Chapter 8
Juniper had no chance of stopping me. After I quickly filled Mayor Cross in, she rushed back right away.
As the call ended with a sharp click, Juniper’s eyes swept over each of the kids in front of her, counting them quietly.
She Muttered the numbers at the corner of her lips, and then realized that there was actually one missing!
“How could this happen?” Juniper cried, panic bubbling up inside her.
She suddenly grabbed EMMa’s hand, her eyes darting to the other kids.
“Where’s Sophia? Wasn’t she with you just now?” Juniper’s voice was strained with anxiety.
“I don’t know…” EMMG Mumbled, sounding a bit
upset.
“I was just playing with the building blocks in your office. I didn’t see anything else,” EMMa added quietly.
“Yeah, we didn’t see Sophia either…” the other kids echoed, their voices small and uncertain.
As the kids echoed each other, Juniper’s face drained of color.
She quickly shut down the livestream and started urgently reaching out to the other staff.
Tears fell in quick succession, fear overwhelming her.
“Quick… Get me the security footage from the property office! One of the kids is missing!” Juniper shouted, her voice trembling.
While Juniper was freaking out, I just stared coldly at the chat as it exploded with wild comments.
I couldn’t help but think how ridiculous it all was.
Not bothering to deal with any of it, I just picked up EMMA and headed straight home.
After giving Emma and myself a warm bath, I carefully tended to my wounds with a steady hand.
Then I handled all the business matters, sending responses to each of our partners one by one.
By the time I finished everything, it was already two in the morning.
EMMA was already fast asleep in her room, and I still had to prepare for a 9 a.m. business trip. Before
heading out, I needed to make sure EMMa got to school.
All this constant hustle, and Juniper saw it as Me neglecting my child.
How absurd!
My phone chimed.
I glanced down and saw a text from Vivian.
(Did you hear? Sophia Cross has been found.]
[Turns out the property office left their door unlocked, and she ended up wandering onto the main road and almost got hit by a car.]
(If a good Samaritan hadn’t spotted her and rushed her to the hospital, things could’ve gotten really ugly…..]
[Well, at least she’s safe now.) I replied, my voice heavy with exhaustion.
Even though sleepiness was already tugging at me, I forced myself to respond.
I texted, [Vivian, what are you planning to do about the property office?)
Vivian replied, [Let’s just get through our business trip first. Someone will put Juniper in her place sooner or later!]
[Alright, we’ll deal with it after the trip. I’m really exhausted tonight, so I’m heading to bed… Goodnight.]
Just like that, the next morning, Vivian and I hit the road for yet another business trip.
By the time we got back, the whole situation had flipped.
The other parents in the group chat had teamed up to file a complaint, and Sophia’s disappearance got pulled into the mix, too.
The property Management didn’t waste any time.
Juniper faced the consequences the very next day.
She was taken off her job as property manager, and a young girl was brought in to replace her.
Before leaving, she was forced to write a self–criticism that ran for thousands of words, and it was plastered right on the property office wall for everyone to gawk at.
Vivian and I glanced at each other, barely holding back our laughter at how absurd the whole thing was.
As expected, after doing something so
Outrageous… We didn’t even need to lift a finger. She got her comeuppance all by herself!
When I got home, EMMG was sitting on the couch, looking helpless.
As soon as she heard Me at the door, she ran over and threw herself into my arms.
“I’m sorry, MoM. I’ve been reflecting on myself these past few days, and I know I was wrong,” EMMa said, her voice trembling.
“I shouldn’t have stayed hidden when you were so worried about Me…” EMMG whispered, her voice barely audible as she hugged me.
Her tears dampened my palm, and I gave her shoulder a gentle pat.
“EMMA, I want you to know. I could never not love you. I just have so much to handle sometimes,” I said
softly.
“I know, I know! Please, Mom…don’t be angry with me anymore. I promise I won’t do it again!” Emma pleaded, her voice trembling with guilt.
Seeing the hurt in Emma’s eyes, I took a deep breath, fighting to keep мy emotions in check.
Then I gently wrapped my arms around her.
“Alright, let’s put this behind us. We won’t talk about it anymore,” I said softly.
“But you absolutely can’t do anything so foolish again, and you must never put yourself–or Me–in harm’s way like that!” I said, my voice firm but gentle.
“Okay, Mom! Pinky promise!” EMMG replied, her voice earnest and pleading.
Her tiny hand hooked around my pinky, and I gave her head a gentle pat.
“Alright, I’m going to do my homework now,” EMMG said.
Her voice sounded soft but determined.
As I watched EMMa head into her room, it hit me how Much she’d grown.
With this storm finally behind us, everyone was safe and sound–thank goodness.
From here on out, I was ready to take charge and live
My life for myself.