Flora’s Guide to a Second Chance at Love and Life
Chapter 1080

Her face broke into an unintentional smile, but it vanished in a heartbeat. Henrik gave the staff a knowing glance, and the stage's big screen flickered to life. Up popped a series of screenshots.

There they were conversations of Liam pestering Cecelia for money and snapshots of Cecelia forwarding the cash. Liam's words were downright vile, a string of curses thrown Cecelia's way. Those screenshots alone demolished the caring dad image Liam had just tried to put on.

The screen shifted to show a bank account statement. "As you can see," Henrik grabbed the mic, his voice crystal clear to everyone, "five years ago, Cecelia aced the city's high school exams, and the school rewarded her with two hundred thousand. Look here, that money ended up in Liam's account. And in just a month, he blew through it all."

"These transfer screenshots are the proof." Silence fell over the room again.

Liam's face showed panic as plain as day. Aisha shot up from her seat, staring at the screen in disbelief. How could this be happening?

She had assumed these parent-child matters were always messy. Even if Cecelia found a way to clear things up later, her reputation would have taken a hit. But here she was, clearing things up now! Doing it now versus later made all the difference!

Aisha had sensed something was off before, and now it clicked-everything was too smooth! Cecelia had been too calm! Like she knew exactly what Aisha was planning and was just waiting for her to walk into the trap.

"And we also have Cecelia's mentor here with us," Henrik continued. An assistant helped a middle-aged man onto the stage. He wore glasses, sported a bald head, and had a bit of a belly-classic teacher look.

"Mr. Smith," Cecelia's lips quivered slightly when she saw him.

"Easy now," the teacher reassured her, then addressed the crowd of reporters, "Hello, everyone. I'm Cecelia's high school principal, Mr. Smith. This child is truly remarkable obedient, polite, and outstanding academically. It's a shame she has such parents, who kept her from going to college." He sighed deeply, a mix of sorrow and anger in his voice, "I didn't want to step in today, but I couldn't stand by and watch this heartless couple harm Cecelia any longer. Over the years, they..."

His words grew more passionate

and distressed, fueling the reporters' own outrage. How despicable! Damn it! How could parents like this exist? They wished they could smash them with a hammer!

Liam and Peyton felt the heat of their glares, trembling and speechless. Some in the audience, unable to stand it, hurled water bottles at them, hitting them until they cried out.

Online viewers were just as furious, wishing they could reach through their screens and give Liam and Peyton the beating they deserved. [OMG, that sister who always seemed so simple had such a rough childhood!]

[My heart aches for her!]

[Where are those trolls now? Those rumor-mongers just looking for attention? Cat got your tongue?]

Henrik's eyes were fixed on Cecelia. She stood in a striking red dress, her face a mask of calm, almost like she was an outsider to all of this, herè eyelashes flickering like a butterfly's wings at rest. He'd already dug into her past, but hearing it brought up again stirred something painful in him. This bright young woman shouldn't have to deal with such hardships.

Even if she didn't care for him, he'd stick around, offering his friendship as best as he could, to help her feel at home and at ease.

The big screen continued, now playing a video. Besides Liam and Peyton, there was someone else.

"Aisha!" a reporter exclaimed.

Aisha, tucked away in a corner, turned pale, grabbing her bag to make a run for it. But-two men stepped in her path, blocking her escape.