The Prison Lord's Release

Chapter 9

The guards grabbed Marlene's arms and led her to the door. Ruby struggled as well, shouting insults at Ella.

"It's all your fault!" Ruby screamed. "You're the liar! You're the one who ruined everything!"

Ella flinched at the sudden shouting. Norbert moved closer and placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Don't be afraid," he told her gently. "She can't hurt you anymore."

Ruby and Marlene were finally escorted out of the room. Their angry voices faded down the hallway until the door closed behind them.

For several seconds, nobody spoke. Then Chloe pulled Ella into her arms, and tears rolled down her cheeks.

"We did it, Ella," she whispered. "You were innocent all along."

Ella hugged her tightly and began crying as well. She had spent the past two days being called a thief, and now the truth had finally been proven.

Norbert watched them with a small smile. Seeing his niece smile again was more satisfying than anything he had gained during his five years in Blackfall.

Preston then turned toward Frank. "You abused your position as chairman and accepted money to influence the result. You're fired, and you will never work for this school again!" he said coldly.

Frank lowered his head in shame. He knew he had no way to defend himself after the recording was shown.

"I also want the teachers who threatened Ella and refused to let her defend herself to be investigated," Norbert spoke again.

Hearing that, Holly's face turned pale. She had been standing among the teachers, hoping that Preston would overlook her role in the incident. When she realized that her job was in danger, she hurried toward Norbert and Ella.

"Mr. Norbert, please give me another chance!" she begged. "I know I made a mistake, but I can't afford to lose this job. Please, I'm begging you!"

She then turned toward Ella, forcing a nervous smile. "Ella, you know me. Please tell your uncle not to punish me. I won't treat you badly again. I promise!"

Ella looked at her without answering. Holly had shown no mercy when Ella had tried to explain that she was innocent. Now that the situation had changed, the teacher was begging the very child she had refused to hear.

Norbert's expression remained cold. "You had a chance to do the right thing when Ella was standing in front of you," he replied. "You chose to humiliate her instead. Now you want her to save your job?"

Holly's face turned pale. "Mr. Norbert, I was only following the school's rules," she pleaded.

"Rules?" Norbert asked. "You accused a child without checking the evidence and mocked her because she was an orphan. Is that what a teacher should do?"

Holly had no answer. Preston turned toward the secretary.

"Record the names of every teacher involved. They will be suspended while the school investigates their conduct, and we will report any serious violations to the education authorities."

The secretary began writing down the names. Holly's knees weakened, and she fainted from the shock.

Preston then faced the committee members. "And all of you failed to investigate the case properly. You ignored Ella's statement and accepted Ruby's story without checking the evidence. Your conduct will also be investigated, and those found responsible will be removed from the committee!"

Several members began protesting, but Preston refused to listen. After the room quieted down, Preston approached Norbert and bowed his head respectfully.

"Thank you for bringing this matter to light, Mr. Norbert. I'll make sure the school corrects its mistakes."

Norbert nodded. "Just make sure this never happens to another child."

As Preston prepared to leave the hearing room, he recalled the phone call he had received earlier that day. Before coming to Lindenhall School, he had been in his office when his personal phone rang. The caller's name had caught his attention.

It was Derrick Cale, a well-known businessman who owned a large magical communications network and several companies that supplied security systems to important buildings across the empire.

Preston answered the call at once. "Mr. Cale, what can I do for you?" he asked respectfully.

"I have a personal favor to ask," Derrick said. "A man named Norbert will be handling a matter at your school today. I want you to accompany him and make sure the matter is dealt with fairly."

Preston had been surprised.

"Norbert? May I ask what this matter concerns?"

"You don't need to take anyone's side," Derrick had replied. "Just make sure he receives a fair hearing and that the evidence is properly examined. I wouldn't be calling you personally if this weren't important."

The call ended shortly afterward. Preston stared at his phone for several seconds. Derrick was not an ordinary businessman. His companies controlled much of the city's magical communication network, and even powerful families relied on his services.

For such a man to make a personal call just to ensure Norbert received fair treatment, the man had to be worth taking seriously. That's why Preston came to the school himself instead of leaving the matter to the disciplinary committee.

Now, after witnessing Norbert expose Ruby's lies and Marlene's bribery, Preston understood the call wasn't made without reason.

'Who exactly is Norbert? The Turner family is unlucky to have offended him,' he wondered.

Preston had thought Norbert was simply a wealthy relative trying to protect his niece. Now he realized that Norbert's influence might extend far beyond anything he could see.