Chapter 281 Exploiting the Situation
Emma clenched her fists, her tone unusually firm. "No, Luann wouldn't lie to me."
"I believe her; she must have already found a solution for me."
"Luann never does anything without certainty!"
Lily helplessly supported her forehead.
"Luann, what have you been telling Emma?" Lily asked sharply.
Luann rested her chin on Myron's shoulder, calmly observing the scene before her. She blinked in confusion, with a hint of cunning like a young girl.
"Misunderstanding." Luann replied.
Seeing her reluctance to answer directly, Lily turned to Vito Curtis. "Dad!"
"Why don't you give us a fair assessment?"
"Emma was doing well at school, so why did Luann have to meddle?"
"What exactly does she mean?"
"Does she want to stir up chaos in our family?"
Vito Curtis sat there with a serious expression, remaining silent for a long time.
Diana spoke up, "Luann just gave Emma a suggestion; whether to act on it is up to her."
"Emma is an adult now, not a child with impaired judgment."
Lily sneered, "Emma has never been the brightest; a few words from Luann could easily sway her."
Diana, noticing Lily's attempt to divert the topic, directly asked Emma. "Emma, do you really want to drop out of school?"
Emma hesitated for a moment, her gaze involuntarily shifting towards Luann.
Lily noticed this small gesture and immediately snapped. "Why are you always looking at her? Is she your mother or something?"
Emma trembled, biting her lip, timidly saying, "I..."
"You see? Dad, this is Emma's nature. A little pressure, and she'll comply," Lily glared at Luann. "Who knows what Luann said to make Emma do this?"
"Luann made such a big mistake at the company that she lost her position as director. She might hold a grudge against us and do something", Grace speculated slowly.
Lily nodded. The two of them echoed each other. "Thank goodness Ross came over, or we wouldn't have known about this big issue."
Grace added. "If Emma really dropped out of school, it would have been irreversible."
Ross waved his hand. "It's what I should do."
"It's not a big deal, we just need to talk it out."
"Emma, if you have any grievances in the future, talk to me directly. No need to sulk behind our backs, talking about dropping out, how childish."
Lily reassured. "Ross, don't worry. It's partly my fault for not spending enough time with her, allowing her to listen to gossip."
"This child has always been easily influenced."
Luann, who had been silent, suddenly pointed at Emma. "You should pay attention to your daughter's expression."
Lily turned her head and saw signs of tears in Emma's eyes. "Crying like this, can't you be a bit stronger like your sister?"
Lily sighed, feeling disappointed in Emma.
Emma bit her lip and gathered courage. "But I want to drop out! It has nothing to do with Luann! It's my own decision!"
"What nonsense are you talking!" Lily shouted.
Emma retorted, "I'm not making it up! It's true! You've always been like this since I was young, never caring about what I like or what I want to do, just forcing me into things, only concerned about your peace of mind. Have you ever truly considered what I..."
Before Emma could finish her accusations, Lily slapped her. "How dare you speak to me like that?"
"Look at what Luann has turned you into!"
Emma covered her face, silent and stunned.
Luann's previously smiling face turned grim. "If you cared to understand, you would know that what Emma is learning now is not what she likes. Why is she failing and not completing her credits every year? Have you ever thought about it?"
Lily spat out without thinking. "She's just stupid! Useless inherited her father's lack of intelligence!"
Her father, who had been quiet, remained unfazed by the comment.
Ross intervened at the right moment. "Let's all calm down. Many children start not liking their majors, but as they learn, they get used to it."
"Besides, Emma is very smart..."
Luann coldly interrupted. "Ross."
"You just said you intend to take Emma as a student?"
Ross nodded, "Yes."
Luann's lips curled expressionlessly. "But I remember, all the students you've taken in the past have been geniuses in their fields."
"Take Miss White, for example; she was top of her class that year; that's why you noticed her."
"You, who have such high standards, are considering taking Emma?"
"That seems unlikely."
Ross waved his hand. "Rules are dead, people are alive."
"I pay more attention to the relationship between me and the students."
"I feel that Emma is a good girl, so..."
Luann calmly said, "Is that so? I thought you were using this situation to your advantage because of some personal grudge between me, Myron, and you."
With that statement, everyone turned to look at her.
"What personal grudge?"
Ross smiled awkwardly. "It's nothing serious; I'm not that petty. Miss Weaver's words are defamatory."
Luann ignored his words and called out Emma's name. "What are you planning to do?"
Grace spoke before Emma. "She absolutely cannot drop out of school!"
Luann smiled slyly. "So, when do you think, with Emma's abilities, she will graduate?"
"Or rather, can she even graduate?"
As long as Ross intentionally wanted to block Emma with her failing grades, lost credits, and unfinished artwork, the outcome was clear.
Grace and Luann locked eyes with sharp, tense energy spreading between them.
Just as the tension was about to snap, Ross, like a good person, spoke up again.
"Actually, Emma dropping out isn't impossible."
"As long as she can find a good teacher to guide her, all problems can be solved."
"I heard Emma say that Miss Weaver will find her a good teacher."
"I'm curious: what's the name of the person you're looking for, where do they work, and what awards have they won?"
Luann cut in decisively. "Her teacher is me."
