Chapter10: They’ll Never Return 

Savannah quickly covered Tommy’s mouth. 

“What’s the point of calling your mom? Can she help you win?” 

Minu 

Tommy choked back a sob, his tear–blurred eyes searching for Lily. Lily, with her award–winning project, was waiting to present. 

“Mommy can definitely help Lily win!” 

Savannah sneered. “Lily can’t win!” 

Tommy looked at Savannah, tears welling. 

“You don’t believe that?” 

Savannah gently squeezed his shoulder. “Watch this!” 

Beside Lily was a huge plastic bag containing her project. Savannah approached with a mischievous grin, subtly lifting one foot. 

Lily caught sight of Savannah and, with surprising speed and strength, grabbed Savannah’s ankle, yanking her off balance. 

“Aaah!” Savannah crashed to the ground, yelping in pain and fury.”Lily, did you just trip me?!” 

Lily said, “You almost stepped on my project!” 

Savannah clutched her bruised elbow.“Who saw that? You’re framing me!” She hadn’t realized how strong Lily was. 

Evelyn rushed over seeing the argument. Savannah, spotting Caleb, immediately complained, “I lost my balance, and your daughter grabbed my ankle and threw me down! If I hadn’t reacted quickly, I would’ve hit my head!” 

Galeb knew Lily was strong.“Lily, apologize to Savannah.” 

Lily’s face reddened.“Aunt Sav almost stepped on my project!” 

Savannah asked, “Did I? Don’t frame me!” 

Evelyn pulled Lily close; the girl clung to her leg, her eyes fixed on Savannah with defiance. Evelyn looked towards the ceiling and addressed Caleb, ‘Let’s check the security footage.” 

Ms. Jones immediately pulled up the video. “I reviewed the footage. Miss Hayes almost stepped on Lily’s project.” 

Evelyn nodded towards Savannah.“Apologize to my daughter.” 

Savannah protested, “Evelyn, seriously? I didn’t ruin anything. She rubbed her back, grimacing. “Lily, you hurt me but I don’t blame you.” 

Lily’s face remained cold. “The walkway is wide open, but you had to step on my project! You did it on purpose!” 

“Lily, why would you think that?” 

“I want an apology!” 

Savannah scoffed, “I’m not stooping to your level.” 

“Apologize to Lily,” Caleb’s voice cut through the air, surprising Savannah. 

ter10 They I Never Return 

“Caleb, do you think I did it on purpose?” She felt wronged. “Even if I did, did Lily lose anything?” Lily huffed.“Are you going to apologize or not?!” 

“Lily, you need to get ready for your presentation,” Ms. Jones reminded her. 

Savannah smiled.“If you win first place, I’ll apologize. Deal?” 

Lily readily agreed. Don’t back out! If I win, you have 

have to 

to apologize to 

to me!” 

“Okay, okay, whatever you say. Savannah wasn’t worried. The competition was fierce; many children had better projects and presentations. She’d seen them. Lily wouldn’t win. ly took the stage, wearing her crisp white shirt and red plaid skirt, her hair styled in two cute buns. She was undeniably charming- 

But 

soon as she began, whispers erupted.“Isn’t she 

Someone sneered.“A little?” 

а little… chubby?” 

Two mothers exchanged amused glances. Most of the girls were slender and elegant; Lily was more robust, a contrast to the other students. 

Lily presented her project: a meticulously crafted Yellow Crane Tower made from straws. 

“This is the Yellow Crane Tower, made by my mom and me. We scaled down the real tower one hundred times.” 

As soon as she finished, the teleprompter went black. 

Evelyn noticed Lily’s change in expression and the dark teleprompter. A middle–aged woman was walking towards them. 

Evelyn wanted to say “Mom” but stopped. 

“Mrs. Helen Reed.” 

“Mom.” 

Evelyn and Caleb spoke simultaneously. 

After greeting her former mother–in–law, Evelyn headed towards the control area to check the teleprompter. Helen grabbed her wrist. 

“I had someone turn off the teleprompter.” 

Evelyn was shocked. “Why?” 

“If Lily won, how would Tommy feel? Evelyn, as a mother, don’t you know how important. fairness is?” Her 

gaze was filled with disapproval and disappointment. 

“If fairness means Lily doesn’t get what she deserves, I don’t need this kind of fairness!” Evelyn threw off her hand. 

Helen 

lowered her voice. “Evelyn! 

Don’t you forget you’re still. Reed!” 

Lily’s voice echoed through the auditorium. 

“The Yellow Crane Tower stands atop Snake Mountain, overlooking the Yangtze River. The main tower is octagonal, five–story, with a pointed roof covered in golden glazed tiles, supported by 72 round columns…” 

Evelyn’s eyes snapped to the stage. Lily continued her speech, facing the blank teleprompter. Everyone was amazed.“Lily is giving an impromptu speech? She’s incredible!” 

| — 16.50 

Chapter10 They Never Return 

“My son couldn’t even read that smoothly!” 

“Evelyn raised such a wonderful daughter? Wow!” 

“The yellow crane has gone, leaving only the tower…” 

Caleb looked at Evelyn’s profile. She focused intently on her daughter, her eyes shining with pride. 

The crane will never return…” 

Evelyn smiled. Caleb felt a flutter. 

the cranes that had flown from the Reed family were heading towards a wider world. They would never return. 

Chapter A Kick to Savannah