Chapter 68

Julia didn't press the headmaster further. Upon leaving his office, she went to collect Joseph and Stephen from their teacher.

The teacher noticed Julia's downcast expression but didn't comment, only saying a somewhat reluctant goodbye to the boys.

Joseph and Stephen, unaware of what had transpired, waved enthusiastically to their teacher. "Bye, teacher!"

"Goodbye, boys..."

Barely containing her fury, Julia drove the boys home, unable to swallow the bitter pill of injustice.

Julia said, "Can you two stay home for a bit until your godmother returns? I have some unfinished business to attend to."

The boys nodded without questioning.

Caroline, who had been busy with work lately, had just returned when she noticed Julia hurriedly preparing to leave.

Caroline called out, "Julia, where are you rushing off to?"

"Something I need to handle," Julia replied through gritted teeth.

After years of friendship, Caroline immediately sensed something was wrong.

"Alright, go handle your business. I'll watch over Joseph and Stephen."

"Thanks, I appreciate it."

Julia drove straight to the Hearst Mansion, parking with fierce determination before storming inside.

The housekeeper, initially pleased to see Julia, greeted her with a smile. "You've returned!" Her smile faded quickly upon noticing Julia's thunderous expression.

Julia's brow furrowed sharply. "Where's Henry? I need to speak with him."

"He's upstairs..."

More than an hour had passed since school dismissal. Henry must have already picked up Tiffany and returned home.

The housekeeper, not daring to ask questions, escorted Julia upstairs.

Henry, unwilling to let Tiffany out of his sight, had picked her up early. The little girl clung tightly to him, as though afraid he might hand her over to "that bad woman Vivian" again.

Tiffany always displayed this sensitivity whenever she reunited with Henry after being apart. As her father, Henry understood her little quirks all too well.

She absolutely loathed being with Vivian.

At that moment, Tiffany sat on Henry's lap, watching intently as he worked on his laptop. Henry indulged her, working with her in his arms.

When Julia arrived, the sight of such affection struck her as painfully ironic. She couldn't suppress a bitter scoff.

As a parent, he knew how to cherish his daughter, but did he ever consider how she felt when he expelled Joseph and Stephen?

Sharp-eyed Tiffany spotted Julia at the doorway. Her eyes lit up as she pointed excitedly.

Henry, noticing Tiffany's excitement, followed her gaze. The next moment, Tiffany jumped off his lap and ran to Julia, tugging affectionately at her sleeve, silently asking to be held.

Julia's heart softened at Tiffany's attachment to her. She gently stroked the child's head. "Tiffany, can I hold you in a bit? I need to speak with your daddy first. Would you play with your nanny for a while?"

Tiffany, who adored Julia's gentle tone, nodded obediently and went to find her nanny, clutching her doll.

The nanny carried Tiffany downstairs, leaving the second floor entirely to Henry and Julia.

Henry paused his work and looked up at Julia. "What brings you here?" His expression remained cool and detached.

Julia's pent-up anger finally erupted. "Henry! You've gone too far, and I'm deeply disappointed. If you have issues with me, direct them at me, not my children! What have Joseph and Stephen ever done to you? If we had mistreated Tiffany, I'd understand your reaction, but look how attached she is to them—to all of us! Your tactics are truly disappointing."

Julia was seething, her eyes brimming with tears she refused to shed in front of him.

Henry looked genuinely confused. "Could you explain what exactly you're accusing me of?"

Seeing his seemingly genuine bewilderment, Julia's rage subsided slightly. Henry's expression didn't appear to be an act.

"You really don't know?" Julia asked.

She immediately regretted asking. The preschool was Hearst Family property, and the headmaster had been clearly uncomfortable. Who else but Henry could have ordered the expulsion?

Her determination to confront him strengthened.

It must have been him.

"How amusing, Henry. You're putting on quite a performance," she said sarcastically. "Who else has the authority to expel my children? You did this, and now you're pretending ignorance?"

Henry paused, momentarily stunned.

Expelled?

Hadn't he already ordered to reverse that decision?

Had the headmaster not received his instructions?

"I did speak to the headmaster about this matter, but..." he began.

Julia's anger erupted at his admission. "Henry! You've gone too far! Whatever unpleasantness happened between us in the past was my doing. Direct your vengeance at me, not my innocent children! Why would you treat them this way?"

She clenched her fists, trying to steady her voice. "Yes, I behaved shamefully years ago—young and foolish, drugging and violating you. Punish me however you wish, but please, spare my children."

Julia's eyes reddened as she met his gaze, her vulnerability evident.

The preschool had been impressed with Joseph and Stephen's behavior and hadn't given her any trouble. The headmaster was right—with her qualifications and the boys' credentials, finding another preschool shouldn't be difficult...

But only if Henry didn't interfere.

In Neoville, the Hearst Family held a staggering seventy percent of the wealth. If they didn't want someone in Neoville, that person couldn't stay.

For all her capabilities, what could she do?

Leave her research position? Leave Neoville entirely?

Reflecting on their recent interactions—while not particularly warm—hadn't they been at least civil to one another?