Skip to content
Novel Catalog
Chapter_13
Dorian’s voice echoed through the room, sharp and filled with fury. Vivienne, sensing the tension, quickly stepped inside after him, her eyes locking onto the principal who had just made the comment. The principal, an older man with a wrinkled face, flinched at the sudden outburst, his gaze shifting nervously.
“Mr. Ellington, I—” The principal began to stammer, clearly caught off guard by Dorian’s fiery entrance.
Vivienne, her demeanor cool but intense, stepped forward and placed a hand on her father’s shoulder, subtly calming him. “Dad,” she said softly, her voice laced with a quiet authority. “Let’s hear them out first. We’ll handle this.”
Her gaze flicked to the principal, who quickly straightened in his chair. “What exactly happened here?” Vivienne asked, her eyes narrowing slightly. Her voice was calm but carried the weight of someone used to being taken seriously.
The principal cleared his throat, looking somewhat relieved to have her take control of the situation. He gestured to a small boy sitting in the corner of the room, his face bruised and red. “This child—Thaddeus, I believe—got into an altercation with one of our other students. He hit him after a series of provocations, but we’re concerned about his behavior. We need to consider his suitability for the school.”
Vivienne’s eyes flicked to Thaddeus, who sat there quietly, his hands fidgeting nervously. Her gaze softened for a brief moment, before she turned back to the principal. “Is it typical for your school to judge a child’s worth based on a single moment of frustration?” she asked, her voice steady but laced with subtle disapproval.
The principal’s expression faltered under her gaze. “No, of course not,” he muttered. “But this is the second incident, and—”
Dorian, who had been pacing back and forth, interrupted with a sharp tone, “You think my son is a troublemaker because he stands up for himself? If you can’t see the bigger picture, maybe you’re the one who’s unfit to be in charge here.”
Vivienne’s calm demeanor never wavered. “Dad,” she said, keeping her tone measured, “we’ll handle this, but let’s not escalate things further.” She turned her attention back to the principal. “I would appreciate it if you could explain exactly how the situation escalated. Let’s focus on finding a solution.”
The principal, now thoroughly out of his depth, nodded quickly. He motioned for the other student involved in the altercation to be brought in. The boy was escorted in, his eyes avoiding everyone in the room. His bruises were less severe than Thaddeus’s, but it was clear he had been hurt.
Vivienne crossed her arms, her expression unreadable as she observed the two boys. After a long pause, she finally spoke. “Thaddeus has always been a quiet and reserved child, but clearly something pushed him too far. Was there any attempt to mediate before things escalated?”
The principal shifted uncomfortably. “There were attempts to talk, but both children refused to listen.”
“Of course,” Vivienne said with a slight nod. “Children can be stubborn, especially when they feel cornered.” She looked over at her brother, who was still standing by her side, his expression a mixture of shame and defiance. “Thaddeus,” she called gently, “can you tell me what happened?”
Thaddeus looked up, his eyes full of confusion and frustration. He opened his mouth but hesitated, unsure of how to explain. “They… they kept making fun of me, calling me names. I didn’t… I didn’t mean to hit him, but they… they pushed me.”
Vivienne’s gaze softened, and she placed a hand on his shoulder. “I understand. It’s hard to always stay calm when you’re hurt by others. But remember, you have to control your actions. That’s how we show strength.”
She turned to the principal, her voice now firmer. “I understand the need for discipline, but what exactly are you hoping to achieve by expelling a child who clearly needs support?”
The principal cleared his throat, finally realizing the weight of the situation. “I… I just think that maybe this school isn’t the best fit for him,” he said, his voice less confident now.
Vivienne stood tall, her voice unwavering. “Then you’re more than welcome to offer him the support he needs or we can find somewhere else that will. But I won’t stand for anyone questioning my brother’s character because of one mistake.”
There was a tense silence in the room, but Vivienne’s presence and calm demeanor made it clear she wasn’t backing down. Slowly, the principal nodded, understanding he had no real grounds for expulsion.
“We’ll work something out,” he said, finally.
Vivienne gave a sharp nod, signaling the conversation was over. “Good. Let’s ensure this doesn’t happen again. Thaddeus, I think it’s time we leave.”
Thaddeus stood up, still unsure of what to say, but grateful. “Thanks, Vivienne,” he murmured.
She smiled at him gently. “You’re welcome. Just remember, we don’t let others determine our worth, alright?”
With a final glance at the principal, Vivienne ushered her family out of the office. As they walked down the hall, Dorian pulled her aside, his voice softer now. “Vivienne, you handled that well.”
Vivienne gave him a quick smile. “Sometimes, the best way to get through to people is to show them that we’re not afraid to stand up for what’s right.”
As they left the school and got into the car, Cordelia sighed in relief. “I’m just glad it’s over.”
Vivienne sat quietly, her mind already shifting to the next challenge. The day wasn’t over yet, and she knew that the situation with Percival and the pendant was far from resolved. She would need to think carefully about her next move—especially if it meant protecting her family’s future.
