Chapter 98 An Envelope
Chapter 98 An Envelope
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Franklin leaned back and asked, “Hey, old thing, we’ve been stubborn with each other for half our lives. What’s so bad about letting me be your big brother for once?
“I’ll be the one who’s reborn first,” he added with a grin. “So even in our next life, I’ll still be your big brother.”
Walter rolled his eyes. “In your dreams. For all you know, I might get reborn first, and then I’ll be your big brother.”
By the time he said thatst line, there was a spark of yful anticipation in his eyes.
Franklin grabbed the pillow behind him and lobbed it at Walter. “Your dreams are bigger than mine! You’re way healthier than I am. Who knows, maybe I’ll just drop dead one day–don’t be too sad when it happens.”
“Knock on wood!” Walter quickly tossed the pillow back. “Don’t talk nonsense like that!”
Franklin chuckled, unfazed, and let the matter drop.
Walter had grown up in the mountains. The only reason he’d made it through school and into college was that Franklin had paid his way.
After graduating, Walter went straight to work at Jackman Enterprise, staying by Franklin’s side ever since.
They had weathered countless hardships together, building a friendship far deeper than an ordinary boss–and–employee rtionship. Teasing each other had be second nature, and neither took those words to heart.
But neither of them could have guessed that fate loved to y cruel jokes–and that one offhand remark might one daye true.
After saying goodbye <i>to </i>Franklin and promising to be back in time for his birthday, Walter set off for Tom’s hometown.
Before leaving, though, he handed Tracy a folder.
Thest time Tracy hade to him, she’d asked for help looking into Phoebe’s situation. He had found something, and along with the information, he gave her another envelope.
Tracy took it straight to the school.
<b>9:20 </b><b>Sat</b><b>, </b><b>Sep </b><b>6 </b><b>B</b>…
Chapter 98 An Envelope
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Walking through the gates again, the familiar yet distant campus made her feel like she’d stepped into another lifetime.
She had earned her ce at this school through her merit, walking in on her first day full of dreams and hope. But two years ago, she’d gotten a phone call from Norris, rushed out in excitement, and never came back.
It took her a while to shake off the heaviness in her chest. Then she headed toward the principal’s office.
Just as she reached for the door, it swung open from the inside.
Before she could react, someone was shoved out. She caught the person instinctively, but the force made her stumble back two steps.
Once she steadied herself, she realized it was Phoebe’s daughter, Trina Kirnd.
Trina didn’t even nce back. She rushed to the door and blocked it from closing, not caring if her hand got caught.
Inside, the bespectacled principal, Kellen Schmidt, looked at her with a mix of anger and exasperation. “I’ve told you many times, the matter with Phoebe is already finalized. The notice has been sent out. Coming to me won’t change anything.”
Trina’s eyes were red, but her voice was stubborn. “You know my mom is innocent. Why would you fire her?
“If you hadn’t lied to her and destroyed all the evidence she had, she wouldn’t have gotten so upset that she fell sick.”
Kellen didn’t flinch. His tone was cold, even cruel. “If you want to me someone, me Phoebe herself. She should’ve let things go, but she just had to stir them up again.
“Trina, dragging this out will only make her look more like a joke…”
“That’s an awful thing <i>to </i>say,” Tracy cut in, her face hard. “Professor Dinwiddie is a respected educator. The only ones who should beughed at are the people who wronged her.”
Trina finally remembered that someone else was behind her. When she turned and saw Tracy, her resentment red even stronger.
She narrowed her eyes, not hiding the dislike in her expression, but she didn’t speak.
”
However, Kellen looked at Tracy with curiosity. “And you are…
9:20 <b>Sat</b><b>, </b><b>Sep </b><b>6 </b>B…
Chapter 98 An Envelope
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He thought she seemed familiar, but with so many students passing through every day, it was impossible to remember them all.
Tracy stepped closer. “My name’s Tracy Yarwood. I used to be a student here.”
She didn’t think she was well–known enough for Kellen to remember her, but the slight change in his expression told her otherwise.
He clearly remembered her–and not in a casual way.
Instead of asking who she was, he went straight to, “What brings you here?”
Tracy kept her voice steady as she nced at Trina, who still had a stormy look on her face. “I’m here about Professor Dinwiddie.”
Kellen’s expression darkened. “This is a school matter. It’s already over, and it doesn’t concern outsiders like you.”
He started to close the door on them.
But before it shut, Tracy wedged the envelope between the door and the frame. “I don’t think you’d want more people seeing what’s in here.”
There was a quiet threat in her voice. Kellen bristled, but when his eyes met hers, his anger stalled.
After a pause, he took the envelope and opened it.
<b>9:20 </b><b>Sat</b>, <b>Sep </b>
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