4
An officer asked my mother, “Ms. Vance, how many children did you give birth to that year?”
My mother replied self–righteously, “I only gave birth to this wretched creature! I’m her mother; wouldn’t I know her? She must have used some trick. Anyway, she definitely blew up the school!” She then urged, “Officers, arrest her immediately and sentence her to death!”
Dr. Lee frowned. “What kind of mother are you? She’s your own daughter, how can you speak of her that way?”
My mother scanned Dr. Lee from head to toe, then let out a cold sneer. “Hmph! I see! No wonder she could slip out unnoticed–she must have managed to seduce you! You’re the one who helped her blow up the school!”
Dr. Lee, both embarrassed and angry, retorted, “Ms. Vance, you are a public educator! It doesn’t matter what you say about me, but Claire is still a young girl! How can you speak of her like that? What will become of her future?”
My mother replied indifferently, “A wretch is a wretch, no matter what I say about her, she’ll always be a wretch!”
The police grew suspicious at this point; my mother’s behavior certainly didn’t seem like that of a biological parent. He dispatched someone to the hospital to investigate the circumstances of my mother’s delivery that year. My mother flew into a rage. “What are you police officers good for, wanting to investigate further?! I was pregnant! Do you think I wouldn’t even know how many children gave birth to?!”
At this moment, everyone was utterly bewildered. My mother monologued, continuously fanning the flames of the School Board Chairman’s anger. But the Chairman also realized that things were far from simple and decided to wait for the police’s further investigation. I, too, was waiting.
Soon, an officer arrived, excitedly announcing. “The forensic unit just found a fingerprint at the scene. After comparison, it’s iden cal to Claire Reynolds‘!”
In an instant, I became the target of all scorn once more. I was utterly shocked, unable to comprehend how they had managed this. Everyone present wanted to devour me. Even Dr. Lee looked deeply disappointed. “No wonder even your own mother curses you. It seems you truly are innately wicked, I was deceived by your innocent appearance!”
Bethany looked at me, her eyes filled with triumph. “Claire, confess everything once you’re inside! Maybe the judge will spare your
life!”
The Chairman’s eyes seemed to spit fire as he looked at me. “If the judge spares her life, who will bring my son back to me?!”
At that critical moment, a black Maybach slowly pulled up. I was frantic. “Stop this grand entrance! They’re about to kill me!
