The Unveiled Rose
Chapter 135

Zachary had no one to blame for this outcome.

Tears streamed down his face. All he wanted right now was to be with Annalise.

...

Jessica arrived late and saw Zane and me standing at the door. Her steps gradually slowed.

She hesitated before walking over to Holly. "Cody, let's go home."

"Mom..." Cody hid behind Jessica.

Noticing that something was off, Jessica tried to take Cody away.

Zane blocked her path. "Your son has been spreading rumors in class, causing the other students to isolate my daughter."

His expression was calm as ever but carried an inexplicable sense of pressure. "How do you plan to resolve this?"

Jessica felt Cody trembling behind her and quickly patted his arm to reassure him. She scoffed and asked, "How can you be sure my son said that?"

I looked at Jessica in surprise. Was she really not going to admit it?

Holly softly responded, "All the kids in the class have stated that it was him."

Jessica turned to look at Cody.

He nodded gravely, his expression heavy.

Jessica knew that Cody was indeed responsible for this. She took a deep breath. "So, what exactly did he say?"

Zane enunciated each word carefully, "He said my daughter was hogging Zachary's mother."

Jessica scoffed derisively. "Isn't that true?"

I knew that Zane wouldn't be able to answer that question, so I calmly interjected, "Jessica, you should know better than anyone that it was Zachary who first rejected me as his mother, right?" Jessica stared at me.

I continued, "Later, I left the Pelham family and became Willow's mom. No matter how you look at it, Willow is just sheltering a homeless me. Her actions can hardly be considered stealing."

I chuckled softly. "And you, knowing the truth, are intentionally lying to clear your son's name. Do you need me to recount what you did back then in front of all these people?"

My voice was not loud, and it even sounded very gentle.

Yet, Jessica's expression darkened significantly, and she glared at me.

I met her gaze. "I forgot to remind you. I'm not a patient person."

Jessica took a deep breath. "My son doesn't understand much. He just said something wrong, but he's just a little kid. How could he have any ill intentions? Can he even comprehend the consequences of his actions? "But you two are adults! Must you really lower yourselves to the level of a child?"

Her intentions were very clear.

So what if Cody was wrong? As adults, they should accommodate the child.

I was about to retort when Zane pressed down on my shoulder. "So, you're saying you don't intend to cooperate with us in resolving this matter?"

Jessica replied like it was no big deal, "It hasn't really affected your daughter that much."

Zane nodded. "I see."

Then, he took my wrist with one hand and held Willow's hand with the other, leading us away.

I was unhappy. "She hasn't apologized to Willow yet! If we leave now, that wouldn't be fair to Willow, would it?"

As Zane got into the car and closed the door behind me, he said, "After causing such a big fuss, does she think a light 'I'm sorry' will brush it all under the rug?"

I was taken aback. "What do you plan to do?"

"Doesn't she think these rumors won't hurt the child?" Zane held Willow's little hand.

He wore a smile, but it was particularly cold. "I hope she can remain just as calm if the same thing happens to her son."