Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 299 "Danny, Mommy was just trying to help," Elaine pleaded, her voice filled with a mix of frustration and concern.

"That's what I find so bizarre, Mom. You didn't even check on my injuries or ask the teacher about what happened. You just assumed I was in the wrong. Is this how you show your love? By not believing in your own child and rushing to apologize to others? You seem pretty eager forto mess up." Elaine paused, taken aback by the almost lawyer-like argumentativeness of her son, Danny.

She wanted to tear him a new one for that smart mouth of his.

Glancing up, she noticed Ludwik's expression turning stormy, a coldness setting over his features.

"Danny, you obviously weren't hurt. Those other kids, their injuries are all fake? How did you turn into someone who bullies his classmates? And when Mommy tries to apologize on your behalf, you criticize her. What do I have to do to satisfy you?" Elaine looked towards Ludwik, her eyes welling up with tears of frustration.

Sammy smirked slightly, nonchalantly pulling out a tablet. "Dad, why don't you addon Facebook, get a glimpse into my school life?" Elaine glared at him, puzzled and wary of his motives.

Ludwik, equally baffled, nevertheless took out his phone and added his son.

Soon, pictures of a decrepit classroom filled their chat.

"Mom, maybe if you hadn't dumpedin the worst class, I'd be happier. I'm not asking for much!" Upon seeing the photos, Ludwik's demeanor changed instantly, his gaze sharpening. "You put him in this class? You toldhe was having trouble fitting in with the elite at his international school, so I agreed to move him to a regular class. But this isn't what you showed me!" "I...I didn't know," Elaine stammered, her mind racing. She couldn't believe Danny would play such a long game! She quickly tried to shift the blto the teacher. "What's going on here? I asked for Danny to be placed in the best regular class. Are you undermining me?" "Elaine..." The teacher glared, unwilling to take the fall.

But then, a menacing glance from Ludwik seemed to threaten her job, and she caved. "Mr. Ludwik, you've got it all wrong. There was no space in the regular classes, so we had to put Danny in the lower class for a few days." Sammy, unfazed, continued to expose the truth to his father. "It wasn't just for a few days, Dad. You have no idea what I've been through here. Just today, I fought Adriel because they've been callingan orphan, saying no one loves me. Today, he tried to useas a punching bag. I couldn't take it anymore." "You're lying! My son would never say such things. He's polite," Jemima interrupted, defending her son.

Sammy coolly played a video from his tablet, revealing the truth.

The office fell silent.

The teacher dared not breathe too loudly, and Jemima's face turned pale.

Sammy glanced at Elaine, whose face was a mask of shock and confusion.

A few seconds later, Ludwik's aura turned icy. "Fire the principal and this teacher. And those kids and their parents who hit my son? Press charges. Make sure they learn their lesson." The teacher and Jemima were dragged out amidst pleas and cries.

"Sorry, Mr. Ludwik. It wasn't intentional," the teacher begged.

"Danny's mom..." Jemima cried out, but a look from Elaine silenced her.

The room went silent.

Ludwik, his emotions complex, knelt and gently touched the bruise on his son's forehead. "I'm sorry. I thought you were well taken care of at the daycare. It's my fault for not picking you up more often. I can't believe my own child has been bullied like this." "Elaine, it's my fault too. I had no idea that parent was colluding with the teacher to bully Danny," Elaine quickly added, her guilt evident.

Ludwik's cold gaze turned towards her, silent.

Sammy smirked inwardly. "Dad, normally no one would dare bullyif they knew who my dad was. I wonder why Mom didn't mention who my powerful dad is to the teachers?" Ludwik's gaze darkened even further.

Elaine was seething inside, unable to counter her son's insinuations.

She tried to defend herself. "Danny, I had your best interests at heart. I thought by not revealing your father's identity, you'd blend in better and not feel isolated." "Oh, is that so? Then, Mom, where were you this afternoon?" Sammy suddenly changed the topic.

Elaine froze, her panic visible.

"Were you shopping with Adriel's mom by any chance?" Sammy teased, "Just guessing because I saw you talking to Jemima when you left. Do you guys know each other?" The question hit Elaine like a punch.

Ludwik's thoughts were racing, his gaze on Elaine turning from cold to icy.

Her world seemed to crumble under that look, her son's indirect accusation making her defenseless.

Elaine had thought it would be a piece of cake to torment the little brat, hoping he'd grow to detestm school and never want to return. She had no idea Ludwik would be called in! So, she was utterly unprepared... Now, she found herself at a loss for words. "Danny, what are you daydreaming about? I don't even know that parent, okay? Did you get it wrong? If I knew them, I wouldn't have had to apologize so earnestly just now, would I?" Elaine forced a laugh, trying to brush off the past incident.

But Ludwik's gaze, filled with suspicion and a chilling coldness, didn't waver.

"Leaving Danny's schooling and well-being in your hands was clearly a mistake on my part."

He said, his voice laced with a meaningful tone, as he lifted his son.

and turned to leave. "From now you don't have to worry about his NO education or anything else! Con, Danny, let's go hand check on that wound." Elaine was rooted to the spot, dumbfounded. The man's words were not harsh, but the blshe felt was deeper than ever before! Damn it, why did that little devil suddenly start fighting back against his classmates and teachers, and even have the courage to tell Ludwik everything that had been happening at school? It felt like Danny had beca completely different person! Now, Ludwik seemed to have lost faith in her when it cto their child! The look he gave her earlier, filled with disappointment and coldness, made her shiver.

Biting her lip hard, Elaine's face m flushed from pale to red in frustration, and shexstamped her foot before hurrying after him, her voice filled with a hurt tone, "Ludwik, wait for me, please letexplain..."