C08
The leader of the group barked an order, “Military control! Seal off the surrounding area!”
Jasmine’s father stood frozen in place, completely baffled. “No, I was just saying… it’s not that big a deal, is it?” He stared wide–eyed at Jasmine. “What kind of people did you offend? What’s going on?”
Jasmine was equally clueless but maintained a confident demeanor. “She’s just an orphan. How could she possibly have such a powerful background? Don’t worry, Dad. It’s probably just a coincidence.”
Before long, the dean and the principal were summoned. They stood there like frightened chicks, not knowing what was happening.
Jasmine’s father, still confident, tried to reassure them. “Relax, this has nothing to do with Jasmine. It’s probably just an inspection or something.”
They breathed a sigh of relief, but as the military assembled, several soldiers marched forward in perfect formation toward Grandpa Miles. They stopped and saluted him sharply. “Commander–in–Chief, all troops have
arrived!” one of them announced.
Then they turned to me, saluting with strong, resounding voices. “We are comrades of Yelena’s father.”
“We are Yelena’s brother’s colleagues.”
A grandfather in a uniform covered in medals walked through the crowd, his presence as imposing as a towering statue. “Yelena’s grandfather was my colleague and a national hero,” he said solemnly.
Grandpa Miles took my hand, his sharp gaze cutting across Jasmine like a blade. “And now, it’s time for us to seek justice for the hero’s orphan.”
Jasmine was dumbfounded and collapsed to the ground. “That’s impossible… I didn’t know.”
Even the dim–witted counselor finally understood. Cynthia knelt on the ground, shaking her head repeatedly. “Yelena, it’s all a misunderstanding! It’s my fault for being narrow–minded. Please don’t hold it against me! If I had known you were a hero’s descendant, I would never have treated you that way!”
Grandpa Miles stepped forward, summoning all his strength to slap Cynthia across the face. “You said Yelena didn’t have a council sponsor, so you refused to let her join the council. Right?”
Cynthia was stunned by the slap, clutching her face as she struggled to process what just happened.
Several men behind him stepped forward, surrounding the counselor like vengeful ghosts, shouting. “I am the regiment commander of the Southwest Military District, with 20 years of the council’s membership. Am I qualified to
sponsor her?”
8:51 AM & D
Be Your Pye
“I am the captain of the provincial anti–drug task force, with 35 years of the council’s membership. Am I qualified to sponsor her?”
“I am the commander of the war zone, with 42 years of the council’s membership. Am I qualified to sponsor her?” Their voices boomed like thunder, leaving Cynthia trembling in terror. She scrambled backward, tears streaming down her face. “Yes, yes, you’re qualified! I was the one who got blind.”
Realizing the gravity of her mistake, she threw herself at my feet, clutching my leg and sobbing uncontrollably. “I was wrong! I was so, so wrong!”
A young guard kicked her away with a sneer. “This woman was asking the Commander–in–Chief for a gold bracelet just a moment ago,” he said coldly.
The dean, Carl Chapman, stumbled and nearly passed out.
Grandpa Miles waved his hand, looking extremely impatient. “Investigate her for corruption and bribery, Punish her severely.”
Upon hearing this, Cynthia’s eyes rolled back and she fainted.
Carl’s legs had been shaking uncontrollably just moments before and he locked eyes with Grandpa Miles. The older man’s glare was like a knife and he felt he was about to be skinned alive. “This disgrace, he harassed students and brought shame to the teaching profession.”
He slowly turned his head, asking the still–shocked police officers nearby, “How should this be handled?” The officer flinched, quickly straightened up and responded with the utmost respect. “He’ll be detained for investigation. If we uncover any history of harassment toward other students, he will face criminal charges.”
