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question them.
But in the end, it was Jocelyn who had struck someone. That was not the same as a simple argument. She had no choice but to lower her head and offer Zoey a half-hearted apology.
“Although the girls were only quarreling, it was wrong for my daughter to hurt anyone. Please, don’t hold it against her, Mrs. Prince,” said Vera.
Zoey glanced at Jocelyn, who still wore an expression of resentment and grievance. Anyone unfamiliar with the situation might think she was the one who had been harmed.
“She’s already of age. She’s not a child anymore and must take responsibility for her actions. If she struck someone, then it is her responsibility to apologize. After that, whether or not I choose to forgive her is my business,” Zoey replied coolly.
Vera assessed the situation. No matter what, the Earl of Silverstone’s family had to show the Quinton family a certain level of respect. Clearly, Sophie also wanted them to resolve this matter peacefully and didn’t want the situation to escalate. That was why she had called Zoey and Vera here.
Vera had already given in, but she didn’t expect Zoey to be so rude, making her look bad in front of everyone. There were other students around, all of whom would definitely talk about it when they went home.
Vera stood up straighter. If they wanted to make a big deal out of it, then she would make sure to handle it properly.
Even though she already knew the details, she still kept her composure and asked the students what exactly had happened. What had caused the argument? How had it escalated to the point of a fight? The students, not daring to side with Jocelyn’s friends in front of the headmistress, simply repeated the story as it happened, giving an honest account of everything.
Vera latched onto Courtney’s words, letting out a sharp laugh. “Oh? How thoughtful of you to speak up for General Farrell, Ms. Prince. But if you were going to defend him, why go as far as saying that he has no interest in my daughter? If such words get out, what will become of her reputation? Your choice of words was reckless, Ms. Prince. If we’re to consider expulsion, then both of them should go.”
She gave Courtney a cold glance, then added, “And as for the issues involving the Farrell family and your aunt how dare you even speak about that? Don’t you have any shame?”
Courtney’s voice was hoarse as she replied, “She brought it up first; I didn’t start it! Why is it that she can speak, but I can’t respond?”
“You’re so sharp-tongued,” Vera taunted sarcastically, then turned to Zoey. “Mrs. Prince, you’re the lady of the house and you run the Earl of Silverstone’s household. Even with so much on your plate, you should still keep better control of your children. A young woman who argues with her elders like this won’t be easy to marry off.”
Her words were laced with a thinly veiled threat.
Vera was well-connected in their circle, so she obviously knew that Zoey was looking for a marriage match for Courtney. The phrase “won’t be easy to marry off” was a veiled threat-if things got worse,
Vera might spread rumors, making it harder for Courtney to marry.
Zoey was no fool and certainly picked up on the threat.
In the past, she might have cared. But with everything that had happened with Viola, the reputation of the Earl of Silvestone’s family had already been tarnished. Zoey had nothing left to lose.
When a person stopped caring about everything, they might lose control or act irrationally, almost as if they’d gone crazy.
“Let’s not stray from the matter at hand, Mrs. Quinton. The headmistress and the teachers are present, and the facts are clear. The argument between both parties was verbal. My daughter’s words about General Farrell not favoring Ms. Quinton may have been blunt, but they were likely the truth. You can’t expect your daughter to be so perfect that everyone would like her.
“If Ms. Quinton found it insulting, she shouldn’t have spoken about it at the academy. She was the first to mention it, so she cannot blame others for responding. Disagreement and debate are normal, but violence is not.” Behind Zoey’s calm demeanor, there was an unmistakable, almost manic intensity.
“I demand that your daughter apologize and be expelled. Those are my terms,” she declared.
Vera’s expression grew darker. It was impossible that Zoey hadn’t caught her veiled threat.
Her tone hardened as she said, “There’s no need to escalate this matter so much. I’m fine with an apology, but expulsion is too extreme. It’s just a petty altercation between children. Expelling someone over such a trivial matter would only make people think Gracewood Women’s Academy is blowing things out of proportion.
“Mrs. Prince, if you won’t think of your own daughter, at least consider the academy’s reputation. If word gets out that my daughter was expelled over this, it will only damage the academy’s standing.”
Her earlier threat to Zoey had now subtly shifted to threatening the academy itself.
Sophie’s smile was cold and dismissive. “If we don’t expel Ms. Quinton for hitting another student, that will be what damages the academy’s reputation. We invited you here to handle this matter with some dignity, Mrs. Quinton.
“Those who need to apologize and make amends should do so, and the situation should be explained so that both families don’t hold grudges because of the children’s actions. But the expulsion is non-negotiable. If you’re unwilling to have your daughter leave voluntarily, I will take the responsibility of seeing that she’s removed.”
Vera dared not openly argue with Sophie.
So instead, she turned to the other teachers and asked, “All of you are supposed to be role models. Surely, you can overlook a small mistake from a student?”
Rosalind’s response was unwavering, “I insist on her expulsion. It was only due to the intervention of Mrs. Ashford and Lady Sophie that Ms. Quinton was given the opportunity to leave with some dignity.”
Catherine waved her hand. “Just have her withdrawn. Arguing further will only upset everyone.”
Vera shot Rosalind a sharp glare. According to the students, it was Rosalind who first brought up the expulsion, while the others merely agreed.
Who didn’t know about what happened between the Young family and the Farrell family? Any attempts to conceal it were futile.
Thomas truly didn’t fancy Rosalind-after all, who in the Young family these days could hold things together? They were no longer as influential as they once were, and all they had left was their reputation.
The Quinton family controlled the Civil Department. If it hadn’t been for Victoria’s interference and Sophie’s timely intervention, Thomas might have already sent a proposal of his own to the Quinton family for Jocelyn’s hand in marriage.
Vera believed that the Farrell family’s initial refusal was because Alice didn’t understand the benefits of political connections. However, Thomas couldn’t possibly be unaware of it. For a military officer to become a renowned general with great influence, they would need strong support from powerful officials in the court.
A strategic marriage alliance was the most practical way to secure such ties.
With this in mind, Vera let out a derisive laugh “You may be young, but you certainly carry yourself with authority, Ms. Young. Do you truly believe you’re a respectable teacher? I suspect there’s some jealousy and scheming between the girls involved here. Fine, if that’s the case, my daughter will withdraw herself-no need for anyone to expel her.”
Since Sophie had already made it clear that the expulsion was final, withdrawing voluntarily would at least preserve some dignity.
Vera stood, pulling Jocelyn by the arm. “We’re leaving!”
Jocelyn stumbled as her mother yanked her, tears welling in her eyes. “Mom, if I have to withdraw, then so should Courtney! Why should I be the only one?”
Vera shot a cold glance at Zoey and replied, “This is nothing more than a shoddy academy. We’ll find you a proper tutor.”
Zoey rose from her seat, her hand extending to block their way. “The expulsion is the academy’s decision. But after hitting my daughter and failing to offer an apology, do you think you can just leave without consequences? It’s not that simple.” “Didn’t she already apologize earlier? Why are you so stubborn?” Vera snapped, her temper flaring.
Zoey turned to look at the mother and daughter her gaze firm. “You never apologized, and neither did she. You can’t brush this off as et small quarrel between girls. My daughter was struck, and you think you can simply walk away without an apology?”
Zoey was determined to demand justice. If Courtney had been slapped and there was no apology, what would that teach everyone else? That they could do as they pleased without consequences?
Besides, this was a good chance to teach Courtney a lesson. When one was in the right and the other party was being unreasonable, one shouldn’t back down, not even an inch.
“I won’t apologize! She insulted me first!” Jocelyn said, sobbing.
Well aware of her daughter’s stubborn nature, Vera wasn’t surprised. She would never give in so easily.
Attempting a softer approach, Vera turned to Zoey and asked, “You’re really not going to let this go, are you? You won’t even show any respect to the Quinton family?”
“My daughter was struck. No amount of respect matters now. Besides, you don’t even speak for the Quinton family. If you want me to show respect for the Quinton family, you should have the family head come here and speak to me,” Zoey responded coldly.
Furious, Vera snapped, “Why must you make this so difficult for everyone? My daughter is already leaving. What more do you want?”