After dawdling for quite a while, the call was finally made.

Certain that no one would answer, William Brooks lowered her eyes, already thinking about how to deal with David Foster's mother.

Unexpectedly, just a few seconds later—

“Dad…” Edward Sutton's timid voice came through, “Can you come to school…”

William Brooks jerked her head up.

It actually connected this easily?

But the next second, Edward Sutton said “Hello” twice, then blinked nervously, clutching the phone with trembling hands.

“He hung up…”

William Brooks: “Hu-hung up?”

“What kind of person is this?!”

David Foster's mother slammed the table and stood up. “Call again!”

Mrs. Foster startled Edward Sutton, then turned to William Brooks and said, “You saw it yourself— with that attitude, how can I feel at ease letting my child be in the same class as his?”

William Brooks knew that unless Ethan Sutton responded today, Mrs. Foster would not let this go.

So she took the phone and called herself.

After a few seconds of ringing, the call was answered.

Before William Brooks could speak, Ethan Sutton, barely suppressing his irritation, said, “Do I look like I have nothing better to do, Edward Sutton? If you have a problem, go find your—”

“Edward Sutton's father.”

William Brooks interrupted him, saying, “This is Mr. Brooks, Edward Sutton's homeroom teacher.”

There was a two-second silence on the other end.

Then Ethan Sutton's voice dropped, still tinged with drowsiness, “Did he get into another fight at school?”

“No, he was very well-behaved today.”

William Brooks glanced at Mrs. Foster, cleared her throat, and said seriously, “But regarding the fight yesterday, another student's mother would like to talk with you. When would you be able to come to the school?”

She knew Ethan Sutton definitely wouldn’t come, but she still had to say everything.

“It won’t take much of your time, and it will help Edward Sutton get along better with his classmates. Please, could you make some time to come by, no matter what?”

“I really am busy, I don’t have time.”

Ethan Sutton paused for a moment, sighed, and said, “I’ll come after school.”

“Mm, mm, I understand you’re busy—” William Brooks suddenly stopped, unsure if she’d misheard. “What did you say?”

“I said,” Ethan Sutton enunciated, “I’ll come after school.”

“…Alright, got it.”

After hanging up, William Brooks stared blankly for two seconds before handing the phone back to Mrs. Foster.

Why is this person so unpredictable?

Though she didn’t understand, William Brooks dutifully relayed, “His father can’t make it during the day, but he’ll come after school. Is that okay?”

Mrs. Foster was actually not very satisfied, but remembering she had things to do later, she reluctantly nodded.

“Fine, I’ll come after school then. Be on time.”

-

The whole day, aside from teaching her two classes, William Brooks was distracted.

Ethan Sutton actually agreed to come to school.

William Brooks had little experience handling disputes between parents, let alone when one of them was a hugely popular celebrity.

She didn’t know what would happen once David Foster's mother recognized Ethan Sutton.

Would everyone soon know that Ethan Sutton had a child over seven years old?

Would Edward Sutton still be able to live and study normally?

And as a teacher, how should she handle the curiosity of the class and the school toward Edward Sutton?

With all these thoughts swirling, the end of the school day arrived in a flash.

Within minutes of the bell ringing, David Foster's mother was already waiting in the office with her child.

A while later, Edward Sutton also came to the office.

Two adults and two children sat facing each other, not in the mood for small talk, the atmosphere a bit tense.

With his mother backing him up, David Foster leisurely started on his homework.

Edward Sutton, on the other hand, was anxious, pretending to doodle with his pen, sneaking glances at William Brooks from time to time.

Half an hour later, most of the students had left, and the campus was as quiet as a small park on the outskirts. Thick black clouds pushed the daylight away, and in the blink of an eye, the sky turned as dark as night.

David Foster's mother grew impatient, tapping the table. “Didn’t he say he’d come after school? It’s been over half an hour! Mr. Brooks, call him again!”

William Brooks thought Ethan Sutton was probably going to bail, and actually felt relieved.

Just as she picked up her phone, the office door was knocked.

William Brooks looked toward the door, paused, and said a bit awkwardly, “Edward Sutton's parent is here…”

Mrs. Foster immediately turned around, about to speak, but the word “you” got stuck in her throat when she saw who it was.

The sky was already dark, and Ethan Sutton was dressed in a black hoodie and black pants. Though slender, he was tall and striking, blocking what little sunlight remained and making the small office feel even heavier.

What’s more, he wore a black mask.

Most of his face was covered, only a pair of pitch-black eyes showing, yet his unique aura was unmistakable.

He drew attention without trying, nothing like the ordinary people you see on the street.

Mrs. Foster clearly hadn’t expected Edward Sutton's father to show up looking like this.