Sophia's face was pinched with displeasure, and her voice dripped with thinly veiled disdain.
"Honestly, Shayera," she drawled, her gaze sweeping over the chaotic scene.
"It's always something with your children. Releasing butterflies into the cafeteria? It's utterly disruptive and completely unacceptable!"
Shayera ignored Sophia's barbed comments, focusing instead on her children. She sat down on a nearby chair, maintaining a calm demeanor despite the rising tension in the room. She looked at Aella and Zephyr, her expression gentle and encouraging.
"Little Star, Little Galaxy," she said softly, using their affectionate nicknames.
"Tell mama what happened. I know you guys don't start things unless you are provoked."
Aella, the bolder of the two, stepped forward first.
"But Mama," she protested, her lower lip trembling slightly.
"Mama JeanLuc pulled on my hair!" Aella said.
"Yeah and it was him who released the butterflies not us!" Zephyr said as he puffed out his chest.
"Hehe Sophia your son started it how can you shift the blame to my little ones?" Shayera asked.
Sophia's face flushed a deep crimson, her carefully constructed composure momentarily shattered. She sputtered indignantly, clutching her son closer to her chest as if shielding him from Shayera's sudden aggression.
"Don't you dare accuse my JeanLuc!" she retorted, her voice rising in pitch.
"He's a perfect angel! He would never intentionally cause such a disturbance."
Shayera raised an eyebrow skeptically, her gaze unwavering. The subtle threat in her posture was unmistakable—a silent warning that she wouldn't tolerate any further attempts to deflect blame. Rolling up her sleeves was a classic display of readiness for confrontation, and it clearly unnerved Sophia.
"Oh really?" Shayera drawled, her voice laced with sarcasm.
"Shayera! You a mother at only what 16 to 17!? You are just a whore!" Sophia snapped.
The venom in Sophia's words hung heavy in the air, a blatant attempt to wound Shayera with a cruel and personal jab. The mention of her teenage pregnancy, a chapter of her life she had long since buried, clearly struck a nerve. But instead of reacting with anger or defensiveness, Shayera let out a soft, almost amused chuckle.
"Sophia," she said calmly, her voice devoid of emotion.
"Did you know that in France, publicly accusing someone of prostitution—even without proof—is considered defamation? A serious offense with potentially significant legal consequences?"
She paused, letting her words sink in. The headmistress's eyes widened slightly at Shayera's unexpected response. Sophia's face paled visibly as the realization dawned on her – she had just opened herself up to a lawsuit.
"Shayera! You never even finished her high school late alone middle school, or college! You are just a useless idiot!" Sophia said as she became more and more arrogant. Shayera was not ashamed of giving birth to her kids. Shayera then flipped her fan that Aella handed over to her. Aella and Zephyr looked at their mama in awe. Shayera once again spoke but her words slapping in the face yet she did not need to curse to get her point straight!
Shayera's fan, a delicate silk creation adorned with intricate floral patterns, snapped open with a quiet flourish. She didn't raise her voice, didn't resort to insults. Instead, her next words were delivered with the precision of a legal argument, each syllable carefully chosen.
"Sophia," Shayera repeated, her gaze unwavering.
"I may not have followed the traditional path to success, but I've built an empire from the ground up. I provide for my children and contribute significantly to this society. And unlike some people I know, I don't need to tear others down to feel superior."
She paused, allowing the weight of her words to settle in the room. Then, with a subtle tilt of her head and a glacial smile, she added:
"Furthermore, Sophia, I've retained a rather reputable legal team. They've been briefed on your… unfortunate outburst. I trust you'll be receiving a letter shortly outlining the potential ramifications of your defamatory statements."
She closed the fan with a soft click, the sound echoing in the sudden silence. Her eyes flicked to the headmistress, who was now visibly uncomfortable and attempting to mediate the situation.
"Now," Shayera continued, her voice regaining a touch of warmth as she turned her attention back to Aella and Zephyr.
"Let's focus on resolving this butterfly situation, shall we? Little Star, Little Galaxy, why don't you tell me what we can do to make things better for everyone who was affected by your little adventure?" She knelt down to their level, her expression softening into a reassuring smile.
Shayera held Aella and Zephyr close, their small bodies nestled against her. The warmth of their embrace was a comforting anchor amidst the escalating tension. She could feel their little hands gripping her shoulders, seeking reassurance.
Sophia's attempt to leverage her husband's financial contributions to the school was transparent and predictable. Shayera had anticipated such a tactic and was prepared to counter it.
Headmistress Dubois' sigh confirmed Shayera's suspicions – Sophia was attempting to manipulate the situation, using her influence to unfairly punish Aella and Zephyr.
Shayera's voice, when she spoke, was devoid of emotion—a chilling contrast to Sophia's theatrical outrage.
"No need to say it since she had someone backing her up my kids have to be kicked out?" she asked, her words laced with a dangerous calm.
The headmistress visibly recoiled at Shayera's question, her face paling slightly. The implication was clear: Sophia was attempting to leverage her connections and financial contributions to unfairly penalize Aella and Zephyr. It was a blatant abuse of power, and the headmistress knew it.
Sophia, sensing the shift in momentum, attempted to regain control of the situation.
"Of course not, Shayera," she said quickly, her voice dripping with false sincerity.
"I simply believe that discipline is necessary for maintaining order and ensuring a positive learning environment for all students."
Shayera's lips curled into a sardonic smile.
"Discipline? Or a convenient excuse to target my children because they don't fit your narrow definition of 'acceptable'?" She paused, letting her words hang in the air.
Shayera slowly rose to her full height, towering over Sophia despite the significant difference in their builds. Her gaze swept over the room, taking in the anxious faces of the other parents and the increasingly uncomfortable expression of the headmistress.
"Let's be clear, Headmistress," Shayera said, her voice resonating with quiet authority.
"My children are bright, curious, and occasionally mischievous. They are not inherently bad. And I will not stand by and allow them to be unfairly penalized based on unfounded accusations and personal vendettas."
She turned her attention back to Sophia, her eyes locking onto hers with an intensity that sent a shiver down the woman's spine.
"If you truly believe my children pose a threat to this school, then perhaps you should consider whether your own son's behavior warrants a closer examination."