Chapter 1097

Fiona gently squeezed Stella's shoulder. "Although it sounds hollow, I believe Mason wouldn't want you to be so unhappy and in so much pain because of his departure."

"Of course not." Stella forced a smile, tears slipping from the corners of her eyes. She gently wiped them away. "He was always such a great kid."

Fiona nodded gently.

Making the most of the last days of vacation, Chicago was sleeping in.

Holding her bunny plush, she groggily came downstairs.

"I need some time alone to clear my mind. You go take care of Chicago," Stella said softly.

Fiona knew Stella probably needed some space. So she nodded and walked towards Chicago.

Charles got up early and had breakfast with Darwin.

Now Chicago had to eat by herself.

Fiona sat across from her and noticed she seemed a bit down. "What's wrong? Didn't you sleep well?"

Chicago stirred the fresh berries on her plate and shook her head. "Mom, did I do something wrong? Ethan is ignoring me."

Since coming back from North Alabama, Ethan hadn't replied to any of Chicago's messages.

"Ignoring you?" Fiona asked.

Chicago was very upset. "No matter what I message him, whether it's about homework or asking how he's adjusting there, he doesn't reply."

As she said this, Fiona suddenly remembered that after Ethan left last time, he hadn't replied to her messages either.

She had so many daily chores to deal with, so she hadn't really noticed.

"Ethan just got there. He probably has a lot to do and hasn't had the time," Fiona comforted gently.

"What if he just hates me and doesn't want to talk to me anymore?" Chicago looked up at Fiona. Since returning to Armie, she cherished every friend she made.

Besides, Ethan was her lifesaver and had helped her improve her studies, making her top of the class.

To her, Ethan was really important.

Fiona thought for a moment.

In the end, she didn't lie to Chicago and said gently but seriously, "That's Ethan's choice, right? You should respect his choice and not blame yourself for someone else's decisions."

"But why would he choose that? I can't figure out what I did wrong," Chicago mumbled, feeling wronged.

Fiona looked at her. "Answer me, have you bullied Ethan? Did you do anything to hurt him?"

"Never! Grandma Janna said to learn to respect others, and I really respect Ethan!" Chicago said quickly.

"That's right." Fiona spread her hands. "As long as you have a clear conscience, that's all that matters. After all, you can't control other people's thoughts and decisions, can you?"

Chicago sighed again.

She understood the reasoning, but she still felt a bit sad and disappointed.

After a while, she murmured, "Mom, without Ethan, I won't be able to be top of the class anymore." 

"Are you getting discouraged so easily?" Fiona's tone was faint. "If it were me, I definitely wouldn't let my grades slip just because Ethan left, making it seem like I can't do well without him. Chicago, can't you do it?"

Chicago looked up at Fiona.

Suddenly, she felt a surge of determination. "Why can't I? I can do it!"

Fiona almost couldn't hold back her laughter.

Then she nodded. "I think you can too, so don't be discouraged, okay? Keep it up!"

"Okay!" Chicago nodded vigorously and then continued eating breakfast.

While eating, she kept muttering, "I'm Dad and Mom's daughter, so, of course, I can do it!"

Darwin said that Ethan left home at a young age to attend the world's top school!

And when they met again in the future, Ethan might be at a top school, and she would be at an ordinary one.

That wouldn't do!

After breakfast, Chicago grabbed her papers and went to the doghouse.

She kept Jessie company while working on her exercises.
The Substitute's Revenge: From Secretary to Queen
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