QT: Against My Will-Chapter 609 - 10.21 - Outsmarting Karma - Rebirth Of The Heart
Bella’s teacher received an unexpected letter bearing the academy’s seal. The letter stated that due to a series of unspecified breaches of conduct, the academy had made the difficult decision to terminate her employment.
"This is unjust, Isabelle," Bella’s teacher quickly sought out Isabelle, "Just yesterday, I voiced my criticism about Edward Ashtor’s undue influence. And today, this letter arrives out of the blue, terminating me without any clear reason. It can’t be a coincidence."
Isabelle was visibly shocked. The Ashtors must have used their influence again! And in sucg an arrogant manner at that! This needed to be brought to light immediately!
Their goal was to expose this potential abuse of power and garner public support. It would also help her husband in gaining more voices for the next elections.
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While waiting for the traffic news with Stinky Bun and Edward, Bing Shi switched between other channels with morning news. She was taken aback to learn of Bella’s teacher’s dismissal from the academy.
The teacher spoke about her misfortune with a trembling voice before the cameras. "I never expected this," she began, her voice quivering. "I have dedicated so many years to teaching and nurturing young talents at the academy. To receive this letter of termination without any clear reason... it’s heartbreaking."
Her words were laced with genuine distress, her tears falling freely, "I love my students, especially Bella. I would never do anything to harm anyone. This sudden turn of events has left me devastated."
Stinky Bun pointed at the TV, "Mommy, mommy!" That’s you mommy!
To Bing Shi’s surprise, they showed a brief clip of her laughing while leaving the academy with Edward the previous day. It painted her as a privileged woman gloating in the face of the teacher’s misfortune.
’I did indeed take some satisfaction in knowing the teacher would have a sleepless night because of me, but...’
Bing Shi turned to Xuan Mu, her eyes carrying a hint of suspicion, "You are so coc...I mean charmingly confident," she said, correcting herself with a slight smile. He didn’t condemn her actions as Silvia, so she was not going to question his actions as Edward either, "You’re not worried about your reputation?"
Xuan Mu casually draped his arm around her shoulder. "My reputation was never built on being universally loved."
He was fully aware of how his actions appeared to others: petty and overbearing—like someone who thought he was above law and couldn’t be touched by the consequences of his actions.
Bing Shi laughed, acknowledging his point. "I never doubted that about you, my Mr. Mischief."
If the male lead had taken the same action, it might have been hailed as a heroic gesture to protect the female lead. But since it was Edward who did it, he was perceived as an arrogant and cocky antagonist.
Xuan Mu never bothered with tarnishing others’ reputations. In different circumstances, the teacher might have either disappeared quietly or been largely ignored, so why would he intentionally trigger the public’s attention?
Stinky Bun’s tiny face lit up as he watched the teacher’s predicament unfold on the television, his tummy filling up. "Daddy, Daddy?" he exclaimed, standing on his daddy’s laps while pointing at the screen. Did the lady get into trouble?
"She did," Xuan Mu kissed his son’s cheek, "The lady lost her job because she tried to bully Mommy. And what does Daddy always say? Misfortune always has a way of finding bullies."
Stinky Bun raised his fist in adorable understanding, "Daddy, daddy!" Daddy bullies Stinky Bun, so Misfortune will find Daddy too!
The corners of Xuan Mu’s lips curled up, "That’s right."
Bing Shi rested her head against Xuan Mu’s shoulder, finding comfort in his presence.
He intentionally chose to punish someone while simultaneously punishing himself in response. He willingly took on the burden of judgment and criticism, sacrificing his own reputation for the sake of their son’s godhood.
He was basically trying to outsmart Karma. The fear that his activities might one day turn against his family in order to hurt him were always here. And she admired how he had skillfully maneuvered the consequences of his actions away from them.
|"You certainly enjoy being surrounded by paparazzi and protesters, don’t you?"| she asked with a chuckle.
He caressed her hair, |"Yeah, I’m dying to be the center of attention again. It’s my favorite pastime,"| he said, his response laced with sarcasm.
Bing Shi couldn’t help but chuckle at his response, then she added, "I wonder how XiaoPu will take this."
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In the bustling hallways, a few students gathered around Xiao Pu, their faces twisted into mocking grins.
One of them, a tall boy with a smirk, sneered, "Hey, heard your godfather is quite the celebrity. Bet you get pampered like his trophy wife."
Another classmate chimed in, "Yeah, does he give you expensive gifts every day?"
Xiao Pu retorted with a roll of his eyes, "Having a godparent like Edward is great, but you wouldn’t understand, considering you were probably born without a drop of class in your veins... for him to choose you as his godson."
One boy’s face turned red with a mix of anger "If Edward was my godfather, I’d be so embarrassed. Everyone knows Daniel is the real deal."
Another joined him, "Yeah, Daniel’s way cooler. He’s like the smartest guy ever, who always comes out on top. In brains, looks, everything. Edward’s just... well, he just seems like a big, scary side character everyone is making fun of."
Xiao Pu shot back, "Funny how you’re all quick to compare Edward to Daniel, but not to your own fathers. What’s the matter? Afraid they might not measure up?"
The tension escalated quickly, and Xiao Pu’s sharp tongue ignited a full-blown confrontation. It didn’t take long for the argument to turn into a fight.
Xiao Pu dodged their punches and landed his own strikes. With a well-placed kick and a final, cutting remark, he managed to subdue the small group.
The students lay on the ground with bruises and cries of agony and XiaoPu was soon met with stern-faced student’s parents and school administrators.
One of the parents, a wealthy woman of a businessman, spoke condescendingly, "This behavior is beneath our children, and it’s disgraceful that our kids had to endure this."
Xiao Pu’s mother looked distraught and overwhelmed by the situation. She stammered, "I...I’m so sorry. Xiao Pu’s actions were inexcusable."
The parents couldn’t help but reprimand XiaoPu’s mother, "Clearly, you’re not raising your child properly. Such behavior reflects poorly on all of you."
Xiao Pu, unable to contain himself, retorted again, "At least I’m not teaching my child to look down on others just because they’re less fortunate."
His father, frustrated and embarrassed by his son’s outburst, shouted sternly, "Xiao Pu, that’s enough! Be quiet!"
The room fell into an uncomfortable silence, tension thick in the air as Xiao Pu bit on his bottom lip. He held back his tears as he watched his parents desperately try to smooth out the situation. He understood they didn’t have a choice, but it still hurt deeply.
"Xiao Pu is trying to emulate Edward, and it has landed him in trouble. Please forgive him," XiaoPu’s father said, thinking Edward’s powerful status could defend against such situations, but they didn’t have the same resources.
It felt as though XiaoPu was looking at his own vulnerability, forced to prostrate himself before those who held more power and influence just to get on their good side.
Why didn’t his parents put aside their pride and ask Edward for help instead of enduring humiliation before the people that tried to hurt him?
Finally, the door opened, and Edward entered together with Seraphine.
Edward observed the student’s condition, then glanced at Xiao Pu’s, nodding slightly with an approving smirk, "Seems like you handled yourself quite well," he remarked, a touch of amusement in his voice.
"..." XiaoPu looked down, wiping his nose with his sleeve, "They thought they could push me around because of the rumors swirling around you again."
Edward patted his back, "That’s the way of the world, buddy. Rumors, perceptions—people’s stupidity in jumping to conclusions—it will never cease to amaze me."
His mocking attitude and refusal to take the situation seriously had further angered and alienated the parents, teachers, and students in the room.
They looked at him in disapproval. It was no wonder XiaoPu were getting into these kinds of conflicts! Even now, Edward didn’t seem to fully grasp the impact of his actions!
