Chapter 36 How Much Do You Want?
Abigail was happy with the little blanket draped over her shoulders, ruffling Grace’s hair.
While things were warm and pleasant on their side, on the other side, Marcus was already fuming, his face red with anger.
Anthony’s expression was equally displeased. They sat in silence as they returned to their seats.
Michelle, caught in the middle, had to play the peacemaker.
“It’s no big deal. It was just a game. There are many more events. We’ll definitely catch up.”
In the past, Marcus had always been the center of attention at these events, but today, all the spotlight had gone to Grace.
He was genuinely frustrated.
He had always looked down on Abigail, thinking she was useless as a mother.
But now, he had to admit, without her, he wouldn’t even have had a chance to stand out.
After the morning events, the kindergarten prepared a buffet
Chapter 36 How Much Do You Want?
lunch for the children and their parents.
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Parents took their children to the dining hall and chose their seats, planning to continue the activities after the afternoon nap.
Abigail, Grace, and Felix sat at a bright, sunny spot by the window.
Grace told her what she wanted to cal, and Felix followed suit.
“No cilantro, no carrots. Everything else just like Grace’s.”
Abigail looked at him. “Grace is a child, but you’re not. If you want something, get it yourself.”
Felix pouted. “Hey, at least I’m your boss.”
“Sorry, Mr. Rowe. It’s rest time now.”
Felix reluctantly stood up, shooting a disappointed look at Grace.
“See, Ms. Taylor is a real stingy person.”
Grace happily watched the exchange between the two as Abigail and Felix went to grab their food.
Anthony and Michelle also went to get their food. Marcus, sitting at the middle table, saw Grace sitting by the window.
He held a cup of cold water, stood up, and casually walked over, spilling it all over Grace.
Chapter 36 How Much Do You Want?
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The sudden cold made Grace flinch, and she immediately burst
into tears.
Hearing the commotion, Abigail and Felix rushed over. Felix quickly took off his jacket and wrapped it around Grace, pulling her into his arms to comfort her.
“It’s okay, Grace. Don’t cry.”
Abigail looked at Marcus, who was still holding the water cup, acting as if nothing had happened, and was about to walk away.
She grabbed him by the shoulder and spun him around to face
her.
“Marcus, why did you spill water on Grace?”
Her tough attitude made Marcus‘ mood even worse.
“I didn’t. Do you have any proof?”
Abigail snatched the cup from his hand. “The cup’s still in your hand. You’re still saying you didn’t do it? The cafeteria has
cameras. Do you want me to check the footage?”
Hearing this, Marcus began to panic.
“I didn’t do it on purpose!”
Anthony and Michelle approached as they heard the noise.
Chapter 36 How Much Do You Want?
Anthony immediately scooped Marcus up into his arms, his frown deepening as he looked at Abigail.
“What are you doing?”
The commotion was loud enough to attract attention from others in the cafeteria.
“Marcus bullied Grace, spilling water on her. He needs to apologize today!”
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Anthony noticed how cold Marcus‘ hands were, and it was clear he knew what had happened.
But when he saw Abigail protecting another child, he felt an overwhelming surge of frustration.
“Why should Marcus apologize? It wasn’t intentional. Kids mess around. Are we really going to make such a big deal out of this?”
Abigail had anticipated that Anthony would defend Marcus, but she hadn’t expected him to be so unreasonable.
He defended Marcus so blatantly in front of everyone.
This kind of behavior, reversing right and wrong and blindly protecting Marcus, would only distort his values, teaching him to bully others and get away with it.
How was this any different from pushing a child into a burning pit?
Chapter 36 How Much Do You Want? Abigail’s eyes turned cold as she glared at Anthony. “Are you sure you want to cover up for Marcus?”
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Anthony arrogantly lifted his chin. “Stop making things up. I’m just stating the facts.”
Michelle stepped forward. “Abigail, Marcus certainly didn’t do it on purpose. You can’t accuse your own child just because you’re protecting someone else’s.”
Abigail looked at them, and it was as if she were staring at a typical family.
It made her feel repulsed.
Abigail snapped, “Marcus knows whether it was intentional or not, but the fact remains that water was spilled on Grace. You have to apologize.”
“I won’t apologize! If you want, let my dad pay her compensation!”
Abigail thought, “So money is the solution now? Is that Marcus‘ idea of resolving things?
Can he just bully others and pay his way out of it?”
Abigail was horrified at the thought. If Marcus kept going down this path, what kind of person would he become when he grew up?
But Anthony wouldn’t correct him. Instead, he supported his
Chapter 36 How Much Do You Want?
words. “Marcus is right. How much do you want? Name a
price.”
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Abigail was seething with anger. She thought they were nothing. but bullies.
Behind her, Felix had finally calmed Grace down and stood up, walking over to Abigail’s side.
“Since they won’t apologize, why force them? Abigail, don’t waste your time with them. Let’s go.”
“But!”
Abigail still felt that leaving without getting an apology would be unfair to Grace.
Luckily, Grace was sensible and tugged at Abigail’s sleeve. “Ms. Taylor, I’m fine. I’m just cold. I want to change my clothes.”
Abigail knew it was impossible to get an apology from Marcus and Anthony.
The two were beyond help.
Worried that Grace might catch a cold, Felix picked her up and walked with Abigail to the changing room.
Anthony lost his appetite and took Marcus to the rest area.
Michelle awkwardly looked at the people around, muttering, “Sorry for disturbing everyone’s meal.”
Chapter 36 How Much Do You Want? Then, she followed them and went to the rest area.
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Once they entered the rest area, Anthony set Marcus down and towered over him, glaring with a stern face.
“Why did you spill water on her?”
Marcus was still defiant. “I didn’t do it on purpose!”
“I’m asking you one last time. Why did you do it? If you don’t tell me the truth, I’ll leave you here and never bring you home!”
Anthony’s attitude was severe. Marcus, who had been holding in his anger, immediately burst into tears when he was questioned in this manner.
Michelle came in, immediately shielding Marcus behind her.
“Anthony, what are you doing? Marcus is just a kid. Why yell at him like that?”
Anthony’s face hardened. “If he’s already doing things like this. at such a young age, what’s he going to be like when he grows up?”
Marcus clung to Michelle. “I don’t want Daddy! Daddy’s bad!”
Hearing this, Anthony nearly reached out to grab him, but Michelle quickly stepped between them.
“Anthony! He’s just a child! You can’t do this. You’ll scare him!”
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Chapter 36 How Much Do You Want? Michelle hugged Marcus and took a few steps back.
“And besides, this whole thing isn’t entirely Marcus‘ fault. If you’re going to blame someone, blame Abigail. How could Marcus feel good when he sees his mother always siding with other people’s kids?”
