There's No Turning Back (Elara and Harvey) novel Chapter 71

Elara turned to her daughter and asked, "Merida, do you still want to study at Summit Academy?"

Merida looked toward the crowd, spotting Shirley and Paisley gazing at her with eager eyes.

They had already entered the school, but with all the commotion at the entrance—James being taken away, the Office of Compliance and Ethics launching an investigation, and several school administrators and teachers being called in for questioning—the younger students, in particular, had lost all focus in class.

The kindergarteners stood near the gate, craning their necks. They were more interested in the spectacle than in their lessons, even if they didn't quite understand what was happening.

Merida turned to the parents and said, "You need to offer a formal apology to me and my mommy. Only then will I consider returning to Summit Academy."

She was only five years old, but she had already sensed the hostility from teachers, classmates, and parents ever since she became Merida Jones.

When these very parents had sided with the former principal to push her out of school, it had deeply hurt her.

After all, she had done nothing wrong.

Why was being Merida Jones something these parents saw as disgraceful and contemptible?

"Bambi, sweetheart," one of the parents softened their tone.

"My name is Merida Jones," she corrected firmly.

The parents pursed their lips, briefly exchanging glances before looking up at Elara, who stood beside her daughter. Her support for her daughter was unwavering.

One of them was about to lecture Merida, but another quickly nudged her, signaling her to hold back.

With polite, albeit forced, smiles, the parents bowed slightly and said, "Merida Jones, Ms. Jones, we were wrong earlier. We sincerely apologize.

"I really hope Merida stays at Summit Academy. My daughter is your good friend—you wouldn't want to be separated from her, would you?"

The hardest part for Merida was leaving the friends she had made at Summit Academy.

She turned to Elara and asked, "Mommy, is there a way to make sure they truly understand their mistakes and genuinely regret what they did?"

Elara thought for a moment before replying, "I recall that several of you have personal social media accounts.

"If you truly want to ensure that my daughter is never discriminated against at Summit Academy again, then you should publicly acknowledge your past actions and issue an apology on your personal accounts."

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