All Chapters of KICKED LIKE A DOG, RETURNED LIKE A HIDDEN HEIR: Chapter 61
- Chapter 70
77 chapters
Pay back
Chapter 60 The sun dipped low over the city, casting an amber glow on the streets as students streamed out of the school gates. Aria walked briskly, her jaw tight, fury burning inside her chest. Every step she took back toward the modest Morello home deepened her resolve.She couldn’t let this go. She couldn’t stay silent while Alexander was humiliated in front of the entire class. She replayed the image in her mind: Selena, standing there, calling him pathetic, pretending to despise him, and the others laughing as if Alexander was nothing.By the time she reached the Morello house, her hands were shaking. She knocked urgently.The door opened, and Mrs. Morello, radiant despite her simple dress, smiled warmly. “Aria, dear, what brings you here so late?”Aria’s eyes immediately watered with anger. “Mrs. Morello… I can’t stay quiet anymore. I need to tell you what happened today.”The smile faded from Mrs. Morello’s face. Her expression sharpened, and she led Aria inside. “Come in, chi
The Teacher’s Fall
Chapter 61 Morning sunlight spilled across the school courtyard, but the atmosphere was far from calm. From the moment students stepped onto campus, whispers began to spread like wildfire. Something had happened—something no one had expected.“Did you hear? One of the teachers got dismissed overnight!”“What? Dismissed? Which one?”“The strict one… the one who punished Alexander yesterday.”Gasps and shocked murmurs followed. Crowds of students rushed toward the notice board, where an official letter was pinned. The seal of the school dean gleamed boldly at the top, and every line beneath it carried weight:Teacher Evelyn Martin has been dismissed effective immediately for gross misconduct and corruption.The letter went on to explain that Evelyn had accepted bribes from wealthy parents, altering grades, turning a blind eye to cheating, and offering favoritism in competitions. At the bottom, it read in bold: Her behavior does not reflect the values of our institution.The hallway eru
The Poison of Rumors
Chapter 62The morning sun hadn’t fully risen when the gates of the academy were already alive with an unusual energy. Mondays were usually slow, filled with groggy students dragging themselves into class. But today, the air buzzed with whispers.Clusters of students huddled together in corners, their voices low but urgent, their eyes darting around as though they were sharing forbidden secrets. The story spread quickly, weaving its way through the courtyard, up the staircases, and into the classrooms like a poison no one could contain.“Did you hear? Alexander’s mother… with the dean!”“No way. That’s disgusting.”“It explains why Ms. Martin was dismissed so suddenly.”“So Alexander’s reputation isn’t his own at all—his mother earned it for him.”Every gasp, every shocked whisper added fuel to the fire. And at the center of it all stood Paxton.Leaning casually against the railing of the staircase, he played the role of informant with perfect ease, his smug smile hidden beneath a mas
Rumours
Chapter 63 The Morello residence was quiet when Alexander returned home that evening, but his silence was heavier than the quiet walls. He dropped his school bag on the sofa and sat down, his expression dark, the weight of the day pressing down on him like a storm cloud.Mrs. Morello, who had just returned from the kitchen with a cup of tea, immediately noticed her son’s troubled look. She set the cup down and walked toward him, her eyes filled with concern.“Alexander,” she said softly, sitting beside him, “what’s wrong? You look like the world has collapsed on your shoulders.”Alexander clenched his fists, struggling to control his anger. “Mother… there’s a rumor spreading in school.”Mrs. Morello’s brows furrowed. “What kind of rumor?”He hesitated, his jaw tightening before the words finally slipped out. “They’re saying you and the dean are… having an affair. That’s why he sided with me and fired Ms. Martin. Paxton spread it everywhere, and now everyone believes it.”For a moment
The Party Trap
Chapter 64 The night air carried a strange tension as Alexander adjusted the collar of his plain shirt in front of the mirror. He didn’t own expensive jackets, gold watches, or designer shoes like most of his classmates flaunted. His wardrobe was simple, practical—clothes that matched his life.Aria, however, was already waiting by the door. She looked stunning in a pale blue dress that shimmered softly beneath the hallway light. Her hair was neatly styled, and a light perfume lingered as she turned to him with a frown.“Are you sure you want to do this?” she asked, crossing her arms. “I still think Tommy’s up to something.”Alexander gave a tired smile. “I don’t trust him either, Aria. But if someone wants to extend a hand, I should at least try to take it. There’s no harm in giving him a chance… right?”Aria arched a brow, unconvinced. “That’s exactly the kind of harm I’m worried about. He’s been Paxton’s shadow for months. Why would he suddenly switch sides?”“Because maybe he’s t
Pathetic loser
Chapter 62 “I knew it,” Alexander said quietly, his tone carrying a weight that silenced even Aria for a moment. “You haven’t changed at all.”Tommy’s grin widened, his voice rising enough for everyone to hear. “Changed? Why would I change for someone like you? Did you really think I invited you here because I wanted to be your friend?”Gasps and chuckles rippled through the crowd. A few students leaned closer, hungry for drama.“I brought you here,” Tommy continued, tilting his head arrogantly, “so you’d finally understand your place. You don’t belong here, Alexander. You never did. Tonight, I just wanted to make sure you remembered that.”The room erupted in laughter, some clapping in mock applause, others chanting Tommy’s name. The cruelty was loud, echoing through the grand hall like a celebration of humiliation.Aria stepped closer to Alexander, her fingers brushing his sleeve. “Let’s go,” she whispered urgently. “Don’t give them the satisfaction.”But Alexander didn’t move. His
Whispers of the Parents’ Meeting
Chapter 66The morning air was crisp, tinged with the soft fragrance of blooming jasmine that floated through the wide courtyard of the academy. The school, which was always buzzing with chatter, seemed unusually quiet on this day. Perhaps it was because everyone—teachers, students, and parents alike—was preparing for the long-awaited parents’ meeting that would pave the way for the upcoming gala.It was a day meant for the display of wealth, influence, and connections. Parents often treated the gathering less like a school event and more like a runway, a place to parade designer gowns, rare jewelry, and expensive cars. It was here that invisible hierarchies were confirmed and cemented, and those who did not belong to the higher circles were reminded of their place.For years, Mrs. Morrelo had avoided this meeting. She had no desire to watch her son be treated like a stain among pearls, and she had little patience for the arrogance of wealthy families who considered kindness a weaknes
The bait
Chapter The bait was obvious. They wanted her to falter, to admit she had nothing to offer compared to their lavish donations.Mrs. Morrelo’s lips curved slightly.“I plan to contribute,” she said softly, “in ways that will not only benefit the school, but remind us all what this gala is truly about: providing opportunities for growth, education, and community.”She reached into her bag, pulling out a slim folder. The secretary, sensing the weight of the moment, rushed forward to hand it to the committee at the front. Inside was a list—cleanly typed, precisely outlined—of donations.Not a single extravagant chandelier or golden archway, but state-of-the-art learning equipment, library expansions, scholarships for underprivileged students, and a generous fund for the arts and sciences programs.When the list was read aloud, gasps filled the hall.“This… this is more than half of what the gala needs covered,” one parent muttered, eyes wide.“She’s donating this much?” another whispered
The most brilliant
Chapter 69The silence that followed Mrs. Morrelo’s warning was thick enough to suffocate. Every parent in the room felt the weight of her words, the promise of something dangerous behind them. Mrs. Vega, however, refused to back down. She leaned back in her chair with feigned confidence, drumming her manicured nails against the armrest.“Empty threats,” she said coldly, her lips curling. “That’s all you have, Mrs. Morrelo. Words. No one here believes you.”“I wouldn’t be so sure,” another voice cut in slyly—Mrs. Donato, who had been sitting quietly but watching like a hawk. She leaned toward Mrs. Vega, her painted lips close to her ear, though loud enough for the room to hear. “I told you from the beginning—she doesn’t look like an ordinary person. The way she dresses, the way she carries herself—it doesn’t quite match the image of a beggar’s mother, does it?”Her words struck like a knife, and immediately whispers rose among the other parents. Some leaned forward, intrigued.“Exactl
The school gala
Chapter 70The rest of the meeting continued on paper cultural day plans, library discussions—but no one was truly listening. Their minds were elsewhere, replaying every word exchanged between the two women.When the meeting was adjourned, the parents filed out in groups. Some immediately approached Mrs. Morrelo, eager to introduce themselves.“Mrs. Morrelo, it’s a pleasure finally meeting you.”“You must allow us to exchange numbers—I’d love to connect.”“Perhaps our children could study together sometime.”They smiled warmly, some out of genuine admiration, others because they saw an opportunity to align themselves with someone who clearly had influence.Mrs. Morrelo accepted their greetings graciously, though her sharp eyes noticed the mixture of motives. She had been in rooms like this before—rooms filled with people who hid their envy behind forced smiles.Meanwhile, outside the meeting hall, Mrs. Vega and Mrs. Donato lingered near the staircase, their heads bent close together.