I was aware of what everyone else was thinking when I walked into the classroom. The voice was spiteful and gleeful as it shouted the most terrible things about my father. I would have lashed out at the people daring to think those thoughts but…the same things were passing through my head.810Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkR4XonDtcq
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Clara…810Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNVo7vTXqo
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What was it about the name that haunted me? Was it merely because it was the name of the woman who my father wronged?810Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2PjGGz8Ljl
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“What in the world happened? Everyone’s saying that Uncle Tony…”810Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbEKsYZ8WZ9
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Jenny, who had cut me off from her life since Jolly's funeral was the only one who bothered to come over to me. She was incredulous, eager to hear me contradict the accusations. But what could I say?810Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdsHb09XhCp
She read the worst from my silence. “No…That’s stupid.”
I could see Nancy looking at me. Her expression not hostile for once. But she made no move to come over.810Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡST43ktyLGb
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“I heard it, Jenny. I was there.”810Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYPp5UMPin
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She opened her mouth to speak but stopped when footsteps sounded from outside the class. The one who entered was not Roy Sir, our Physics Master who was supposed to take the first hour, but Lekha Madam, our headmistress.810Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfUXZAKketN
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One thing to say about Lekha Madam is that she is an example for ‘appearances are deceptive.’ A short petite woman who looked as fragile and delicate as glass. But beware anyone who mistook her weak appearance for a lack of authority. With a booming loud voice and an uncanny ability to command, Lekha Madam soon set them straight.810Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKu2plLZtg
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“Before class starts, I would like to pass along a message from our manager.” She frowned as if she was taking especially nasty tasting medicine. “As you all might now, the Inspector is waiting to question all members of Jolly’s class. Our manager wants the incident of two weeks ago not mentioned. No matter what kind of questions the Inspector asks.”810Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcvN9gpTbpn
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“That…” Before anyone reacted Jenny was on her feet. “That is not something we should hide from the police.”810Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4KgusEs31c
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“Jennifer…”810Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZpSleOZmn
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“What he insists is hardly fair. We can’t conceal the truth.”810Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2YYr949Xqn
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“Jennifer…”810Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdcWIVbnU1
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“What is he so afraid of? Did you ask him that? Is he afraid of…”810Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSgDlEPxY2X
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“JENNIFER!”810Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70o8vjLVfB
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Jennifer gasped, looked here and there. “I…”810Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdkofN1sTMb
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“Jenny…” Lekha Madam said kindly. “I understand your feelings but…I advise you not to get into trouble.”810Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcE0JdWZyMN
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“What has my Dad threatened to do to students not heeding his request?”810Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp7jzhcEphn
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“Expulsion. Any student who divulges the information will be expelled.” Lekha Madam’s voice was calm but the voice told me how angry she was. "That is what your father, the manager, said."810Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQDLHxCzPX
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A stony silence filled the classroom. I wondered how many of them were making the same decision as me. To hell with any warning! That incident is the first thing the Inspector would hear from me.
To be continued...
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