The Unwanted Wife and Her Secret Twins (Mia and Kyle) novel Chapter 341

ter 341 On the school board

Chapter 341 On the school board

Mia’s POV

“Could we talk?” Ms. Rodriguez reached us, slightly out of breath.

“Of course,” I said, “Is everything alright?”

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Ms. Rodriguez glanced down at the children, then back at me. “Perhaps we could step inside? The principal would like to speak with you as well.”

The principal?

“Kids,” I said, forcing my voice to remain steady, “why don’t you go to your classroom? I’ll be there in just a minute.”

Ethan looked up at me with those serious brown eyes that were so much like Kyle’s.

“Nothing happened, sweetheart. I just need to talk to your teacher about some grown–up stuff.”

Madison’s grip on my hand tightened. “Do I have to go to class?”

I knelt down to her level, meeting her gaze. Her face was still little pale from yesterday.

“You’re not in trouble either, Madison. But yes, you need to go to class. Alexander and Ethan will look after you, okay?”

She nodded, but I could see the fear.

I watched them walk toward the building, Alexander taking Madison’s free hand while Ethan flanked her other side. They moved like a small protective unit.

“They’re good boys,” Ms. Rodriguez said softly, following my gaze.

“They are.” I turned back to her, steeling myself. “What’s this about?”

“Why don’t we go inside?”

The walk through the school corridors felt endless, our footsteps echoing off polished linoleum floors decorated with construction paper turkeys and hand–drawn family portraits. The familiar scents of cafeteria food and industrial–strength floor cleaner couldn’t quite mask the underlying tension that seemed to pulse through the building.

Principal Hayes was waiting in her office, but she wasn’t alone.

Kyle sat in one of the visitor chairs across from her desk, sharp angles of his cheekbones and the dark circles under his eyes.

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Chapter 341 On the school board

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He was everywhere but hospital.

Despite his obvious illness, despite the fact that he’d been in a hospital bed less than twelve hours ago, Kyle sat with the absolute stillness of a predator. His hands were folded in his lap.

“Mrs. Williams,” Principal Hayes stood, her smile professional but strained. “Thank you for coming in. I believe you know Mr.Maxwell.

Kyle’s eyes met mine across the office.

“We’ve met,” I said carefully.

“Mr.Maxwell is on our school board,” Principal Hayes continued, settling back behind her desk. ” He’s taken a particular interest in the situation involving Madison and the incident yesterday.”

Kyle had never mentioned the whole thing. But then again, Kyle had never mentioned a lot of things.

“What situation?” I asked.

Principal Hayes glanced at Kyle, who gave an almost imperceptible nod.

“We’ve reviewed the security footage from yesterday’s lunch period,” she said. “The children who were spreading rumors about Madison’s family situation didn’t come up with those stories on their own. Someone provided them with very specific information about the legal proceedings involving

Victoria Whitmore.”

“Someone?”

“A parent,” Kyle said. His voice was hoarse but steady, carrying that particular edge that meant he was operating on a level of control that was costing him significant effort. “Someone who felt it was appropriate to share adult legal matters with their five–year–old child and encourage that child to use those details to torment Madison.”

The temperature in the room seemed to drop several degrees.

“Who?” I asked.

“Jennifer Hartwell,” he said. “Mother of Emma Hartwell, age five. ”

I knew the name. Emma was in Alexander’s class, a little girl with blonde pigtails who’d always seemed sweet enough during school events. Jennifer Hartwell was one of those perfectly put- together mothers who volunteered for everything and had opinions about classroom snack policies.

Principal Hayes cleared her throat. “Mr. Maxwell, as I mentioned when you arrived, we appreciate your concern, but the school district has specific protocols for handling-”

“The school district’s protocols,” Kyle interrupted. There was something in his tone that made

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Chapter 341 On the school board

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could muster.

“I’m not suggesting you did,” Kyle replied. “But I want to understand what happened yesterday at lunch. Can you tell me what you said to Madison?”

Emma’s defiance wavered. “I just… I just told her what Mommy said about her mom being bad.”

“What specifically did you tell her?”

“That her mom tried to hurt people and that’s why she can’t live with her anymore.” Emma’s voice got smaller with each word. “And that maybe Madison is bad too because sometimes bad kids have bad moms.”

“Emma,” Kyle said, “Those words hurt Madison very badly. Do you understand that?”

Emma nodded, her eyes filling with tears.

“Good,” Kyle said. “Now I want you to go with Principal Hayes to her assistant’s office. There are some books there you can look at while I talk to your parents.”

Principal Hayes stood immediately, clearly grateful for an excuse to leave the room. “Of course.

Come on,

Emma.”

After they left, Kyle’s demeanor shifted completely. The gentle patience he’d shown the child evaporated, replaced by something cold and implacable.

“Mrs. Hartwell,” he said.

Jennifer’s face went pale. “I… I was just concerned about the other children’s safety…”

Jennifer’s husband spoke up. “My wife was acting out of legitimate concern for our daughter’s safety

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Kyle turned his attention to the man. “You know Victoria Whitmore.”

“I… what?” Jennifer stammered. “I don’t know Victoria Whitmore. I’ve never even met her.”

Kyle said nothing.

“I can explain-” Jennifer added.

Kyle closed the folder and slid it back toward himself. “Here’s what’s going to happen. You’re going to withdraw Emma from this school immediately.”

“You can’t make us leave the school,” Jennifer’s husband said, though his voice shook. “We have rights-”

“Your choice.” Kyle said without looking her.

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