Chapter 13
Niamh quickly covered Beau’s mouth. “What’s the point of calling your mom now? Do you think she can make you win first place?”
Beau choked back tears, and his blurred gaze shifted toward where Bambi stood.
Bambi’s craft project was already labeled as an Outstanding Work. She was standing in line at the edge of the stage, waiting for her turn to present.
“Mommy can definitely help Bambi win first place!”
Niamh scoffed with a sneer. “Bambi won’t win first place!”
Beau’s tearful eyes were filled with disbelief as he stared at Niamh
“You don’t believe me?”
Niamh smirked and gently squeezed Beau’s shoulder. “Just watch me!”
Nearby, Bambi had a large plastic bag beside her, containing her craft project. With a sly smile, Niamh walked over and casually pressed her foot onto the bag
Bambi noticed Niamh’s movement out of the corner of her eye. Though she was much shorter than Niamh, Bambi was quick.
She grabbed Niamh’s ankle and flipped her over completely with a strong tug.
“Ack!” Niamh let out a scream as she hit the ground, clutching her arm in pain. She yelled out furiously, “Bambi Fisher, did you just push me?”
Bambi replied, “You almost stepped on my craft project!”
Still sitting on the floor, Niamh cradled her bruised elbow. “Did you see me doing that? You pushed me on purpose!”
Though Niamh knew Bambi was naturally strong, she never expected the little girl to flip a grown woman who was over 100 pounds with such ease.
“Bambi!” Seeing Niamh arguing with her daughter, Elara hurried over.
Noticing Harvey approaching, Niamh immediately began complaining. “I lost my balance, and your daughter suddenly grabbed my ankle and flipped me! If I hadn’t reacted quickly, my head could’ve hit the ground!”
Niamh painted a dramatic picture, and Harvey felt compelled to act as he knew his daughter’s strength. “Bambi, apologize to Niamh.”
The authority in her father’s voice left no room for defiance
Bambi’s face flushed red with anger. “Aunt Niamh almost stepped on my craft project!”
Niamh retorted, “Did I actually step on it? No! You’re just targeting me!”
Elara pulled Bambi to her side, and the girl clung to her mother’s leg like a little bird seeking shelter. Her stubborn face was flushed as she glared at Niamh. She was puffed up like an indignant frog
Elara glanced up at the ceiling and calmly told Harvey, “We should check the surveillance footage before deciding who’s at fault.”
She then instructed the teacher to retrieve the footage.
1/2
Chapter 13
+25 BONUS
Bridget quickly brought an iPad with the video loaded. “I reviewed the footage. It’s clear that Ms. Jones almost stepped on Bambi’s craft project.”
Bridget handed the iPad to Elara and Harvey to watch. Elara tilted her chin toward Niamh and said coldly,” Apologize to my daughter.”
Niamh’s expression twisted with indignation. “Elara, do you really have to go this far? I didn’t even damage Bambi’s project!”
She then rubbed her sore back as her face contorted in frustration.
“I won’t blame you for hurting me, Bambi,” Niamh said.
Bambi’s expression was icy as she countered, “The walkway is huge, yet you deliberately aimed for my craft project. You’re clearly up to no good!”
“How could you think that about me, Bambi?”
“I want Aunt Niamh to apologize!”
Niamh sneered dismissively. “I won’t stoop to your level.”
“Apologize to Bambi,” Harvey’s voice cut through, startling Niamh.
“Harvey, do you think I did it on purpose?” Niamh asked.
She then added with a bitter laugh, “Even if I did, did Bambi actually suffer any losses?”
Bambi huffed angrily. “Are you going to apologize or not?”
“Bambi, it’s almost your turn to go onstage,” Bridget reminded her.
Niamh chuckled. “If you win first place, I’ll apologize to you. How about that?”
Bambi agreed without hesitation. “There’s no backing out, Aunt Niamh! If I win first place, you’ll apologize to me and my craft project!”
