Back to My Worst Birthday and Starting Anew
Chapter 54 Conversation
“She helped me last night.”
The words were brief, but they held a deeper meaning.
Tad understood the weight of Emyr’s statement and didn’t press further.
“I understand, sir.”
He turned to leave, but Emyr called out to him.
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There was a moment of uncertainty in Emyr’s eyes. “Have you found any information about … the masked person?”
Tad hesitated for a moment, then realization struck him. “You mean the mysterious person with the fox mask?”
“Yes.”
“I’m still searching, but it’s difficult. We don’t know if the person is male or female. All we have is the mask and a pendant … I’ll keep looking.”
Emyr waved his hand dismissively. “Keep at it.”
Once Tad was gone, Emyr’s fingers idly tapped the surface of his desk.
That morning, the image of Charmaine curled up in his arms, her fists pressed against her chest, lingered in
his mind.
Her position in sleep … it reminded him of the Fox.
A fleeting image of Charmaine’s face crossed his thoughts.
Emyr shook his head quickly, pushing the thought away.
How could he even compare Charmaine to the Fox?
They were worlds apart!
In the days that followed, Emyr left Charmaine in peace, not demanding anything of her as his maid.
With some rare free time, Charmaine spent her mornings playing with the cuties in the crocodile pond. She even found moments to catch up on her schoolwork for the upcoming semester.
Before she realized it, the start of the school year arrived.
The orocodiles, now thinner thanks to Charmaine’s constant teasing, were finally able to relax.
Charmaine turned down Alfred’s offer for a ride and instead walked out of Eastlake, catching a bus to school.
By the time she got there, she was already late.
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Chapter 54 Conversation
Note to self: do not refuse Alfred’s offer.
Two years ago, Charmaine arrived at campus with plans to register, but fate had other ideas.
Unlike most freshmen, who simply received their acceptance letters and followed the usual steps, Charmaine headed straight to the registrar’s office.
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When she explained her situation to the head of academic affairs, he didn’t bother to check her records. Leaning back in his chair, he said dismissively, “You don’t need to check in. Your parents already withdrew you from school.”
Charmaine remained unfazed. “I submitted a re–enrollment application. The university website approved it and sent me confirmation. How was I supposed to know I’ve been withdrawn?”
The director shrugged, unconcerned. “The website is slow to update. Your parents came in this morning, filed the withdrawal request. It’s all in black and white.”
He produced the form. ‘Bennett‘ was boldly signed in the parent’s section, and her own signature appeared in the student’s.
Charmaine pointed to it.
“That’s not my signature. I didn’t know about this, and the withdrawal is invalid.”
The head of academic affairs looked at her as if she were a child, then burst into laughter.
“You’re cute. This is college, not a playground. If I say you’re out, you’re out.”
Charmaine’s eyes turned cold. “Oh? It’s not up to the headmaster, but it’s up to you?”
The head of academic affair’s face twisted in anger, but before he could respond, the sharp gaze of the headmaster met his.
He froze, stumbling back, nearly falling out of his chair.
With a quick recovery, he stood, forcing a smile. “Headmaster, what a surprise. How can I help you?”
The elderly principal’s hair was as white as snow, but his eyes still gleamed with vitality. “I wouldn’t have known Eragos University had a new leader if I hadn’t shown up,” he said, his voice stern.
The head of academic affair’s smile faltered.
“Headmaster, you don’t understand. This student took a leave of absence two years ago without warning. Her parents came in and withdrew her. I’m just following the rules.”
“Rules?” Charmaine scoffed.
“Article 38 of Eragos University’s policy states that a student must be present in person should they wish to withdraw from school. Any request made or signed without their presence is null and void. So, are you telling me you just made up this ‘rule‘?”
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The director’s face reddened, but Charmaine didn’t pay him any attention.
Instead, she turned to the principal, her tone calm but firm.
There was something swirling in the old man’s eyes, while Charmaine remained calm and collected as she
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Chapter 54 Conversation
told him her story.
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“Two years ago, I had an accident and couldn’t return home. But I followed all proper steps to take a leave of absence. Now that I’ve met all the re–enrollment requirements, I had no idea about this withdrawal. And Bennett is no longer my father. He has no right to do this.”
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