Chapter 226: Parent-Teacher Conference
Juniper wanted to know why Jenny bombed the midterm English exam. "Were you slacking off and not memorizing the vocab?"
Jenny shook her head. "I did! I nailed all the dictation!"
Juniper frowned, not buying it. "Then how'd you end up dead last?"
Jenny had a killer memory and a high IQ, usually picking up words faster than the other kids.
The little one pouted, looking all reluctant. "I could've aced it, but Dad wasn't home those days. I stayed up playing till midnight. During the exam, I barely got through the first part. By the time I hit the essay, I was so sleepy. When I woke up, the teacher was already collecting the papers."
Juniper was both amused and annoyed. "So, you didn't write a single word for the essay? You handed in a blank sheet?"
Jenny flipped the paper over, showing the blank essay page.
Juniper sighed. "Why's your paper all crumpled?"
Did she cry because she bombed it?
Juniper was about to comfort her, saying it was just one exam and not to stress, but Jenny looked at her with guilty, wide eyes. "Mom, if I told you, you can't laugh at me!"
"Okay, I won't laugh."
"I fell asleep during the exam and drooled on the paper."
Juniper was once again floored by Jenny.
Jenny pouted, looking unhappy. "The teacher scolded me when she collected the papers. She said she wanted to talk to Dad. I told her Dad was on a business trip. She asked me to call you. Mom, can you help me?"
Juniper didn't agree right away. "Jenny, what you did was wrong."
Jenny quickly admitted her mistake, nodding her little head. "Yes, Mom, I know. I was wrong. I won't drool on the paper next time."
Juniper rolled her eyes. "You plan to sleep during the next exam too?"
"I didn't want to sleep, but I was too sleepy and couldn't help it."
Jenny wasn't lying; she was always a good sleeper.
However, Juniper believed that Jenny needed a lesson.
Juniper put on a stern face. "Will you dare to sleep during exams in the future?"
"No! If I fall asleep again, Mom, you can tell Dad!"
Jenny was always obedient and not a troublemaker. After a few words, Juniper relented. "Alright. There's not going to be a next time. You have to take exams seriously. If you don't do well, it's a matter of ability, but a bad attitude deserves punishment."
"So, how will you punish me, Mom?" Jenny asked.
"No more juice drinks for you this month."
Jenny pouted, unhappy but still nodded. "Okay, I won't drink them. When I get an A on the final exam, Mom, you can give me juice again!"
"Alright. When's the parent-teacher conference for the midterms?"
"Tomorrow afternoon. Can you make it, Mom?" Jenny replied.
If Juniper couldn't make it, the teacher would call Magnus. If he found out, Jenny would definitely get a spanking!
Juniper was gentler; she never spanked her.
"I'll check if there are any flights back to New York tonight. If I can't make it tonight, I'll go early tomorrow morning. I'll definitely attend your parent-teacher conference," Juniper said.
Hearing the affirmative answer, Jenny spun around happily. "Mom's coming back! Mom, after the parent-teacher conference tomorrow, we have the afternoon off. Can we go see a movie together?"
Juniper looked at her indulgently, amused. "You still want to watch a movie after coming in last?"
"It's not like I'm always last. I did well before! This time was an accident!" Jenny shouted.
Juniper couldn't help but chuckle at Jenny's words.
Jenny lay on the table, her big eyes looking up at Juniper, pleading, "Mom, why can't you hang out with me? You've been in Southern City forever and haven't come back to see me. Dad and I are bored out of our minds. He doesn't even talk to me."
Her pitiful look made Juniper's heart melt.
She already felt guilty towards Jenny, and when Jenny acted all cute, she couldn't resist.
Juniper booked a flight to New York for that night.
Ronald asked, "Want me to go with you to Imperial Capital? The gang that held up the theater with guns last time is still on the loose. Who knows if they'll strike again."
Juniper replied, "Ronald, could you just drive me to the airport? Once I'm on the plane and land in New York, I should be fine."
Ronald smiled wryly. "Are you afraid Magnus will see us together and get the wrong idea?"
"No, I'm going back for Jenny's parent-teacher conference. I have to return to Windsor Group next Monday. I won't be in Imperial Capital for long. Nothing will happen."
They were chatting in the living room when Sophie peeked downstairs and then went back to her room.
She made a call, "Sir, Juniper is heading back to New York tonight."
At 8 PM, at the Night Harbor Bar's second location, Magnus had just taken his seat when Robert slid a blue cocktail his way, raising an eyebrow. "It's a new drink, try it. It's got your name written all over it."
This bar had just opened recently, with Robert as the investor.
Robert loved dabbling in these entertainment side gigs.
As his grandfather Samuel Brown said, "Why not walk the straight and narrow instead of selling booze and being unproductive?"
In contrast, Samuel was quite fond of Magnus, thinking he was much more upright than his own grandson.
Robert had felt extremely wronged at the time.
During Magnus's three years in prison, except for the initial period when he was bullied and beaten because he was disheartened by Juniper's betrayal so he didn't fight back, he later became a leader inside.
After being stabbed by someone sent by Alexander and surviving by luck, his hatred replaced his despair, and he then firmly held a leadership position in prison.
And this was considered upright?
When it came to ruthlessness, Magnus was more willing to go all out than anyone—except when it came to Juniper.
Magnus glanced at the fancy cocktail in his hand, frowning. "The place still smells like fresh paint. You brought me here to inhale formaldehyde?"
Robert grinned. "So what? I also called Michael. We are friends; you should help me."
Magnus snorted, taking a sip of the drink. "Why not call Ophelia to join us?"
"It's a guys' night. Why bring a woman? Besides, if I bring Ophelia and Michael brings Sinclair, wouldn't that make you feel awkward?"
Magnus was indifferent, replying coldly, "As if Ophelia would willingly come out with you."
With Robert, if Magnus had the chance to mock him, he would.
Magnus couldn't be bothered to expose him.
Robert said, "Can't you be happy without mocking me? Is that why Juniper went back to Southern City?"
Magnus remained silent.
The drink in his hand was special, not because of the cocktail itself, but because the glass was covered with irregular ice cubes, making the blue liquid inside look even clearer.
Magnus took another sip.
The drink burned as it went down, spicy and stimulating.
It didn't taste good.
Robert smirked. "How's the drink?"
"Did you spike it?" Magnus asked.
It tasted awful.
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