, called out to him, "Wait, Johnny."