Chapter 14
“Alright, alright, whatever you say.” Niamh dismissed Bambi completely, not taking her seriously.
The competition at this prestigious kindergarten was fierce with many children producing better crafts and delivering more polished speeches than Bambi.
Niamh had just looked over the other Outstanding Works crafts and believed Bambi’s chances of taking first place were slim.
Bambi walked onto the stage carrying her craft project. She wore her school uniform: a white long–sleeve blouse paired with a red plaid skirt. Her hair was styled into two round buns, giving her an endearing look
Her sweet and lively features caught the audience’s eye. He long lashes framed her dark, bright eyes beautifully.
But whispers started among the parents as soon as Bambi stepped onto the stage.
“Doesn’t the Fisher girl look a little chubby?” one murmured.
Another parent snickered, “A little chubby? That’s putting it lightly.”
The two shared a knowing laugh. In this elite school, the wealthy mothers ensured their daughters were raised with delicate appearances and slender frames.
Bambi’s sturdy build made her stand out as an anomaly among the girls
Standing tall, Bambi presented her project to the parents and judges below.
“This is a model of the Celestial Crane Tower, a project I completed with my mom. We scaled it down to one hundredth of its original size.”
As Bambi finished speaking her introduction, her gaze flickered toward the teleprompter behind the camera that was now inexplicably blacked out.
Elara noticed the subtle change in Bambi’s expression and swiftly turned to see the teleprompter had indeed gone dark. She also noticed an older woman walking toward her
Elara opened her mouth, instinctively wanting to say “Mom“, but stopped herself.
“Madam Foster.”
“Mom.”
Elara and Harvey spoke at the same time.
After greeting her former mother–in–law, Elara moved toward the control area, intending to find out what had caused the teleprompter to go offline.
Ethel abruptly grabbed Elara’s wrist. “I told them to turn it off.”
Elara stared at her in shock. “Madam Foster, why would you do that?”
“If Bambi wins this, how do you think Beau will feel? Elara, as their mother, don’t you know how to treat them equally?” Her gaze brimmed with disapproval and disappointment.
“If treating them equally means letting Bambi face unfairness and humiliation, then I’ll gladly flip this so–called balance over!” Elara snapped as she yanked her arm free.
Ethel lowered her voice as she scolded Elara, “Elara! Is this how a mother behaves? Is this how a Mrs. Fisher is supposed to act?”
Charter 14
+25 BONUS
At that moment, Bambi’s voice filled the auditorium through the microphone.
“The Celestial Crane Tower stands atop Skyspike Hill, overlooking the Silver Serpent River. The main tower is designed in a unique octagonal structure, with five tiers of flying eaves and a spired golden roof supported by 72 intricately carved pillars…”
Elara turned her head sharply toward the stage. Despite the teleprompter’s blackout, Bambi continued her speech with poise.
The parents in the audience murmured in amazement.
“Is she delivering the speech from memory? That’s incredible!”
“Even if my son had a script, he’d still stumble over words like that!”
“Has Elara really trained her daughter to this level? How extraordinary!”
“In ancient tales, the crane soared away, leaving behind only the towering monument…”
As Bambi’s crisp, clear voice echoed through the hall, Harvey glanced at Elara’s profile. Her focus was entirely on her daughter, and her bright eyes were gleaming with pride
“The crane then flew away, never to return again…”
Elara smiled, and Harvey felt as though he could hear the faint rustle of wings flapping in the air.
The birds that had flown away from the Fisher family were now soaring toward a vast, open world. He knew then that they would never come back.
