Mrs. Vega’s heels clicked sharply against the polished floor as she moved closer to Mr. Langston, her voice dropping to a furious whisper. “What are you doing?” she hissed, her eyes darting around the room at the bewildered parents. “Why are you bowing to this woman?”Gasps rippled through the crowd again. The idea alone was scandalous — Mr. Langston, the man who rarely acknowledged anyone beneath his circle, bowing to Mrs. Morrelo? Impossible.Mr. Langston straightened slowly, his gaze cold and piercing as he swept it across the hall before resting it on Mrs. Vega. His voice was calm, but carried enough weight to silence the faint whispers. “If you truly knew who she is,” he said, every syllable deliberate, “you would all be on your knees this instant, begging forgiveness for your foolishness.”A stunned silence filled the room. Parents shifted uneasily in their seats, glancing at each other, trying to read the truth in his words.Mrs. Vega’s laugh was sharp and brittle. “What nonsen

Chapter 75The hall was trembling with voices, each parent whispering louder than the next, as if determined to outdo the others in cruelty. Their eyes were fixed on Mrs. Morrelo with suspicion, disdain, and even envy. Selena stood frozen, torn between her mother’s poison and Alexander’s desperate sincerity.Mr. Langston, who had been silently observing their stubbornness, finally sighed deeply, the weight of his authority pressing down on the room. His voice boomed across the gathering, cutting through the noise like a blade.“You doubt my word. You question her identity. Very well,” he said, reaching into his inner pocket with slow, deliberate movements. “Since my voice is not enough for you, let me show you something you cannot deny.”The parents leaned forward in unison, curiosity sparking in their eyes. Mrs. Vega folded her arms, her lips twitching in a mocking smile, while Mrs. Donatoes whispered something sharp in her ear, both of them laughing under their breaths.From his poc

Chapter 77The night air outside the gala was cooler than the suffocating tension that had filled the hall, but Mrs. Morrelo didn’t feel it. Each step she took was deliberate, heels clicking softly against the marble floor as she exited with her chin raised. She would not give them the satisfaction of seeing her falter.Behind her, however, the mocking laughter followed like poison-tipped arrows.“She really thought she fooled us with that ring.”“Look at the way she walked out — as if she’s royalty. What a joke.”“Maybe she should audition for a drama; she plays the victim so well.”Mrs. Vega’s shrill voice rose above the others, mimicking Mrs. Morrelo’s quiet dignity. She threw her scarf dramatically over her shoulder and strutted in circles, sending the room into another wave of laughter.Mrs. Donatoes smirked, adding fuel to the cruelty. “Careful, Vega. Don’t make it too realistic — you might actually convince someone she’s worth something.”The women laughed louder, their painted

Chapter 79: The last bell of the day echoed through the school halls, but the air outside was far from calm. The events of the past few days—the fight, the rumors, the gala scandal—still lingered over the students like heavy clouds refusing to move.Alexander stepped out of the classroom, his bag slung lazily over one shoulder. His face was calm, but anyone who looked closely could see the shadow behind his eyes—restraint barely holding back fire.“Alexander!”The familiar voice stopped him in his tracks. Selena was standing by her car, a sleek white convertible parked under the flowering trees. She waved at him, her hair glimmering in the afternoon sun, though her expression was troubled.He hesitated for a second before walking over.Selena opened the car door and leaned against it, her voice soft but rushed. “Can you drive home with me? There’s so much I need to talk about… especially what happened at the gala.”Aria, who had been walking just behind Alexander, let out a short, an

Chapter 81The conversation quieted again as they ate. The food was exquisite, but Alexander barely tasted it. His eyes kept drifting toward his father — this man who was both a stranger and yet somehow familiar.After a while, Mr. Morrelo put down his cutlery and leaned back. “You look like me, you know,” he said, a soft amusement in his tone. “But your mother’s eyes… those are hers entirely.”Mrs. Morrelo laughed lightly. “And his stubbornness — that’s all you.”Alexander smiled shyly. “I guess I got the best of both.”His father’s gaze softened. “You did.”For a while, the atmosphere warmed. They spoke of small things — Alexander’s favorite subjects, the cities his father had visited, the books Mrs. Morrelo loved. There was laughter, even a few jokes, and for the first time in a long time, Alexander felt something he hadn’t felt in years — belonging.Then, as dessert was served, Mr. Morrelo’s expression grew serious again.“There’s something we must discuss, Alexander,” he said qui