Second Chances

Chapter 45 

“Finel” Kate snapped, her voice dripping with malice. “Just you wait! A zero in this school means a call to the parents. I know you dread dealing with your family the most.” 

Emma was taken aback by Kate’s audacity to use such a threat over a mere concert ticket. The thought of her parents getting involved did unsettle her. She was keen on keeping her relationship with Liam under wraps a bit longer. 

Emma turned to leave when her phone buzzed with a call from an unknown number. She answered cautiously, “Hello?” 

“Emma, are you at school right now?” a man asked. 

“Uncle Sean, is that you?” Emma recognized the voice as her third uncle’s, recalling the letter from Sean. 

“I was supposed to attend an event at your school tonight, but I’ve canceled it to come see you instead!” Sean said. 

Emma, already stressed about Kate’s threat, responded, “That sounds great, Uncle Sean, but I’m in a bit of a situation here… 

After Emma ended the call, Kate’s curiosity got the better of her. “Who was that on the phone?” 

With a shrug, Emma retorted, “You were eager to involve my family, right? Well, one of them is already here. Let’s head to the administration 

office!” 

“Your family?” Kate was confused. She always thought of Emma’s father, Mateo, as distant and uncaring, especially now with the Wilson family’s financial troubles. His presence would likely be more embarrassing than helpful 

“Fine, keep your ticket.” Kate sneered. “But remember, you defied your teacher and scored zero–don’t expect me to show you mercy when 

you get expelled.” 

Emma ignored Kate’s threats and walked confidently toward the administration office. 

Inside the administration office, various staff members of Vark College were gathered as Kate began to dramatically portray Emma’s supposed misconduct and previous altercations with Ruby. The administration was deep in discussion about how to proceed. 

“The school policy is clear,” the dean of students said, his tone serious. “A student who scores zero on a major assessment should be suspended for a month. However, Emma has consistently shown excellent academic performance. It’s puzzling why she would receive a zero solely in your art class.” 

Kate was confident. “This was my first time teaching them. I asked Emma to paint in class, but she didn’t even show up. And take a look at her written assignment–it’s clearly beyond her skill level. Our entire art department agrees that it’s likely plagiarized or ghostwritten!” 

Accusations of academic dishonesty were severe, carrying potential repercussions for both the student’s integrity and the college’s 

reputation. 

The dean adjusted his glasses. “Emma, can you respond to these allegations?” 

Emma, lounging back in her chair with her usual defiant air, replied, “I don’t need to explain myself, It’s simple–today, if Kate is not leaving. then I will.” 

The room fell into an uneasy silence. Kate,/backed by the influential Hall family, was not to be trifled with. No one dared cross the Hall family, and technically, Kate hadn’t broken any school rules to warrant expulsion. 

Seeing Emma remain silent, Kate smirked. “I didn’t come to Vark College on a whim. I’m not going anywhere–so maybe you should leave 

right now.” 

Mon, 8 

Kate was confident, especially knowing Emma wouldn’t likely call on Liam for help. 

But just then, a confident voice interrupted from the doorway. “Is that so?” 

Heads turned toward the entrance. A man stood there, imposing at nearly 6’3“, dressed in white sportswear accented with flashy silver jewelry. His presence was charming. Even Emma, usually unfazed by drama, was taken aback by the sudden shift in the room’s atmosphere. 

“Emma,” said Sean as he strolled in, flanked by bodyguards and agents, his entrance grand and domineering. 

“Uncle Sean,” Emma greeted him in a soft voice. 

Sean removed his sunglasses, unveiling a strikingly handsome face. Emma, dressed in her school uniform of a mid–length pleated skirt and a white blouse, had her hair pulled back into a high ponytail, lending her an air of cool elegance. 

Sean’s eyes lit up with pride. “Well, there’s the Rivera family spirit, my little princess!” 

Kate, caught off guard, stared at the man talking with Emma. Her heart skipped a beat. ‘Isn’t this guy Starry?‘ she exclaimed inwardly. 

Despite usually carrying herself with poise, Kate felt suddenly plain and unremarkable in his presence. 

Sean’s 

gaze 

shifted to Kate. “And who might you be?” 

“She’s the art teacher I told you about,” Emma quickly filled him in, having already briefed Sean over the phone. 

Sean’s warm demeanor turned frosty. “So, you’re the ugly woman who unfairly targeted Emma and marked her 

Kate’s face flushed with embarrassment when Sean called her an “ugly woman, a comment that made the other teachers in the room clear their throats with embarrassment. “Mr. Rivera, we weren’t aware of your connection to Emma. We assure you that there was no intention to mistreat her. We just believe that the situation needs to be discussed openly.” 

Sean’s influence was well–known, and his ties to the powerful Rivera family made him a formidable figure. The room grew tense as the staff realized the gravity of challenging someone with Sean’s backing. 

With a sneer, Sean replied, “Don’t play coy with me. I know exactly who put this ugly woman up to this.” His gaze sharpened as he turned back to Kate. “Go tell Brad he’s nothing but Liam’s lapdog. If he messes with Emma again, he’ll regret it” 

Kate clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms as she defended herself, “I was only doing my job. Emma hasn’t been focusing on her studies. Is it wrong to expect a student to do her best?” 

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08:28 Mon, 8 Jul W 

right now.” 

Kate was confident, especially knowing Emma wouldn’t likely call on Liam for help. 

But just then, a confident voice interrupted from the doorway. “Is that so?” 

84 

Heads turned toward the entrance. A man stood there, imposing at nearly 6’3“, dressed in white sportswear accented with flashy silver jewelry. His presence was charming. Even Emma, usually unfazed by drama, was taken aback by the sudden shift in the room’s atmosphere. 

“Emma,” said Sean as he strolled in, flanked by bodyguards and agents, his entrance grand and domineering. 

“Uncle Sean,” Emma greeted him in a soft voice. 

Sean removed his sunglasses, unveiling a strikingly handsome face. Emma, dressed in her school uniform of a mid–length pleated skirt and at white blouse, had her hair pulled back into a high ponytail, lending her an air of cool elegance. 

Sean’s eyes lit up with pride. “Well, there’s the Rivera family spirit, my little princess!” ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

Kate, caught off guard, stared at the man talking with Emma. Her heart skipped a beat. Isn’t this guy Starry?” she exclaimed inwardly. 

Despite usually carrying herself with poise, Kate felt suddenly plain and unremarkable in his presence. 

Sean’s gaze shifted to Kate. “And who might you be?” 

“She’s the art teacher I told you about,” Emma quickly filled him in, having already briefed Sean over the phone. 

Sean’s warm demeanor turned frosty. “So, you’re the ugly woman who unfairly targeted Emma and marked her zero?” 

Kate’s face flushed with embarrassment when Sean called her an “ugly woman,” a comment that made the other teachers in the room clear their throats with embarrassment. “Mr. Rivera, we weren’t aware of your connection to Emma. We assure you that there was no intention to mistreat her. We just believe that the situation needs to be discussed openly.” 

Sean’s influence was well–known, and his ties to the powerful Rivera family made him a formidable figure. The room grew tense as the staff realized the gravity of challenging someone with Sean’s backing. 

With a sneer, Sean replied, “Don’t play coy with me. I know exactly who put this ugly woman up to this.” His gaze sharpened as he turned back to Kate. “Go tell Brad he’s nothing but Liam’s lapdog. If he messes with Emma again, he’ll regret it.” 

Kate clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms as she defended herself, “I was only doing my job, Emma hasn’t been focusing on her studies. Is it wrong to expect a student to do her best?” 

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