Chapter 151
Marvin wore a look of utter indifference. “I don’t need him to be my dad. What he thinks of me doesn’t matter at all.”
His words left Rachel speechless.
All of a sudden, Marvin shot Rachel a charming smile. “Rachel, anything you can do, I can do too—and probably even better.”
It wasn’t until she saw him suddenly pinch his arm hard that Rachel understood what he meant.
Immediately, his eyes reddened, and his face transformed into an expression of profound distress.”Ms. Pearce, I’m sorry. I swear I didn’t hear anything…” Marvin plopped down onto the floor, hugging his knees, shivering as though he were terrified. “Please, please don’t hit me anymore,” he whimpered.
Rachel was completely taken aback. Even Keen, who stood nearby, was too shocked to react.
The hallway was eerily quiet, Marvin’s voice echoing sharply through the space. Instinctively, Rachel moved to help the curled-up Marvin to his feet.
Just then, a stern voice cut through the silence from down the hall. “Rachel, what do you think you’re doing to Marvin?!”
Stella rushed over, pushing Rachel aside. “Marvin, are you alright?”
Stella’s urgency made her grip a bit too forceful.
Rachel let out a yelp, tumbling to the floor.
Haynes, who had just stepped out of the teacher’s office, took in the scene with a darkening expression. He hurried to Rachel’s side, helping her up as well.
“Stella, that was too much.”
Stella shot back, her voice icy, “Back off!”
The kindergarten teachers gathered around Marvin, asking, “Marvin, what happened?”
Marvin sniffled, “I saw Ms. Pearce lead Keen into a corner without cameras. I was worried, so I went over. Then I heard Ms. Pearce whispering to Keen…”
Stella’s eyes narrowed. “What did they say?”
Marvin cleaned his tears, revealing a red mark where he had pinched himself. “I… I didn’t hear anything.” He cast a fearful glance at Rachel. “Ms. Pearce, I didn’t hear a thing…”
Encouraged by Stella, Marvin took a deep breath and spoke.
Stella’s expression turned stern when she noticed the mark on Marvin’s arm. She reassured him, “Marvin, don’t be afraid. I’m here, and no one will hurt you. Just tell us what you heard.”
“She also told Keen not to mention it to anyone, but Keen almost slipped up earlier. And…”
“She said Mr. O’Brien was lying too, that he was worried about Keen and Stella’s relationship, so he made it look like we saved Keen…”
The air seemed to freeze for a moment.
Rachel hurried to defend herself, “No, Haynie, I didn’t push him… he fell on purpose to set me up… ask Keen!”
She grabbed Keen, who was still in shock. “Keen, you saw it, tell everyone that Rachel didn’t do anything, this kid’s making it up!”
“Lying?” Stella’s laugh was cold as she turned to Keen, “Keen, tell everyone right now, is Marvin lying?”