Filed to story: The Return Novel (Natalie & Bryce) PDF Read Online Free >>
Natalie looked at Liam worriedly. “Liam, are you all right? Does it hurt? Let me see.”
Liam immediately smiled broadly. “Mommy, I’m fine. It’s just a little cut. Don’t worry about me.”
Natalie relaxed a little at that, but Liam’s expression suddenly became pained, and he bent over, grimacing. Natalie checked Liam over, noticing a series of large and small bruises on his leg and blood on his knee. She looked at the teacher, Mrs. Calligan, who was standing close by and demanded, “How did Liam get injured? What the hell happened here?”
Some other parents had noticed what was going on and had come over to watch. Pam Barnard was among them, an amused look on her face. Natalie ignored them all and just glared at the teacher. No matter what, she must get justice for Liam. He was a part of her soul, and she wouldn’t let him be harmed.
Mrs. Calligan looked uncomfortable and said falteringly, “It appears that Liam tripped and fell down the stairs.” The teacher looked at the floor, avoiding eye contact.
Natalie’s eyes narrowed as she took in the teacher’s expression. Was she hiding something? She looked at Liam and said, “Liam, don’t be scared. Just tell me what happened.”
Liam nodded obediently and said, “Mommy, someone in my class pushed me. Him. Donnie.” Liam pointed at a child of his own age who was standing next to Pam.
Pam immediately shouted, “That’s a lie! My Donnie didn’t push anyone. Where’s the evidence?”
Natalie, angered, shouted back, “Why are you shouting at a child? Liam doesn’t lie.” Then she looked at Liam and said, “What else, Liam? Tell me.”
Liam continued, “Donnie came to make trouble. I knew that he wanted to cause trouble for you, so I ignored him. But he pushed me down. I’m not lying.” Liam hugged Natalie.
Some other children called out, backing up Liam’s account. “Right, I saw it. Donnie pushed Liam over.” “I saw it too. Donnie pushed him.”
Natalie felt vindicated as she looked at Liam, but Pam shouted, “Liam is talking nonsense! He’s clearly dishonest. I won’t let you frame my child. Liam hurt my boy. Look!” As she spoke, she held up Donnie’s hand, and everyone could see that there were red marks on his skin. “Do you see that?” Then, looking at Liam, she asked, “You hurt him first, and then you were afraid of being found out, so you said he pushed you. How do you dare tell such lies at your age?”
Pam looked at Natalie complacently, not realizing that the onlookers thought she seemed to be throwing a tantrum. Natalie said, “I think it’s clear what the truth is.” She glanced at Mrs. Calligan and said, “I think the school needs to make some kind of judgment about what happened here, right?”
Natalie looked around, noticing the surveillance cameras mounted on the hallway ceiling, and said, “How about we take a look at the footage from those cameras and see if they can tell us any more about what happened?” She gave the teacher a meaningful look.
Mrs. Calligan said awkwardly, “Actually, those cameras are just for show. They don’t actually operate, so they won’t help us here. There are no hard drives in the recording machines.” While saying this, she subconsciously fiddled with her handbag, shifting it from one hand to another. It looked heavy. These movements did not escape Natalie’s notice.
Natalie pointed at the teacher’s bag. “Mrs. Calligan, I like your bag. Can I take a look at it, please?”
The teacher’s face immediately turned pale. “No, there are my personal belongings in my bag. Private stuff.” She pretended to be calm, reminding herself that Mrs. Barnard was a powerful woman and that this mother of Liam’s was a comparatively insignificant person.
Natalie’s expression hardened as she said, “If that’s the case, then we’ll have to trouble the principal with this matter. If he’s unable to provide an acceptable answer, then I think I might need to lodge a legal complaint for assault.” Natalie could see that Mrs. Calligan was concealing something. In this society, money and power were everything, and Pam had both. This teacher was enthralled to Pam, Natalie was sure.
Mrs. Calligan waved her hand and said, “Oh, I don’t think there’ll be any need for any of that. This can be resolved amicably.”
Pam butted in, saying, “Natalie, get real here. Maybe Liam is just lying to you. You know how kids are. You’d really sue me in court based on a child’s made-up stories?” She snorted with derision.
Natalie replied calmly, “I raised Liam, and I can tell very well whether he’s lying or not.” Then she turned to Mrs. Calligan and said, “Please lead the way, Mrs. Calligan. Let’s go to the principal’s office.”
Mrs. Calligan tried to stall her, saying, “That actually might not be appropriate.”