Dumping The Ice King His Mini-Tyrant novel Chapter 396

Clarissa curled her lips into a mocking half-smile, her contempt plain as day. “Oh, I knew it. No matter what you perform, you’ll always get picked. Lucky you, having a father on the school board.”

Around them, the parents exchanged loaded glances.

Selene spoke up. “Ms. Vaughn, did Harrison actually say something to you?”

Clarissa didn’t hesitate. “No, he didn’t.”

“Then you’re just spreading rumors?” Selene pressed. “My daughter’s act was chosen by the arts department—what does that have to do with your family?”

Clarissa lifted her chin, her eyes flashing. Ever since Selene’s divorce from Harrison, she’d looked at Selene the way a queen might glance at an ant underfoot.

“Oh, come on. The arts teachers only approved her performance because Harrison’s on the board.”

Selene smiled, unruffled by Clarissa’s provocation. She had no intention of justifying herself or arguing about whether her daughter had gotten special treatment.

Instead, she asked, “Ms. Vaughn, have you prepared your apology letter?”

Clarissa froze for a split second, caught off guard by the shift in topic. But she recovered quickly—she’d been ready for this.

“Of course I have! The real question is, does your daughter have what it takes to make me actually read it out loud?”

Selene saw she’d taken the bait and smiled even more warmly. “Let me see your apology letter first. If I haven’t read it, who knows what you’ll say on stage?”

Her tone was gentle, almost soothing—nothing grating in her words. Maybe it was her soft features, but it was hard for anyone to feel threatened by Selene.

Ms. Hughes read a line, then pointed out, “There is a grammar issue right here.”

Selene smiled. “I’m not satisfied with this apology, Ms. Vaughn. The competition hasn’t started yet—why don’t you rewrite it while there’s still time?”

Clarissa snapped, “Your daughter only got in because of Harrison’s influence! She might not even win first place!”

Selene’s lips curved into a delicate, pink smile. “I’m only thinking of you. If you don’t fix this apology letter, you’ll end up embarrassing yourself in front of all the other parents.”

Her gaze shifted to Penelope, who immediately dropped her eyes. Remembering how she’d once been slapped and scolded by Clarissa just for accepting a piece of candy from Selene, Penelope shrank back, hiding behind Clarissa for protection.

Selene noticed and turned away, just as a group of bodyguards entered with Altair Vaughn in tow.