213 Chapter 213- Whispers of Demise and a Vicious Takeover
213 Chapter 213 – Whispers of Demise and a Vicious Takeover
“You’ve dealt with worse?” Eamon asked. D
“Not anymore,” the superintendent replied firmly. “And I suggest you leave the premises before I add your behavior to the report.
“Thank you,” he said quietly. “I don’t know how to repay you for this.”
The color drained from their faces as they slowly turned to see me standing in the doorway.
I raised an eyebrow at Eamon, who suddenly became very interested in fishing out a piece of beef from the pot.
“Yes,” I said firmly. “We are.”
All heads turned to see a tall, distinguished man striding toward us. His tailored suit and commanding presence immediately changed the atmosphere.
I recognized him instantly–the district superintendent.
I traced the family tree displayed on one page. “But they’re not invincible. Not like the aristocratic families in Veridia City.”
I closed the file, my mind made up. “We’ll handle this carefully. One step at a time.” “See?” She nudged her brother triumphantly. “I told you Mr. Knight was nice!”
As we approached the management wing, I spotted two of Roman’s men standing outside Anthony’s door. They weren’t acting like guards–more like prisoners on display.
When they saw me, their eyes widened in shock.
“I don’t care what excuses you have, Harding!” a gruff voice barked. “Liam Knight dead, and Manager Caldwell is in charge now. Either sign these transfer papers or we’ll make you sign them.”
He turned to me. “Mr. Knight, I apologize for this disgraceful handling of the situation.
213 Chapter 213 – Whispers of Demise and a Vicious Takeover
I assure you appropriate action will be taken.”
Mrs. Langley stepped forward, ready to spin her tale. “Sir, there’s been a misunderstanding-”
“What kind of action?” I asked, not willing to back down until justice was served.
Headmaster Gordon’s face drained of color. “Mr. Barnes! I didn’t know you were visiting today.”
He met my eyes directly. “Now I know better. You’ve done more for us than anyone ever has. You didn’t have to help with Erin’s situation, but you did.”
Before I could respond, voices filtered through the door–angry, threatening voices. “Clearly,” the superintendent replied coldly. He surveyed the scene with calculating eyes. “Conrad Thornton called me directly. Something about blatant corruption and abuse of power at one of my schools?”
The industrial district loomed ahead, smokestacks puncturing the sky. As we approached the factory, something felt off. The usual bustle of workers was subdued. People moved with an unnatural stiffness, eyes darting nervously.
“Please,” Anthony’s voice trembled. “This factory belongs to Mr. Knight. I can’t just—”
The superintendent turned to them with a softer expression. “Young lady, I promise you’ll be safe at this school from now on. We’ll have a new administration in place by
tomorrow.”
“First stop when we get back?” Eamon asked, scrolling through messages on his phone.
“The footage clearly shows Jordan Langley bullying Erin Grenville on multiple occasions,” the superintendent continued. “Including yesterday’s incident where he threatened her on the stairwell.”
“Something’s wrong,” I muttered as we parked.
Mrs. Langley’s mouth fell open. “You can’t do this! My husband runs this school!”
The next morning, we loaded our bags into the car for the drive back to Havenwood City. The open road stretched before us, a straight line cutting through rolling hills and farmland.
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213 Chapter 213- Whispers of Demise and a Vicious Takeover
Headmaster Gordon began to stammer. “Well, I–that is–we hadn’t had time to-”
After ensuring Erin was settled in her classroom with a teacher who actually cared, Eamon and I walked back to my car.
I shook my head. “No need. Some things are just right to do.”
Inside wasn’t any better. Workers avoided eye contact, hunching their shoulders as if trying to become invisible. The atmosphere was thick with tension.
The scene inside froze like a twisted tableau. Anthony cowered in the corner, blood trickling from his split lip. Two burly men in expensive suits stood over him, one with his fist still raised.
“You said he was scary and dangerous,” Erin corrected with the brutal honesty only children possess.
“Actual friends,” I confirmed, finding myself smiling at her enthusiasm.
“Much worse,” I confirmed. “The Thorntons are wealthy and connected, but they’re still just a regional power. In Veridia City, there are families who’ve held power for
centuries.”
The simple gratitude in his voice was genuine.
By afternoon, Erin’s school day had ended, and I decided to treat both siblings to a
proper
meal. We found ourselves at a popular hot pot restaurant, steam rising from the bubbling broth between us.
“Save it,” he cut her off with a raised hand. “I’ve already reviewed the security footage.”
Images flashed through my mind–the Ashworth family’s vast influence, the Sterling family’s ruthlessness, the Veridia City Martial Guild’s absolute power.
“Can I really have whatever I want?” Erin asked, eyes wide at the extensive menu.
“Anything,” I confirmed. “Today is a celebration.”
“Where’s Anthony?” I asked a passing foreman.
He was right. Instead of the familiar faces of Roman’s men, strangers in ill–fitting uniforms stood at the gates. They watched us with suspicious eyes as we walked past.
As the disgraced headmaster and teacher were escorted away, I felt a surge of
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satisfaction. Sometimes, justice did prevail.
“The factory,” I replied. “I want to check on Anthony. Make sure everything’s running smoothly.”
My eyebrows shot up. “I thought there weren’t any cameras monitoring the students?”
Eamon handed me a steaming mug. “Scared?”
Eamon cleared his throat, embarrassment coloring his cheeks. “I never said he wasn’t.”
“You don’t get it, do you?” another voice snarled. “Your precious boss is dead. Probably rotting in some ditclt outside the city. Now sign the papers!”
“And now?” I prompted.
“These people are more connected than I thought,” I admitted, flipping through pages of business holdings and political connections.
Her face brightened instantly. “Really? Like actual friends?”
Without warning, I kicked the door open.
“Dead, am I?” I said coldly. “Funny, I don’t feel dead.”
“Of course you can,” he confirmed with a gentle smile. “This is your school, not theirs.”
“Cautious,” I corrected. “The Thorntons have fingers in every major industry in this region. Taking them on directly would be suicide.”
Eamon nodded. “The security guards those aren’t our guys.”
I glanced at Eamon, who looked equally curious about my answer.
White–hot fury surged through me. I locked eyes with Eamon, who looked equally enraged.
“There aren’t,” the superintendent confirmed. “Except for the ones installed last month as part of our new safety initiative. The ones Teacher Ross conveniently forgot about.”
“That’s what friends do,” I replied.
As we loaded the pot with thinly sliced beef, mushrooms, and noodles, I noticed Erin still seemed hesitant around me.
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213 Chapter 213- Whispers of Demise and a Vicious Takeover
“Erin,” I said gently, “is something bothering you?”
The man flinched at my voice. “In–in his office, sir.”
“I don’t think so.” The sharp voice cut through the tension like a knife.
She fidgeted with her chopsticks. “Are you and my brother really friends?”
“I also heard the entire conversation that just took place,” the superintendent interrupted. “Your willingness to expel a victim of bullying to protect your wife’s son is inexcusable.”
“But you might be,” I continued, stepping into the room. “Unless you explain to me exactly who the hell you are and what you’re doing in my factory”
The superintendent didn’t hesitate. “Effective immediately, Headmaster Gordon and Teacher Ross are relieved of their positions. As for Jordan Langley, he will be suspended pending a full disciplinary review.”
“Boss?” one whispered, disbelief written across his face. “You’re alive?”
“That was before,” he muttered.
A loud slap echoed, followed by a pained grunt.
After dropping Erin back at school for her afternoon art club, Eamon and I returned to our hotel. I spread the Thornton family files across the desk while Eamon made coffee.
Eamon pulled Erin closer as the reality of what had just happened sank in.
As we pulled into Havenwood City limits, the familiar skyline came into view. It hadn’t been long since I’d left, but it felt like returning from a different world.
Teacher Ross’s smug expression crumbled.
Erin looked up with wide eyes. “I can stay at my school?”
214 Chapter 214 – The Protector’s Return: Rescuing an Ally, Targeting a Tyra
