The principal was startled after hearing Deanna's words but was also relieved that she had been cautious and avoided a grave mistake.
"So, the person outside is an imposter. Should we call the police?" she asked carefully.
Deanna thought for a few seconds and then agreed, "Call the police."
She had already guessed who might be looking for Gregory and Chloe at the school. The only person shameless enough to claim to be the children's grandmother was Mia.
Mia likely wanted to use the children to force her to release Emily.
After hanging up the phone, the principal saw the security guard waiting nearby and instructed, "The person outside might harm Master Gregory and Miss Chloe. Miss Jones asked me to call the police. Try to stall her and don't let her leave."
"I understand," the security guard nodded and left the office.
When he returned to the school gate, he saw Mia looking around at the teaching building. His suspicion of her grew stronger.
At the same time, Mia noticed the security guard returning but didn't see Chloe or Gregory. She frowned and asked, "Where are my grandchildren?"
"I just reported it, but the teacher said it's class time. If you want to see the children, you'll have to wait until class is over," the security guard replied with a pre-prepared excuse.
Mia didn't doubt him and asked, "How long until class is over?"
The security guard glanced at his watch and answered, "Class started twenty minutes ago, so there are twenty minutes left. Why don't you wait in my security room?"
He suggested this because he was worried she might leave if she found the wait too long.
Mia, unaware of his intentions, thought about standing outside in high heels for twenty minutes and decided to follow him into the security room.
As soon as she entered, she heard the door close and lock behind her. When she turned around, she saw the security guard standing outside with a stern expression. "Stay put inside. The police will be here soon. You thought you could kidnap Master Gregory and Miss Chloe from Mercer Group? You'll be waiting for a life sentence!"
Kidnap?
Mia was stunned by his words but quickly realized she needed to leave before the police arrived. Otherwise, Deanna and Lance would know her purpose, and she wouldn't be able to save Emily or herself.
"Let me out! I'm not a kidnapper; I'm really their grandmother," she insisted, though she was only their step-grandmother.
Of course, Mia couldn't reveal that detail. She still hoped to use this excuse to get close to the children and exchange them for Emily.
The security guard scoffed, "Miss Jones said her mother passed away five years ago. Are you claiming to be their grandmother from the afterlife?"
Mia was speechless and didn't dare hide her identity any longer. She quickly explained, "I'm not their biological grandmother but their step-grandmother. I'm not a kidnapper. Let me out."
She anxiously pounded on the window bars.
The security guard ignored her and stood watch outside.
Soon, police sirens were heard at the school gate.
Seeing the police car pull up, Mia's face turned pale, knowing her plan had failed.
As she despaired, the security guard brought the police over and pointed at her, "This is the person who tried to trick me into bringing out the students. I've worked here for nearly five years and know most of the parents. This woman is a stranger, and Miss Jones said Master Gregory and Miss Chloe don't have a grandmother."
Only then did Mia realize what had happened. She glared at the security guard and gritted her teeth, "You contacted that bitch Deanna?"
"Miss Jones is our future missus at Mercer Group. Show some respect!" The security guard warned coldly upon hearing Mia insult Deanna.
But Mia ignored him and angrily declared, "It was Deanna who told you to call the police? I'll sue her for slander!"
"Ma'am, you're accused of attempting to kidnap children. Please come with us," one of the officers said sternly, leaving no room for refusal as they took her away.
Sitting in the police car, Mia finally calmed down a bit but began to panic internally. She had gone to the kindergarten without Garrett's knowledge. If he found out she failed to outsmart Deanna and ended up arrested, he wouldn't let her off easily.
However, without Garrett's help to prove her identity, she knew the police wouldn't release her easily.
In the end, she had no choice but to contact Garrett.
Meanwhile, what happened at the school didn't escape Lance's notice.
Upon learning that someone from the Jones family targeted his children, he was utterly furious.