Rise of The Abandoned Husband (Liam Knight) novel Chapter 212

212 Chapter 212 – Favoritism and Falsehoods: A Schoolyard Reckoning

“After you mocked a child about her dead parents,” I added coldly.

A flicker of uncertainty crossed her face for the first time. “I’m not sure the headmaster is available-”

“This is ridiculous,” Eamon snapped. “My sister is the victim here!”

“I told you to watch your mouth,” I said calmly.

I felt something cold and hard settle in my chest. The casual cruelty in her words was all too familiar.

“Watch your mouth,” I warned quietly.

Headmaster Gordon cleared his throat uncomfortably. “Regardless of what was said, physical violence is never acceptable on school grounds. As for the bullying allegations…”

I stood perfectly still, a cold fury building inside me. The corruption was so blatant, so shameless–the wife of the headmaster could do no wrong, and a defenseless child would pay the price.

“I don’t care if your husband is the emperor of China,” I replied coldly. “You don’t speak to children that way. Especially not about their deceased parents.”

“The school has security cameras,” I pointed out. “Check them.”

The system needed to address this properly.

Teacher Ross nodded slowly. “I’m afraid without evidence, there’s little I can do about these bullying claims. However,” her voice hardened, “physical assault against a parent on school grounds is grounds for immediate action. I’ll have to ask you all to come to the office.”

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. “So you’re saying the child who reported being bullied is the one in trouble?”

“Remember what we talked about?” I asked gently.

212 Chapter 212 – Favoritism and Falsehoods: A Schoolyard Reckoning

“I understand your frustration,” Headmaster Gordon said in a tone that suggested he understood nothing. “But without evidence-”

“I think,” he called out clearly, “the people who should get expelled are you guys”

That was it.

Without hesitation, I stepped forward and slapped Mrs. Langley across the face. The sound cracked through the morning air like a whip.

Eamon stepped forward, barely containing his anger. “My sister doesn’t lie.”

He sighed heavily. “Given the seriousness of the incident, I believe we need to remove the source of the conflict. Erin will be expelled, effective immediately.”

Mrs. Langley was practically foaming at the mouth now. “You’ll regret this! Guards! Security!”

Erin’s small hand gripped mine as we approached the school gate the next morning. Her eyes darted nervously around the playground, searching for Jordan.

Mrs. Langley nodded vigorously. “That’s right, dear. This man struck me without provocation!”

I kept my voice level. “We’re here to speak with the school administration about an ongoing bullying situation. Since we’re all present, perhaps we could address this together.”

“So what’s your solution?” I cut in.

“Those are serious allegations,” she said finally. “Do you have any proof of this bullying?”

“Because she was threatened,” I said, my patience wearing thin.

Erin’s small body began to shake with silent sobs.

“And what exactly are these ‘proper channels“?” Eamon demanded. “My sister was too

terrified to report anything because of threats from this boy!”

Teacher Ross’s expression didn’t change. “Sir, please lower your voice. There are children present.”

I’d seen enough. This farce had gone on long enough.

<

212 Chapter 212 – Favoritism and Falsehoods: A Schoolyard Reckoning

Conrad’s response was immediate. “Consider it done.”

“Let’s do this,” I said, guiding Erin forward.

Mrs. Langley’s face contorted with rage. “How dare you make up such lies about my son! Jordan is a model student!”

“Who exactly are you?” she asked suspiciously.

“You again?” she spat, pulling Jordan closer. “Haven’t you caused enough trouble?”

“Call Conrad Thornton,” I said, pulling out my phone. “Tell him to get Headmaster Gordon to the front gate immediately.”

Jordan smirked behind his mother’s arm, thinking himself protected.

“Do you know who I am?” Mrs. Langley shrieked, trembling with rage. “My husband is the headmaster of this school!”

“There he is,” Eamon muttered, nodding toward a woman marching through the gate with a sullen boy in tow–Jordan and his mother, Mrs. Langley.

“This woman’s son has been systematically bullying Erin,” I explained evenly. “Stealing her food, physical abuse, threats. When confronted, Mrs. Langley responded by insulting an orphaned child about her deceased parents.”

“Jordan takes my lunch every day,” she said, her voice small but clear. “He pushes me in the hallway when teachers aren’t looking. Yesterday he twisted my arm behind my back and said if I told anyone, he’d push me down the stairs again.”

Teacher Ross turned to us with a distinctly cooler expression. “What’s your side of the story?”

Erin looked terrified at first, her eyes flicking between me and Jordan. Then, drawing -strength from my nod, she straightened her shoulders.

Teacher Ross’s face remained impassive, her eyes flicking between me and Mrs. Langley. I could already see which way this was going to go.

Her hand flew to her reddening cheek, eyes wide with shock. “You–you hit me! You actually hit me!”

She ignored me, turning her venomous gaze on Erin. “Your parents probably killed

212 Chapter 212–Favoritism and Falsehoods: A Schoolyard Reckoning

themselves to get away from such a troublesome child.”

“I see,” he said finally, turning to face us all. “Teacher Ross has explained the situation. It seems we have a serious incident of physical assault against Mrs. Langley.”

When she’d revealed the full extent of Jordan’s bullying last night–stolen lunches, pushed down stairs, threatened with worse if she ever told–I’d seen a side of Eamon I hadn’t expected. His quiet fury mirrored my own, but we both knew confronting a child directly would solve nothing.

“Make him available.”

She nodded, her pigtails bouncing slightly. “Tell the truth. Don’t be afraid.”

“And I’ll do it again if you speak to this child that way.”

“Convenient,” Mrs. Langley sneered. “No proof whatsoever.”

“The decision is final,” Headmaster Gordon said firmly. “We cannot have parents being assaulted on school grounds, nor can we have students bringing outsiders to threaten other children.”

Ten minutes later, a portly man in an expensive suit hurried through the front doors, followed closely by Teacher Ross. His face was flushed, either from exertion or anxiety.

Teacher Ross looked smugly satisfied. “I’ll process the paperwork immediately,” she said, turning to Eamon. “You can collect Erin’s things from her classroom.”

Teacher Ross looked between us, her eyes widening as she recognized Mrs. Langley. “Mrs. Langley! Are you alright? Should I call the police?”

“That’s right,” I replied, already dialing. “And tell Headmaster Gordon that Liam Knight is waiting.”

The innocence of her question cut through me like a knife. Before I could answer, Teacher Ross spoke again.

Eamon’s face went white. “What? You can’t-‘

”

“Erin’s testimony-” Eamon began.

A woman in professional attire hurried toward us, her heels clicking against the pavement. “What’s happening here? I could hear shouting from my classroom.”

212 Chapter 212–Favoritism and Falsehoods: A Schoolyard Reckoning

“The school has made its decision. Erin Grenville is expelled for causing this

disruption.”

Teacher Ross’s lips thinned. “Our cameras are for external security, not monitoring students. And Erin has never filed a complaint about Jordan before.”

“Erin,” I interrupted, turning to the small girl beside me. “Tell Mrs. Langley what’s been happening.”

“Bullying?” Her voice rose sharply. “My Jordan would never-”

As the words left her mouth, a commotion erupted at the school entrance. A man in an impeccable suit came running out, his face set with determination.

“Mr. Knight?” Erin’s small voice broke through my thoughts. “Am I being punished because I told the truth?”

“That’s right.” I squeezed her hand reassuringly. “Your brother and I are right here with

you.”

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