Chapter 74
“Yes, she’s my daughter. Her name is Daphne.”
The reporter looked surprised. “So your daughter shares your last name?”
Selene nodded. “That’s right.”
“May I ask about your husband…?”
Selene’s smile was bright and unbothered. “I’m divorced. My ex–husband isn’t worth mentioning.”
A reporter turned to Daphne. “Daphne, would you like to answer a few questions?”
Daphne nodded eagerly. “Sure!”
The petite female reporter crouched to Daphne’s level. “Why did you grab that little boy by the collar just now?”
“He wouldn’t let any of the other kids play with me! Not even my best friend! He told everyone not to talk to me. It made me really mad.”
She glanced down at her palm, a little amazed. “And I didn’t expect it’d be so easy to pick Dames up–he’s really light!”
Earlier, the National Broadcast Network cameraman had been astonished when he saw Daphne lift Dames off the ground with one hand.
“Daphne, let me set my camera down. Could you see if you can lift it?”
The professional camera weighed at least forty pounds.
He placed it gently on the pavement. Daphne grabbed the handle and hoisted it with one hand, grinning. “This is way lighter than the dumbbells I practice with!”
The cameraman’s jaw dropped.
“Daphne, your mom just took first place in the ALI Math Competition preliminaries! Is there anything you’d like to say to her?”
Still holding the camera aloft like a weightlifter, Daphne answered cheerfully, “My mom’s always been incredible! I just want to see her spread her wings and fly–reach for even bigger and higher dreams!”
Selene’s eyes softened as she watched her daughter. Warmth flooded her heart.
1/3
19:58
Chapter 74
The other children stood nearby, gazing jealously as Daphne was surrounded by
reporters.
“Wow, Daphne’s going to be on TV!”
Dames crossed his arms and scowled, kicking at the concrete with his foot.
“We’ve all been on TV before! What’s the big deal?”
His little sidekick piped up, “Yeah, but we were only on the Capital City Kids‘ Channel. My mom says there are a dozen media outlets interviewing Daphne and her mom. Once those interviews air, every kid in the city will know who she is–and they’ll know she’s got a super smart, amazing mom!”
Dames stared blankly at Selene and Daphne, watching as reporters clustered around them. Though they were standing right in front of him, he felt as if they were far, far away.
“Hmph! I don’t care! Even if that woman becomes famous, so what? Even if she begged me to leave the Vaughn family and go with her, I’d never do it!”
Felicity leaned coolly against her sleek black motorcycle. Many parents dropping their kids off at school had decided to linger, listening in on Selene’s interview.
The petite reporter asked Selene, “Just now, I heard the principal of Charteris Academy mention that Daphne is to be expelled. Miss Thompson, what are your plans for her schooling after this?”
The principal shuffled over, voice trembling. “Ms. Thompson, you just won first in the ALI Math Competition! Why didn’t you tell me sooner? Parents from the middle school, high school, and even the elementary division are all asking if you could give a math lecture for our students.”
He hesitated, then added, “Here’s my offer: if you agree to do thirty free math lectures for the students, I’ll let your daughter stay.”
Selene let out a short, cold laugh. “You went along with the smear campaign and slandered my daughter. I won’t let her stay at Charteris Academy another day.”
The principal’s face tightened, resentment flashing in his eyes. He’d already given Selene a way out–why was she being so ungrateful? No wonder → Vaughns wanted nothing to do with her.
“The best preschool in Capital City is at Charteris Academy. If you take your daughter out, where else can you send her that’s better?”
He jabbed a finger at the enrollment papers in Selene’s hand, his smile thin and
10-50
Chapter 74
patronizing. “Miss Thompson, have you thought this through? I’ve already given
you a chance. Sometimes, you have to let go of that pride of yours!
Chapter D
Chapter 75
