A Powerful Figure
Hushed silence fell as these words were spoken.
The shocked Eliana turned to look at Silas, stunned by what had taken place.
When their eyes met, Silas gave her a mischievous little wink.His tiny face was filled with triumph.
Erica was just as shocked, but in her case, it came with a dose of horror.
"What… What did you just say? My child paid the money and applied to join the camp! Why are you
suddenly saying that she couldn’t join? Explain this instant!"
The principal didn’t seem to mind her raised voice.He began explaining in a relaxed manner, "Silas’s
family sponsored the summer camp activity in full.The Gormans also sponsored our kindergarten’s
teaching building and entertainment facilities.Since your child can’t get along with Silas, I appreciate it if
you can leave."
Erica stood rooted to the spot, transfixed with shock.Her eyes were wide open and her jaw slackened
as she tried to process the sudden tum of events.
Never did she imagine a child like Silas to be so powerful! However, she was unwilling to yield.
Gnashing her teeth, she argued, "So? Are you telling me that just because the Gormans happen to
sponsor the kindergarten, they’re free to do as they please? This is injustice! You are misusing your
power! I won’t stand for it!"
The surrounding parents watched the scene with growing displeasure.
The principal went out of his way to come out and deal with the problem, yet Erica remained hard-
headed and had even resorted to screaming.
One by one, they began voicing their dissatisfaction and banded together to criticize her.
"Hey, lady! Quit being so unreasonable! You’re just stalling the kids’ activities!"
"Tsk, tsk.How can such an uneducated woman be worthy to be a mother? I feel bad for her daughter."
"Hurry up! I need to go to work after I send my kid! Can you afford to waste everyone’s time? You’re
making it difficult for us!"
In less than a minute, Erica had become the unsavory target of the parents’ displeasure.
Scathing remarks came her way without stopping, turning her red and shaky from humiliation.
Despite all that, Erica was unwilling to embrace her defeat with grace.
Furious, she yanked her daughter’s arm roughly and stormed out of the place.
"All of you, just wait and see! You’ll pay for this! So what? My daughter doesn’t want to stay at this d**n
place, either!"
Poor little Ivy couldn’t keep up with her mother’s wide strides, especially with her small feet.
Several times she stumbled and fell, hurting herself in the process.
Erica didn’t even stop or blink at her daughter, and simply grabbed the fallen little girl back up.
There wasn’t a shred of tenderness in her actions, as if she was simply lifting something from her
pocket.
Erica kept on pulling Ivy’s arm, pressing her hand hard into Ivy’s tender skin.
Ivy tried to endure the pain, but she was just a small child.
In the end, Ivy held on to Erica’s leg and burst into sorrowful tears, begging piteously in a babyish
voice, "Mom, I don’t want to leave! I want to go to the summer camp with everyone!"
Ivy’s saddened outburst caused Erica’s temper to flare up once more.
Furious and humiliated, she snapped harshly at the crying Ivy, "Shut up, you stupid girl! Keep crying,
and I’ll abandon you!"
It was a terrible thing to say to a child.Ivy, hurt and frightened, ended up crying even more loudly.
"No, Mom! Please don’t! Don’t leave me! I promise I’ll be obedient…"
Erica clicked her tongue impatiently before picking Ivy up like a sack and leaving the place in haste.
Eliana watched their disappearing backs with an ugly frown.
Poor little Ivy.
To have a monster like Erica for a mother was truly a stroke of misfortune.
Still, nothing could be done about it.
Eliana turned to Silas with a smile and squatted next to him.
"Thank you so much for helping me solve a big problem, Silas."
Silas’s face reddened with pleasure from the praise.He pursed his lips defiantly and shook his head.
"You’re welcome!" he replied in a childish voice filled with pride.
Aileen suddenly broke free from Adrian’s grip and threw herself into Silas’s arms.
She giggled, saying, "I’ll reward you with a hug on Mommy’s behalf!"
Adrian frowned and quickly stretched out his hand to separate his sister from Silas.
"Guys and girls are different! Quit sticking to him all the time!"
Silas smiled shyly at the two of them and gently pulled away from Aileen.
Though he couldn’t receive her hug, he didn’t mind.
Instead, he simply patted Aileen’s head affectionately, the way an adult would treat a small child.
"Aileen, you can think of me like your brother too."
Silas was sensible and mature for a child.He could read the room and knew how to act.He was even
far more tactful than Adrian.
Eliana recalled that Aileen once told her that Silas’s parents were long gone.
A wave of pity washed over her.She took his little hand and held him in her arms, bringing him to her in
a gentle hug.
"Don’t take that awful woman’s words seriously, alright? If you have any problems, you can always
come to me."
Silas’s body stiffened at the touch.
However, he quickly relaxed in Eliana’s gentle arms and hugged her back, holding on tightly to her
shirt.
Such a soft, warm hug… It was just like how his mother used to hug him.
Without him realizing it, a teardrop rolled out of his eyes.It slid down his fair and tender cheek,
dampening Eliana’s shirt.
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