NovelXXXChapter 274 At exactly half past five, the Carmichael patriarch arrived on schedule at Havencrest Primus Academy, settling into the seats reserved for Citrine's family.
Elsewhere, in the section for Class Ten parents, the two seats with Jeanette's non them were already taken- Aline and Dick sat side by side.
Jeanette gazed at her parents with conviction. "Mom, Dad, I signed up for the speech contest this time. I'm definitely going to win first place." Her grades had slipped lately, but public speaking had always been her forte. This year, she was confident she'd finally outshine Citrine.
Aline beamed. "Go for it, Jeanette. I believe in you." "So do I." Dick's voice was warm with pride.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtHe hadn't been there for much of Jeanette's childhood, but he'd always known she had a gift for speaking.
Right now, Dick and Aline sat shoulder to shoulder, while Jeanette knelt in front of them, bubbling with excitement. From a distance, the three looked like a picture- perfect family.
Across the hall, in Class Two's section, Sawyer watched the scene unfold, and it felt like a punch to the gut. He was Jeanette's real father-yet Dick had taken his seat.
Sawyer's expression darkened as he watched the three of them, so close, so at ease-like a real family. Clifford, noticing where his father's gaze had landed, scoffed. "Dad, stop staring. Even if you went over now, Jeanette would just think you were ruining their happy family moment." Sawyer pressed his lips into a thin line, but said nothing.
Soon, the lights dimmed and the holiday program began. The students had prepared all sorts of acts-singing, dancing, skits, poetry readings. The parents were dazzled by the variety, though some, especially those with high expectations, began to frown. They saw little value in these lighthearted performances and wondered why there weren't more academic contests.
Just then, Jeanette walked onto the stage.
She wore her school uniform, and the moment she began speaking, her clear, fluent English rang out across the auditorium.
Compared to the previous entertainment acts, the parents were clearly more interested in an academic competition-especially one that showcased public speaking skills.
Jeanette's performance had them all thinking, *Now there's a student to be proud of.* When she finished, the hall erupted in applause.
Others from the speech group followed her act, but with Jeanette setting the bar so high, the rest felt like mere afterthoughts.
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Meanwhile, at the Carmichael Group's headquarters, Raymond was gathering documents for an om LeT important client meeting when he realized he'd left a critical folder back at Carmichael Manor. He immediately called the housekeeper.
He'd barely finished dialing when the housekeeper answered, sounding puzzled. "Sir, aren't you at Miss Citrine's Christmas program?" Raymond paused, caught off guard. "What Christmas program?"
The housekeeper hesitated a moment. "There's a Christmas party at Miss Citrine's school tonight. M Parents were invited. Miss gave the invitation to the old master-he left early for the school. I thought you'd gone as well..." Before he could finish, Raymond had already ended the call.
"Adler, geta parent pass to Havencrest's Christmas Gala. Now," Raymond barked, pulling on his suit jacket.
Adler glanced nervously at Raymond, sensing trouble. His voice wavered. "But, President Carmichael, you're due to meet that important client soon... Are you really leaving now?" "What about the client?" Adler fretted, thinking of the notoriously difficult guest.
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