Upon hearing her words, Deanna's expression turned grim, emitting a powerful aura.
"Mrs. Harlan, if we must quibble, wasn't it your son who struck first and snatched things away? Your accusations seem rather unreasonable!" Her gaze sharp, she looked straight at the woman, neither humble nor overbearing.
In truth, Chloe and Gregory were acting in self-defense. Both Harlan and his mother seemed troublemakers. Gregory acted to protect his sister, and she didn't see anything wrong with that.
The aristocratic woman sneered, crossing her arms dramatically, "Hmph," her voice piercing Deanna's ears.
Chloe frowned, covering her ears. Gregory still glared back with anger.
She glanced at Ms. Roman, saying unreasonably, "Just because she says we struck first, does that make it true? My son wouldn't lie! Your child, lacking manners, is also deceitful."
With a disdainful glance at Chloe, she continued. Chloe immediately burst into tears, crying, "Mommy, I didn't lie!"
Her big watery eyes were filled with tears, looking very aggrieved.
Deanna frowned displeased, knowing her daughter wouldn't lie. She hugged her and reassured, "Don't be afraid, mommy believes you. It's not your fault."
Chloe sobbed in her embrace, and Deanna's heart ached. She looked sharp and confrontational towards the aristocratic woman.
Her expression darkened, exuding strong vigor as she proclaimed, "My son and daughter wouldn't lie."
Her words brimmed with trust towards Gregory and Chloe.
Gregory felt touched, looking at his mom. The aristocratic woman, upon hearing this, couldn't help but feel angry.
"So, are you not apologizing? Ms. Roman, please reason with her!" She said indignantly, hands on her waist, losing her aristocratic demeanor, resembling a shrew.
Ms. Roman, who had been silent, was suddenly addressed, her eyes showing complexity.
Deanna remained silent, also looking at Ms. Roman. The aristocratic woman was unreasonable, resorting to insults and distortion of facts.
Ms. Roman looked conflicted. She knew the aristocratic woman's husband held a prominent position. Crossing them wouldn't end well.
Glancing sideways, the threat in the aristocratic woman's eyes was evident.
Under her intimidating gaze, Ms. Roman weighed the pros and cons and chose her own interests. She persuaded Deanna, "Gregory's mom, why don't you just apologize? After all... I also saw it just now, Gregory was the one who struck first."
She gritted her teeth, speaking against her conscience.
Deanna raised an eyebrow at her words. She was observant and understood the underlying complexities.
Gregory immediately tried to defend himself, "You're lying! It was clearly-"
Before he could finish, Ms. Roman interrupted him, scolding loudly, "Gregory, as a student, your teacher usually finds you well-behaved. But today, you're acting differently! When you make a mistake, you must admit it!"
She looked stern, seemingly angry.
Listening to her, it sounded like Gregory struck first. Chloe, panicking, shook Deanna's arm, tears streaming down her face.
Gregory's eyes reddened instantly. He was furious. Had the teacher gone blind? They were the ones who suffered injustice, yet why was everyone turning a blind eye and siding with the wrongdoer?
Seeing this, Deanna's expression turned cold, a disdainful chuckle escaping her lips. She wondered how the teacher could so easily condemn others.
Crossing her arms, she said, "You say it was my son who struck first. I say it was Harlan. Since both sides insist on their claims, let's check the surveillance. This place is under surveillance, after all."
Surveillance doesn't lie; facts speak louder than words.
The aristocratic woman choked, unsure of what to say, glaring at Ms. Roman.
Ms. Roman's expression darkened, saying, "Miss Jones, stop stirring up trouble. The incident today was caused by your child's wrongdoing. Instead of apologizing, you're here defending them, aiding and abetting! If you continue like this, I'll inform the principal and have Gregory and Chloe expelled!"
She glared angrily at Deanna, even including Chloe, hoping to pressure Deanna.
Chloe stood frozen, and Gregory was instantly enraged, about to argue, "What does it have to do with my sister?"
Deanna remained silent. She wasn't one to be trifled with, staring back fearlessly.
Afraid to check the surveillance and relying on mere accusations, there had to be something fishy going on!
She sneered, mocking, "Afraid to check the surveillance? Are you guilty conscious? If that's the case, then let's call the police! If it turns out to be my children's fault, I'll apologize. But if not, I'll ensure justice is served!"
True to her words, she took out her phone and dialed the police.
The aristocratic woman was stunned, and Ms. Roman was also taken aback. She didn't expect Deanna to be so tough.
She felt a bit flustered. She knew Gregory wasn't the one who struck first. If it weren't for the favors she received from the aristocratic woman, she wouldn't have slandered Gregory.
Now, with the police involved, things would change.