“She gave us these visitor cards as so-called staff benefits. Even our family members can’t come in without one. Here, you can borrow mine.”
Though uneasy, my worry for Lily outweighed everything else. After thanking her, I hurried toward Lily’s classroom.
At the door, I heard harsh curses. Following the crowd’s gaze, I saw Lily standing drenched beside a bucket, her face and clothes smeared with black ink.
A woman in a purple dress was yanking Lily’s hair viciously, demanding that she kneel and apologize to her son.
Fury surged through me. I rushed over and shielded Lily in my arms.
Seeing me, Lily finally broke down in sobs, clinging to me, unable to speak.
I stroked her back gently, soothing her, then turned to the woman in purple.
“What did my daughter do that you would treat her like this? If you don’t give me a reasonable explanation, I’ll sue you for bullying and intentional harm!”
The woman spat at me.
“Like mother, like daughter. Both of you are stubborn and sharp-tongued.”
“Sue me? Your daughter stole from my son, and I haven’t even settled that with you yet. And now you dare put on an act?”
Laughter rippled through the classroom. Lily raised her tearful eyes.