<b>Chapter </b><b>79 </b>


    Briar was determined to help Ellen get justice. Almost the entire ss had participated in isting and bullying Ellen<b>, </b><b>with </b>the school and teachers turning a blind eye.


    Some students with weaker nerves, facing Briar’s strong presence and Ashton’s imposing demeanor, knew they couldn’t hide their <b>bullying </b>of Ellen anymore and had already huddled together, trembling.


    Landon was sweating bullets at the door. It was embarrassing to have the whole situationid bare, especially with so many students and teachers from neighboring sses staring their way. If things continued like this, it would be hard <i>to </i>wrap up gracefully.


    Ashton naturally understood Landon’s concerns, but he still stood there, not giving Landon a chance to speak.


    Since Ashton wasn’t speaking, Landon didn’t dare to ask Briar to leave either. He could only hope she would take pity and take the girls <b>out </b>of the ssroom.


    Briar didn’t really want to disrupt the ss further. She knocked on the podium again to gather everyone’s attention and said, “You have two options now.


    “One, còme with me quietly, and we’ll find a ce to have a good chat. Two, since you’ve already called your parents, they’ll probably be here soon. We can just wait here until everyone arrives, and then I’ll have the chat with all of you at once.”


    Though she said there were two options, there really was only one choice, to have the chat. Everyone could tell that this chat wouldn’t <b>be </b>pleasant.


    However, the idea of having the talk outside was enough to make Liora and her friends stand up and head for the door immediately.


    They didn’t hold out much hope, but they still wanted to settle this privately. Otherwise, being watched by their ssmates was both


    awkward and humiliating.


    All ssmates were guilty of bullying, yet only a few of them were singled out. It was unfair.


    Seeing Landon beckoning her to leave, Ellen didn’t immediatelyply. Instead, she looked at Briar. “Briar, are we going out together?”


    Briar nced at Elowen, who obediently headed for the ssroom door. Briar then led Ellen to follow. “Let’s go.”


    Once Liora and the others were out of sight, the math teacher came back in and tried to resume the ss. “Alright, let’s continue with the


    lesson.”


    But no one was in the mood to study anymore. Their minds were all with Briar and the others.


    Liora and her friends followed the crowd nervously, watching as the principal and other school leaders bowed and apologized to Ashton and


    the woman. They felt very uneasy.


    Rachel quietly tugged at Liora’s sleeve. “Liora, why is Mr. Wade backing that scary woman? She doesn’t seem to be from one of the four major families in Shoneport.”


    The heiresses from the four major families in Shoneport were never as fierce as this woman.


    Jaclyn nodded in agreement. “Yeah. I also texted my parents, but I don’t know if they’ll bring enough money when they get here.”


    In their minds, bullying Ellen wasn’t a big deal. They just dragged her into the restroom and bullied her a bit, nothin they had gone easy on her and didn’t throw her into the boys‘ restroom like others did.


    J


    serious, Besides,


    They had been bullying her for years, and her adoptive parents didn’t seem to care, yet this woman was here to make such a fuss<b>. </b><b>All </b><b>this </b><b>was </b>


    Chapter <b>79 </b>


    <b>just </b><b>to </b><b>get </b>more <b>money </b>for Ellen, in their eyes.


    <b>These </b>spoiled kids didn’t realize the seriousness of the situation at all. Once their parents arrived and offered a <b>private </b><b>settlement</b>, <b>thi </b>woman would surely demand a huge sum.


    Landon led Ashton and Briar to the VIP reception room on the first floor. Everyone waited for Ashton to speak.


    Ashton sat there with his arms crossed, his expression indifferent. “You don’t need to look at me. I’m not the one making decisions <b>today </b>Talk to Briar. I’ll go along with whatever she says.”


    Briar, who had been quietly talking to Ellen, paused when she heard Ashton’s voice and looked over. Meeting Ashton’s amused <b>gaze</b>, she quickly looked away.


    At that moment, the security guard called the principal to say that Liora’s parents had arrived, Landon quickly asked the guard <b>to </b><b>bring </b>them to the reception room.


    Liora’s parents didn’t know exactly what had happened, but since their daughter’s message mentioned Ashton, they didn’t dare <b>to </b>take it


    lightly and rushed over, leaving their work behind.


    Fraser Winters was a slightly overweight middle–aged man. His narrowed eyes made people feel ufortable when he stared at them<b>. </b>


    However, having spent years in business, he always had a friendly smile that softened the difort.


    Samantha Winters was the typical elegant housewife, with delicate skin, a good figure, and dressed in high–ss clothes. Like Fraser, she always smiled before speaking, giving off an air of sophistication.


    When the security guard led them into the reception room, the first thing they did was look for Ashton. Upon seeing him, they immediately walked over with smiles and greeted him.


    Fraser approached Ashton with a beaming smile, bending slightly and extending his hand. “Mr. Wade, I’m truly sorry. My daughter has caused you trouble.”


    Ashton didn’t take his hand and shook his head. “You got the wrong person. You should apologize to the little girl over there named Ellen. Your daughter and her friends have been bullying her for a long time, causing serious harm to her physical and mental well–being<b>.” </b>


    Only then did Fraser shift his gaze to the two young girls sitting beside Ashton. Having seen many people in his time, Fraser quickly identified which one was Ellen.


    One had shoulder–length hair and could only be described as in–looking, with a timid and fearful gaze. Judging by her clothes<b>, </b>which were clearly not designer brands, it was obvious she came from an ordinary family. In his mind, it was almost a favor that his daughter had bullied such a girl.


    But of course, he couldn’t say that in front of Ashton and the school leaders. So, he immediately put on a pained and angry expression and severely scolded Liora.


    “Liora, what’s going on here? How could you bully your ssmate? It’s not easy for a student like her to get into Shoneport High School. You all should be helping and caring for each other instead,” he snapped.


    With just a few words, he downyed what Ashton had called school bullying as ack of unity and mutual assistance among ssmates<b>, </b><b>a </b>ssic move from a master of evading responsibility.


    Then, Samantha walked up to Ellen with an apologetic smile and gently took her hand in a caring manner.


    “Dear, it’s all my fault for not keeping a closer eye on Liora. I can’t believe she would cause trouble at school <b>and </b><b>bully such </b><b>a </b>sweet girl like you. It’s really uneptable. Don’t worry, I’ll definitely discipline her when we get home,” she said.


    Samantha continued, “Good girl, let me see if you’re hurt anywhere. I’ll take you to the best hospital in Shoneport *


    The moment this couple arrived, they put on a show for Briar, trying to evade responsibility. Their words were all about <b>indulging </b><b>and </b>protecting their daughter, yet they made it seem like there was nothing one could do about it.


    After all, they were people of status. They had already humbled themselves to apologize. If a powerless child were to press the issue further, it would be seen as not knowing one’s ce.


    AD