chapter242
Bianca shook her head. “I wanted to ask if Winnie’s been picked up?”
Ms. Fry’s brow furrowed slightly at Winnie’s name. “Winnie? She didn’t come today.”
Bianca froze, then grew restless.
She worried Winnie skipped school because no one brought her.
Though kindergarten attendance wasn’t crucial, Bianca believed in rules and hated seeing bad habits form.
Her concern deepened.
As Bianca prepared to leave, Ms. Fry called out, “Kellie’s aunt?”
Bianca looked back curiously. “Yes, Ms. Fry?”
“Kellie’s such a sweet child,” Ms. Fry beamed. “Her work is excellent, classmates adore her, she’s like a little angel everywhere. We all love her. Having such a wonderful child truly brightens our kindergarten.”
Bianca felt happy hearing this and thanked Ms. Fry for the praise.
Still, she casually asked, “And Winnie?
How’s she doing?”
At Winnie’s name, Ms. Fry instinctively frowned.
After a pause, she replied carefully, “Perhaps due to her home situation,
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Winnie’s become rather domineering. She often spits at classmates. We’ve repeatedly corrected her, but she won’t listen. Now she hardly has any friends left.”
Ms. Fry’s words made Bianca Watts feel a chill run down her spine.
Fortunately, Ms. Fry had other matters to attend to, so their conversation ended quickly.
After careful consideration, Bianca decided to visit Harmony Residence to check on Winnie Avery.
During the drive, Ms. Fry’s words echoed relentlessly in Bianca’s mind.
Winnie had always been such a well–behaved child. How had things come to this?
When Bianca first started working, Winnie was just four–polite, lively, and bright. Strangers often stopped during walks to ask her age and compliment her looks.
Now, Winnie couldn’t even make friends.
Even Kellie Watts seemed to dislike her.
At Harmony Residence, Bianca found no sign of Winnie in the living room. Katelyn Leach bustled in the kitchen while Maxine lounged on the sofa watching TV and munching roasted seeds.
Hearing footsteps, Maxine glanced up. Her eyes instantly filled with disdain upon seeing Bianca.
Ignoring her, Bianca headed straight for the kitchen.
Katelyn looked puzzled. “Ma’am?”
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Bianca cut to the chase. “Where’s Winnie?”
“Miss Winnie’s ‘upstairs.”
“Why didn’t she go to school today?”
Katelyn hesitated. “Sir called this morning asking me to take her. But when I tried, Winnie complained of tummy ache.”
A dark suspicion flickered in Bianca’s heart.
Was she avoiding school because everyone disliked her there?
The thought twisted Bianca’s insides.
Noticing her distress, Katelyn almost spoke but instead asked, “Will you dine here tonight?”
Bianca snapped back to attention. “Yes. I’ll check on Winnie upstairs.”
“Very well.”
Tiptoeing to Winnie’s bedroom door, Bianca peered inside without entering.
Winnie sat alone at the tea table, listlessly pushing toys around.
Not a trace of smile touched her face.
Bianca’s heart clenched unexpectedly.
She finally knocked.
Winnie whirled toward the sound, instinctively blurting, “Sheng-”
The name died mid–syllable. Her fleeting smile vanished instantly.
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Bianca saw stark disappointment flood her daughter’s small face.
An invisible knife twisted in her chest.
Still, she stepped inside.
Settling beside Winnie on the sofa, Bianca leaned close. “Tell Mommy, sweetheart. Why skip school today?”
Winnie hadn’t looked at her since she entered. Hadn’t uttered a word.
Now, the child froze at the question.
But Winnie stayed silent.
Bianca saw she wasn’t answering. After a long sigh, she called patiently again, “Winnie?”
Winnie kept playing with her toys, still refusing to answer.
Seeing this, Bianca’s voice rose involuntarily: “Winnie!”
She was angry now, using her full name.
But even then, Winnie ignored Bianca.
Bianca stood up, ready to scold Winnie, but seeing her complete disregard, she abandoned the idea.
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