Chapter <b>311 </b>


    Miss Trunchbull, the Dean of Students finished speaking and closed <b>the </b>door with an abrupt m.


    Teresa immediately pressed against the door, discovering to <b>her </b>surprise that the stern woman had locked it! How annoying!


    Teresa tugged at the doorknob In vain, it was locked light.


    She looked at Hayes in disappointment, <b>but </b>his bright, innocent eyes inexplicably lifted her spirits.


    “So your name is Hayes Winston? We share ast name, what a coincidence! Are you regretting joining my Vine Whip Alliance?”


    Hayes lifted his head, finding Teresa’s voice to be pleasing, like the chime of wind bells.


    He desperately wanted to respond to her, to tell her, “I don’t regret it at all!”


    <b>But </b>his voice seemed trapped, and he couldn’t <b>utter </b>a single word.


    Teresa moved closer <b>to </b>him, herrge eyes fixed on him, “Why aren’t you <b>saying </b>anything? You’re not mute, are you? Mutes can’t join the Vine Whip


    Alliance<b>. </b>


    Hayes felt a pang of sorrow. He wasn’t mute! He used to be able to speak! He didn’t know when it started, but one day he just couldn’t speak anymore. His godfather said it was psychological, and he had been receiving treatment <b>ever </b>since


    Hayes wanted to exin this to Teresa. His mouth moved under his cor, <b>but </b>no sound came out.


    Seeing no response from him, Teresa felt a bit frustrated. She pointed at the phone, asking, “Do you want to call your dad?”


    Hayes stared at her, unsure of what to do.


    After some thought, Teresa suddenly grabbed a piece of paper and a pen, “Or you could write down your dad’s number, and I <b>could </b>call for you?*


    Hayes hesitated, neither speaking nor making any indication of what he wanted.


    Teresa puffed her cheeks in annoyance, “Don’t you want to call him? Are you scared your dad will spank you?”


    She was met with silence.


    Now Teresa was the one feeling desperate, “Forget it, I can’t wait around for you. I’ve already had to call parents three times this week. My mom is going to kill me! Anyway, I can’t call.”


    The little girl muttered to herself as she rolled up her sleeves and moved towards the window, peeking out for a moment before turning back around to give her final instructions


    “Listen, the dean is really strict. When your <b>dad </bes, tell him not to argue with her. Otherwise once your dad leaves, she’ll take it out on you”


    With a bright smile, Teresa waved at Hayes, “I’m leaving, bye!”


    As she said this, she climbed onto a stool and prepared to escape through the window.


    Watching Teresa’s retreating figure, Hayes felt a strange turmoil. He had never had someone his age speak to him so directly and show concern for him.


    Teresa was about to leap from the window, her bnce shaky and precarious.


    Hayes‘ heart leapt, and before he knew it, he blurted out, “Be careful!”


    He darted towards her, his hands raised as if to catch her.


    Teresa paused, turning to look at Hayes, “Oh, so you can speak. You’re not muter


    Hayes was stunned. He had just… spoken? He could speak again!


    Teresa excitedly extended her arm towards him, “So, do you want to leave with me? I can protect you!”


    Hayes knew, subconsciously, that escaping through the window was wrong. If his mom found out, she would surely spank him. But looking at Teresa, Hayes reached out his hand.


    And then, two small, adorable hands tightly held onto each other.