Chapter 141
Matty wore an expression of utter indifference. “It’s not like I want him to be my dad. Why would it matter to me whether he believes me or not?”
Matty’s few simple words left Kelly speechless.
Then, out of nowhere, Matty flashed her a sweet, innocent smile. “Kelly, you know how to do it. But guess what-I do too. And I’m even better at it.”
Before Kelly could make sense of what he meant, Matty suddenly pinched his own arm, hard.
His eyes turned red instantly, and his expression crumpled into something deeply pitiful.
“Kelly, I’m sorry,” he whispered, voice trembling. “I swear, I didn’t hear anything…”
Then, without warning, he dropped to the floor, curling himself into a ball, shaking like a leaf.
“Please,” he whimpered, “don’t pinch me again. Please don’t…”
Kelly froze where she stood.
Even Theo, standing nearby, couldn’t react fast enough.
The hallway fell into silence, so quiet that Matty’s small, frightened voice echoed down its length, ringing clear as a bell.
Instinctively, Kelly moved forward, as if to help the boy off the ground.
But a sharp voice rang out from down the hall.
“Kelly, what are you doing to Matty?!”
Sharon appeared out of nowhere and shoved Kelly aside. “Matty, are you okay?”
In her rush to check on Matty, Sharon’s hand was a bit too forceful.
Kelly gave a shriek and stumbled back, landing hard on the floor.
Just then, Carter stepped out of the teacher’s office. His eyes narrowed the moment he took in the scene.
He walked straight over and helped Kelly to her feet, his face dark.
“Sharon, that was too much.”
Sharon shot him a cold look. “Piss off.”
The kindergarten teachers rushed over and surrounded Matty. One of them bent down, concerned. “Matty, what happened?”
Matty sniffled. “I saw Kelly take Theo to a corner where there aren’t any cameras… I got worried, so I followed. Then I heard Kelly whispering to him…”
Sharon’s eyes darkened. “What did they say?”
Matty lifted his sleeve and wiped his eyes, revealing the mark where he’d pinched himself.
“I… I didn’t hear anything.”
He glanced over at Kelly as he said it, his face full of fear.
“Kelly, I swear I didn’t hear anything…”
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When Shaton saw the bruise on Matty’s arm, her gaze went cold.
“Matty, you don’t have to be scared. I’m here now. No one can hurt you. Just tell me everything you heard, okay? Don’t leave anything out.”
Encouraged by her words, Matty drew in a breath and summoned his courage.
“Kelly told Theo that you and I stopped the doctors from saving him… that we were hoping he’d die. She also told him not to tell anyone. But just now, he almost slipped up. And there’s more… She said Theo’s dad lied, too. That he only said we saved Theo because he was worried about your relationship with him.”
The hallway seemed to freeze in place.
Kelly scrambled to defend herself. “No, Carter, I didn’t push him-I didn’t do anything. He fell on purpose to frame me. If you don’t believe me, ask Theo!”
She yanked the dazed Theo forward.
“Theo, you saw what happened. Tell everyone the truth. Tell them I didn’t do anything. This brat is making it all up!”
“Making it up?” Sharon gave a cold laugh, turning to Theo. “Theo, say it right here, in front of everyone. Tell us, is Matty lying?”
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