Chapter 2243

Felix swallowed hard but still didn’t dare tell Miranda the truth.

“Mom, I really just slipped. It had nothing to do with anyone else.”

There was no way he’d let Jonathan or Elliot look down on him—especially not in front of the girls.

If he needed his mom to step in, he’d just look like a spineless mama’s boy.

Seeing he wouldn’t say anything more, Miranda sighed and let it go.

“Be more careful next time, okay?”

“Got it,” Felix replied quickly, nodding.

Only then did Miranda take him and leave the school gate.

But as he walked away, Felix couldn’t help shooting Jonathan and Elliot a couple of lingering glances.

Just then, Cecilia arrived and happened to see Miranda and Felix leaving.

She hurried over. “Jon, Elliot, are you two okay?”

She was worried Miranda might’ve caused trouble for them.

The twins shook their heads in unison. “We’re fine.”

Only then did Cecilia finally relax.

Yulissa approached with a bright, eager smile. “Ms. Cecilia, long time no see. Picking up the kids too?”

Cecilia responded with nothing more than a polite nod. “Mm.”

“Why don’t we walk home together? Looks like we’re heading the same way,” Yulissa suggested, clearly trying to get closer to her.

Cecilia’s answer was cool and direct. “You’re mistaken—we’re going in the opposite direction.”

With that, she bent slightly toward the boys.

“Let’s go home.”

“Okay.”

She led them away without another glance.

Watching her leave, Yulissa waited until Sophie was out of earshot before muttering, “Isn’t your aunt supposed to be close to Cecilia? So cold and distant. And your Aunt Vivian’s no better.”

“She married into the Sinclair family, yet won’t lift a finger to help her own relatives.”

Dante pressed a hand to his forehead, a headache already forming from his mother’s complaints.

Why did everything have to depend on others? Why couldn’t they just work harder themselves?

He shook his head, voice tight. “Mom, please stop. I don’t want to hear this.”

Yulissa grabbed his arm and yanked him forward. “You ungrateful child!”

Dragged along, Dante lowered his gaze to the ground, sadness pooling in his eyes.

He wished his mother would protect him the way Jonathan and Elliot’s mother protected them.

Even being half as protective as Felix’s mom would’ve been enough.

Meanwhile, across the parking lot, Felix climbed into the car with Miranda.

She brushed the dust off his clothes—then suddenly froze.

A clear sneaker print stood out on the seat of his pants.

Her hand stopped midair.

“Felix,” she said slowly, her eyes narrowing, “are you lying to me?”

Felix blinked, feigning confusion. “Mom, I’m not.”

Miranda pointed sharply at the mark. “You said no one bullied you. Then how do you explain that?”

Cornered, Felix hesitated before muttering, “Jon… kicked me.”

“What?” Miranda’s temper flared instantly. “That unwanted child dared to kick you—and you still tried to cover for him? What were you thinking?”

Felix shrank back under her anger.

“I-it was Jon,” he stammered. “He threatened me. Said I couldn’t tell the truth.”

Miranda clenched her fists, fury rising.

“That brat has gone too far—hitting you and then threatening you?”

“Mom, please help me,” Felix said, tears welling in his eyes.

But behind that fear, a flicker of satisfaction surfaced.

With his mother stepping in, Jonathan and Elliot were finally going to pay.