The Unveiled Rose
Chapter 179

Zachary didn't argue back. Instead, he simply said, "But if I don't go see her, it feels like there's this empty space inside me... Like something's missing." Harry sighed.

Worried that he might forget later, Zachary took the initiative and said, "Make sure to drop me off at Grandma's place tonight."

Harry was confused. "Why?"

Zachary explained, instantly distracted from his tears, "Think about it-Cody picked on Willow, and I helped Willow out. Cody felt wronged, so he'll definitely tell his mother what happened. If I go home, I'd be walking right into a trap, right?" Harry nodded thoughtfully. "You're right."

...

Just as Zachary predicted, Cody wasted no time telling Jessica what happened at school the moment he got home.

Jessica had noticed Cody's sour expression on the way home, but she hadn't known why. After hearing Cody's story, her anger flared.

Someone dared mess with Cody? Did they think she would do nothing?

Her expression darkened as she made a plan to coax Zachary home and then give him a good talking-to. She called him, pretended she didn't know anything, and said, "Why aren't you home yet?"

Zachary already knew why Jessica called him, but he played along. "I've been getting home late for days, and you never cared. What's so special about tonight?"

Jessica's voice didn't waver as she lied, "Your father said he'd like all four of us to spend some time together. You know, do something fun as a family."

"You guys go ahead," Zachary replied, unfazed. "I've got things to take care of."

Jessica stared at the phone in disbelief as the call ended. She nearly smashed it to the ground in frustration.

Just then, the front door swung open, and Steven walked into the living room.

Jessica suppressed her anger as she switched gears and softened her voice. "Steven."

If Zachary wouldn't listen to her, he would surely listen to his father, right?

Jessica hoped Steven would be able to convince Zachary to come back, so she recounted Cody's story to him. She even embellished the details as she went. Frustrated, she said, "Can you believe Zachary? Instead of sticking up for his own brother at school, he sided with someone else!"

Steven didn't reply immediately, and Jessica gradually calmed down.

Finally, he said, "This is the second time Cody's been picking on a little girl in kindergarten, right?"

Jessica's heart sank.

Steven continued, "As his mother, you know Cody's behavior isn't right. Instead of guiding him to do better, you're blaming the person who stopped him? Jessica..."

Jessica didn't want a lecture. She cut him off and raised her voice, "I know you're right, but Cody is just a kid! He's being alienated by his classmates because of Willow. It's not like he actually did anything to her. He just said a few harsh things. That's all. Is that really so bad?" Steven looked at Jessica and didn't reply.

Jessica knew perfectly well that Cody was acting that way to defend her, which made it hard for her to see his behavior as wrong.

She went on, "The teacher talked to me today. She said Cody's behavior is starting to affect other kids, and she suggested transferring him to another place."

"Then, transfer him," Steven said calmly. "A new school without Willow around might help him settle down a bit, right?"

Jessica was stunned, and it took a while before she replied, "I guess it would."

After getting her agreement, Steven started making arrangements and called a new kindergarten. The new kindergarten had an excellent reputation and was one of the best in the city. However, it was far-about an hour and a half from the villa. Jessica was stunned as she watched Steven. "But won't driving Cody there and back daily be a bit inconvenient?"

"I'll buy you a place near the new kindergarten." Steven almost sounded relieved when he said those words. "You can stay there with Cody during the week."

Jessica shot to her feet after hearing his words. "No way! I won't live apart from you!"

She had to live with Steven and see him every day. That was the only way she could keep convincing him that she was the one he loved and the one worth spending his money on.

If they started living apart, it would take less than a couple of days for Steven to figure out who he really liked!