NovelEnglishShirley paused in her tracks, almost instinctively pushing open the door.
Inside, the child looked taller yet noticeably undernourished, his clothes hanging awkwardly off his frame, his ankles exposed for all
to see.
Abner put down his homework and immediately went to check on the child, while Mrs. Thompson sat there cracking open
sunflower seeds, idly spitting the shells onto the floor.
"After you've checked on him, get started on dinner. You can't just live here for free, eating and drinking our food. Your parents are
gone, and if it weren't for us taking you in, who knows where you'd be right now, probably begging on sstreet corner."
The boy remained silent, awkwardly patting the child's back.
Perhaps Mrs. Thompson had gone too far because a cough from the head of the household caught her attention.
Upon seeing Shirley, Mrs. Thompson's seed-cracking paused momentarily, her expression souring.
"Ms. Dorothy, what brings you here?"
It seemed she recognized Shirley.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtShirley's brows furrowed as she noticed Abner's ill-fitting clothes, her tone cold.
"Auntie, | thought my sponsorship was for Abner. Two thousand every six months, and that can't even buy him a decent set of
clothes?"
The woman had a thick skin. "Oh, you know, with all the eating and drinking, where does the money not go? Ask Abner, we haven't
treated him poorly. School fees, textbooks, that all costs money. Are you suggesting now that I've embezzled the funds?"
Abner was caught off guard by Shirley's visit, his movements even more awkward.
Shirley took a deep breath. "Abner, do you remember me? | visited you before, just last year. It's been over a year now, I'm not
sure if you still remember what | look like."
Abner glanced at her briefly before quickly looking away. "| remember."
Shirley let out a sigh of relief. "Good. Auntie, since you claim the money was spent on him, I'd like you to list out all the expenses. |
want to see that my money hasn't been wasted."
It was evident to anyone with eyes where that money had gone.
The woman herself was decked out in new clothes, her hair fashionably permed, a gold bracelet shining on her wrist.
Shirley had already sent over six thousand, curious how much of it had actually been spent on Abner.
Mrs. Thompson's face darkened instantly. "Abner is our child, it's none of your business where that money goes! Abner, what are
you waiting for? Get going and make dinner!"
Thinking that Shirley's presence would change their treatment of him, she glared threateningly. But Abner remained still, the child
beside him crying, adding to the chaos.
Shirley then turned to the village head. "Mr. Mayor, | remember when | started sponsoring, | asked for witnesses to ensure it would
be used properly. I've even asked you to keep an eye on Abner. Now he’s not even attending school. Is this how you were looking
after him? Despite all the government's efforts to lift this place out of poverty, Maplewood remains poor. Mr. Mayor, have you truly
fulfilled your responsibility? For a child in these mountains, education is his way out. Abner should be in his sophomore year by
now. Denying him education is like trapping him here."
Shirley, visibly agitated, picked up Abner’s paper and saw his perfect scores.
"Such a bright kid deserves education, not only for his future but for Maplewood’s benefit too. Mr. Mayor, think about it. And
remember, I'm a student at Solstice College. We're all watching over the child | sponsor."
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmMentioning Solstice College, renowned nationwide, lent gravitas to her words.
Hearing that Solstice College’s eyes were on them, the mayor's expression softened.
The head of the household intervened, "Ms. Dorothy, please, let's not get too heated. We can discuss this."
But Shirley's gaze turned icy. "Or | could just report this to the county, let them investigate where the sponsorship money is really
going. Also, | informed my professors at Solstice College beforeing here. If | don't return in two days, the police wille
knocking."
If corruption had seeped into this place, then her lone effort could very well put her at risk.
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