Daph wrapped one arm around Penelope, the other around Monica, and spun her two best friends in a dizzying circle.
Clarissa caught sight of the scene and screeched, “Daphne! What on earth are you doing? Put my daughter down this instant!”
Her plea was swallowed up by the girls‘ laughter–light, bright, and utterly unconcerned.
Selene, watching from the side, felt a pang of worry that Daph might launch Monica and Penelope like shot puts across the playground. She gently patted Daph’s back.
“Come on, let’s head to school.”
Daph set Monica and Penelope down. The two girls were flushed and sweaty, but Daph herself wasn’t even out of breath–her round, dark eyes fixed on the folder in Selene’s hand.
“My student file’s already been taken out. Is there any way to put it back?”
Selene explained, “You’ve changed your name. The reason I’m here today is to talk to the school about updating your records.”
She crouched down so she was eye–level with her daughter, her tone solemn. “Daph, I know you don’t want to leave your friends at Charteris Academy, and I support your decision. The other parents will probably lay low for a while, but you and Dames will have to share a classroom…”
“Mom, I’m not backing down!” Daph’s eyes shone with determination.
“I’ll show Dames I’m not someone he can bully or look down on. I’m Dafina, and he’ll
know it.”
Selene’s smile was gentle and proud, a warm spring rain. “Good.” This was Daph’s own path, and Selene was determined to give her the freedom to fly.
Daph grabbed Penelope with one hand, Monica with the other, and the three girls skipped across the campus, laughing all the way.
Selene turned to see Dames standing a short distance away, staring at her intently.
When he realized he’d been spotted, Dames jerked his head away.
“Hmph! Figures–Mom wants to make up with me. Well, I’m not interested!”
“Bye, Flick!”
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Chapter 79
Dames waved enthusiastically at Felicity.
“Bye, sweetie! Your dad and I will pick you up after school.”
Dames couldn’t hide his excitement. Of course Flick was the best–she’d convinced Dad to come pick him up from kindergarten. That took real skill!
Selene had already turned away. “Director, let me walk you out.”
She followed Director White to his car, noticing the ambiguous smile on his face.
Adrian’s intentions were written all over him–he could barely keep them hidden. Director White wondered how things would turn out between Adrian and Selene.
As Selene opened the car door, Director White glanced inside and saw the empty
back seat.
“Is something wrong?” Selene asked, noticing his hesitation.
He shook his head and chuckled. “Looks like someone’s been playing Good Samaritan and vanished before taking any credit.”
Selene was even more puzzled. Who was he talking about?
Director White settled into the car and, rolling down the window, said, “If need anything, you know where to find me.”
you ever
Harrison stepped out of his car, checked his phone, and saw a new video Felicity had posted in the family group chat./
He tapped on the first clip and watched as Daph effortlessly hoisted Dames up.
A chill settled over his features, his dark eyes hardening to ice.
Selene had only taken Daph for a month, and just look at her now! Clearly, Selene had put her up to this.
Harrison’s secretary, trailing just behind, was hit by the sudden drop in temperature. He shivered as Harrison let out a cold, disapproving tsk.
The secretary thought, Something must have really ticked him off instinctively held his breath, trying to make himself invisible.
Still radiating icy displeasure, Harrison strode into the soaring glass lobby of Vaughn Enterprises. When he reached the executive elevator, he found a “Out of Service” sign blocking his way.
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The gloom on his face deepened.
Ever since that trip to city hall to sign the divorce papers, nothing had gone right for him.
Why did trouble keep finding him?
Sweating, the secretary spoke up, “Mr. Vaughn, your private elevator’s out of order. It’ll be at least thirty minutes before it’s back online.”
“I’ll clear the staff elevator for you-”
“That won’t be necessary,” Harrison cut in, voice glacial.
He strode toward the employee elevator. Inside, a dozen staffers straightened up, bowing their heads in greeting.
“Good morning, Mr. Vaughn.”
Harrison gave a curt nod, towering over the rest, his imposing presence radiating an unmistakable “keep away” warning. The employees shrank back, giving him as much space as possible in the cramped lift.
As the elevator climbed, not a soul dared breathe too loud. Everyone pretended to be busy with their phones, eyes firmly averted.
Suddenly, one employee blurted out, “Whoa! The top scorer in the ALI Math Competition prelims–it’s a stay–at–home mom!”
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