Chapter 209: Chapter 209: Confrontation

Since all the guest children were experiencing first-grade life at Hope Primary School, the principal joined Naomi Kenway in handing out the red flower stickers.

Mr. Holloway was also standing nearby, seemingly lost in thought.

Seven students in the class received red flower stickers, and three of them were the guest children experiencing school life.

Teacher Sanders, the first-grade math teacher, had just reviewed Ian Shaw’s test paper in the office. Many of his problem-solving methods were remarkably unique, making it hard to believe such original thinking came from a kindergartener.

She adjusted her glasses and suggested, “Principal, Ian was the only student in the class who got a perfect score on the math test. I think we should give him a red flower sticker as encouragement!”

Everyone appreciates talent, after all.

The principal nodded. “I heard Ian answered the questions very quickly, too. He certainly deserves some encouragement, especially at his age… It’s truly rare.”

After he finished speaking, he picked up another red flower sticker. But just as he called out Ian’s name, he was interrupted.

As the temporary first-grade Language Arts teacher, Renee Jennings was also part of the group handing out stickers. Her tone was solemn. “I don’t think that’s appropriate!”

As soon as she spoke, all eyes in the room turned to her.

The principal was taken aback but remained good-natured. “Ian is only four, and he got a perfect score on the class test. I see no harm in giving him some encouragement. Ms. Jennings, what do you mean by this…?”

Renee Jennings cut him off. “If that were the case, then giving him a red flower sticker would be perfectly reasonable, but…” Her tone shifted. “I’m afraid there’s something fishy about Ian’s score.”

She glanced at Ian, who was sitting calmly at his desk not far away. ’He’s just sitting there so composed, not even a hint of panic?’

A stern expression appeared on the math teacher, Ms. Sanders’s, face. “Fishy? You can’t just make baseless accusations.”

Renee Jennings sighed. “Of course I’m happy that Ian got a perfect score, but I believe a child’s most important quality is integrity. Grades are secondary. If we don’t correct this now, I’m afraid his behavior will only get more out of hand and lead to serious consequences down the line.”

Naomi Kenway’s gaze locked onto Renee Jennings’s face. She sneered, “What proof do you have? Without any evidence, I could accuse you of slander.”

“I wouldn’t say this without a reason. Everyone is well aware of Ian’s academic performance before this. How could he possibly improve so quickly? Mr. Holloway, who was proctoring with you, went to the restroom midway through the exam. I suspect that’s when you passed Ian the answers, right? I heard from Mr. Holloway that Ian finished the test in just a few minutes…”

Renee Jennings didn’t elaborate further, simply saying:

“I’m truly sorry if this upsets you, Nina. It’s just that I believe fairness is what matters most in a test. Besides, a child’s moral character must be properly nurtured. I can understand you wanting to chase clout, Nina, but resorting to such underhanded methods is a bit despicable.”

“Nonsense,” Naomi Kenway scoffed. “Rumors really do just roll off your tongue. There are cameras all around us. Do you take the audience for fools? You think they’d just sit there and watch us cheat?!”

Renee Jennings faltered for a moment, then her voice turned cold. “As if it would be hard for you to get the cameras turned away.”

’Renee recalled the director’s fawning attitude toward Naomi and grew irritated. ’Everyone knows Naomi got here through connections. Getting the cameras moved would be a piece of cake for her, yet she’s putting on this innocent act?’’

’Thinking back, all the setbacks she had suffered recently were largely because of Naomi Kenway.’

’Before she met Naomi, her career had been smooth sailing, and she was adored by the masses. But ever since Naomi appeared, her career had gone downhill. She’d even lost a huge number of fans recently, even though her marketing strategy was the same as before and shouldn’t have been a problem.’

’An unavoidable, venomous resentment filled Renee’s eyes as she looked at Naomi. This was all thanks to her.’

’Naomi Kenway wanted to use her as a stepping stone to get ahead, so she would expose her, step by step!’

Chelsea Raines, having finished handing out red flowers to the third graders, walked in. Eager to stir the pot, she chimed in, “My, my, so wicked at such a young age. Cheating now… who knows what he’ll do when he grows up. Our Jared isn’t the brightest, but he would never pull a deceitful stunt like this.”

“Shut up!” a sharp voice barked.

Chelsea Raines shivered involuntarily. She looked up to see Naomi Kenway glaring at her with a look so ferocious it was as if she wanted to eat her alive.

She gritted her teeth and edged closer to Renee Jennings.

Everyone’s attention was fixed on Naomi Kenway and Renee Jennings.

“Nina, don’t you have any explanation?”

“What is there to explain? We didn’t do anything wrong.”

Renee Jennings was momentarily stunned by Naomi Kenway’s nonchalant tone, and a wave of anger surged within her.

[Did Ian really cheat? No way, we were watching the whole time. Ian definitely completed the test by himself.]

[Now that Renee Jennings mentioned it, I remember that Ian’s speed was way too fast. It was like he had memorized the answers instead of thinking them through. The school didn’t leak the questions to Naomi Kenway beforehand, did they? That would be so unfair to the other students!]

[No wonder. I was just thinking Ian’s progress was too fast. So he just memorized the questions in advance. Makes sense, there aren’t that many real geniuses out there. It’s all a persona created for marketing. But is it really okay for Naomi Kenway to exploit her child like this?]

[Stop jumping on the bandwagon in the comments! Just like Nina said, if you can’t show any proof, you’re just spreading rumors!]

[Let’s let the dust settle and see what happens next. I don’t think Naomi Kenway is that kind of person.]

[Why not? Aren’t all personas in showbiz just marketing? But what Naomi Kenway did this time is just too outrageous!]

…

A patter of footsteps approached. It was Ian. He stepped in front of Naomi Kenway, standing like a true little man.

He looked at Renee Jennings, his voice still soft and childlike. “Ma’am, you’re really annoying.”

Renee Jennings cleared her throat. “Of course you find me annoying when you have a guilty conscience.”

“How about this,” Ian said, still perfectly calm. “I can take the test again, right here, right now. And if I didn’t cheat…”

His eyes sharpened, turning as fierce and piercing as Naomi Kenway’s. “You will apologize to my mom. And you will apologize to me.”

“That won’t work, of course,” Renee Jennings said. “You’ve already memorized the questions, so naturally you have the confidence to say that. How about this: I’ll make up a few questions for you on the spot. If you answer them all correctly, I… will naturally apologize.” She added with a sigh, “I truly hope this is all a misunderstanding. After all, in my mind, Ian is just a quiet little boy.”

“Fine,” Ian agreed without a moment’s hesitation. He repeated, “You’d better remember what you just said.”

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