Chapter 15
+25 RONUS
The children’s speeches concluded, and Bambi unsurprisingly took first place for flawlessly reciting her presentation from memory
The principal of the kindergarten personally awarded Bambi a star. Meanwhile, Beau stood in the audience, watching as children on stage received their accolades
the
For the first time in his life, he left an event empty–handed–not only without a prize but also as the subject of ridicule
Tears welled in Beau’s eyes as he searched for Elara in the crowd.
“My darling Ethel approached and scooped Beau into her arms.
“Grandma‘” Beau sobbed aloud.
Ethel soothed him in a soft voice, “Don’t cry, my darling. You’ll always be number one to Grandma!”
Beau replied while sniffling, “But Bambi got a star… Grandma, please tell Mommy to come back so she can do my homework! If not, I’ll leave with Mommy too!”
He knew well how much his grandmother doted on him, and his threat was sure to be effective.
Ethel’s tone immediately turned stem. If you leave, you’ll lose your chance to be the school’s All–Around Star!”
She dabbed at Beau’s tear–streaked face with a tissue. Since starting preschool, Beau had received the school’s highest honor
All–Around Star–every semester.
Although Bambi’s achievements rivaled his, she had never earned the All–Around Star award. It remained exclusively Beau’s title each term.
Ethel reminded him, “It’s because you’re the heir of the Fisher family that you have the privilege of being named All–Around Star Are you sure you want to follow your heartless mother and leave the Fisher family?”
Beau pursed his lips and threw himself back into Ethel’s embrace. He convinced himself that the school’s highest honor would still belong to him even without his mother’s help
Bambi descended from the stage and walked up to Niamh. She held her chin high in defiance as she demanded, “Apologize to
mer
Niamh chuckled dismissively and scolded her instead, “Girls who are petty and hold grudges aren’t cute at all!
Mimicking a tone she had likely picked up from an adult, Bambi retorted, “Aunt Niamh, can you be a bit more straightforward, like a proper adult?”
Niamh’s expression froze, and a flicker of unease flashed across her face. “Bambi, where did you learn to be so sharp tongued?”
Bambi lifted her handcrafted tower with care and declared firmly, “Apologize to the Celestial Crane Tower!”
Feigning confidence, Niamh raised an eyebrow “And if I don’t? What can you do about it?
Bambi’s almond–shaped eyes narrowed mischievously “If you refuse to keep your word, then allow me to martial arts I picked upr
w me to show you a bit of
With that, Bambi kicked Niamh in the shin Caught off guard, Niamh toppled over, and she landed hard on the ground with a loud yelp
The commotion drew the attention of other parents in the auditonum
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Niamh lay sprawled on the floor while wailing in pain, and her tears threatened to spill as the dull ache coursed through her
“Harvey!” she shrieked “Harvey, my leg hurts!”
Bambi watched as her father strode over.
Harvey helped Niamh to her feet, and he asked in concern, “Which leg is hurt?”
Tears clung to the comers of Niamh’s eyes, and her face had turned pale. She pointed to her right leg
Harvey extended a hand toward her, but before he even touched her calf, Niamh let out a piercing scream. “My calf must be
broken!”
“Bambi, how could you hurt Niamh?” Beau charged at Bambi like a little cannonball and shoved her hard.
Nonetheless, Bambi’s sturdy stance didn’t falter, and Beau’s full–force push failed to move her.
“How dare you hurt Niamh Beau cried out in frustration and stomped on her tower, destroying it
Bambi froze in shock, watching as the tower crumbled under Beau’s feet. Something inside her shattered along with it.
“That’s the tower Mommy spent so much time making!” Bambi’s eyes reddened with anger as she said this. She rushed forward and pushed Beau on the shoulder.
Caught off balance, Beau stumbled backward into Ethel’s arms.
“Oh no, my darling” Ethel quickly cradled him, and Beau buried his face in his grandmother’s embrace
