194 Chapter 194 – School Performance
Cullen’s name flashed across the screen. Veronica observed the incoming call but deliberately let it ring through to voicemail.
Eventually, the flow of arriving families guided them toward their designated seating area. Veronica and Cullen found themselves sitting side by side, maintaining a careful distance despite their proximity.
Their combined presence created quite a stir among the assembled parents. Veronica’s elegant beauty paired with Cullen’s commanding presence drew countless furtive glances and whispered conversations throughout the gathering.
“Make sure you get plenty of rest tonight,” Veronica added warmly.
Upon arriving at the Murray family estate, Veronica retreated upstairs while Thomas couldn’t contain his excitement, immediately seeking out Mary to recount every detail of the day’s events.
Sabrina then approached carrying a delicate flower crown that the school had prepared specifically for mothers participating in the event. She extended it toward Cullen, clearly expecting him to perform the traditional gesture of placing it on
Veronica’s head.
Catherine, Sabrina’s teacher, brightened visibly upon spotting Veronica among the
gathered parents. She made a special effort to approach them with genuine warmth. “Ms. Murray, I’m so delighted you could join us today.”
Cullen’s reply came significantly later, leaving her waiting for over thirty minutes.
“9:00 am.”
“Mom!” Sabrina’s face lit up with pure joy as she spotted Veronica approaching. She had been standing dutifully beside Cullen, but now waved enthusiastically.
The unexpected response left Sabrina momentarily speechless. “Oh…”
Phillip stroked his chin thoughtfully. “That explains the Valerie family’s recent interest in establishing business partnerships with me. And Marco’s been unusually courteous whenever we cross paths. Now I understand the connection.”
Veronica scanned the message and typed back curtly, “I’m unavailable.”
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Cullen had apparently informed Sabrina that Veronica would return home to
accompany her to the school event the next day. However, with the clock already past nine in the evening, Veronica remained absent.
The following morning, Veronica stirred awake in her childhood bedroom at the Murray residence. She had barely finished her breakfast when her phone began buzzing insistently.
Veronica chose not to acknowledge his message further.
Casey had previously heard fragments of information from Audrey regarding Veronica’s marital status and young daughter. The details had seemed almost impossible to believe at the time.
Monday morning found Veronica arriving punctually at Sabrina’s school grounds.
Her phone immediately rang again. This time, Veronica didn’t even glance at it before powering down the device entirely.
Remembering his thinly veiled threat from the previous evening, Veronica pointedly ignored his attempt at conversation. Instead, she focused her attention on Sabrina’s tablet, studying the day’s scheduled activities with deliberate concentration.
Veronica offered a brief farewell. “See you next time.” Without another glance, she slid into her car and drove away, leaving no room for further conversation.
Her fingers tightened around the phone as she composed her response. does the event begin?”
time
Hours later, after completing her work obligations, she reluctantly reactivated her phone. A new message from Cullen awaited her attention. “Are you staying at the Murray residence?”
After ending the call, Veronica contacted Dario to inform him of her delayed arrival at the office the following day.
The family members nodded in agreement.
Veronica intercepted the offering smoothly. “I can manage this myself.”
Mary, however, possessed a deeper understanding of Veronica’s character. She shook her head gently. “Veronica hasn’t finalized her divorce proceedings yet. I doubt she’s viewing this situation romantically. We should allow events to unfold naturally without
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meddling.”
“Veronica,” she began, her voice carrying just enough volume to attract nearby attention, “is this your husband?”
Veronica approached them with measured steps. Cullen offered a casual greeting. “You
made it.”
Marco and Cullen had been childhood friends, practically inseparable growing up. Veronica had always maintained a polite but distant relationship with him. This sudden development caught everyone off guard.
Poppy leaned forward with interest. “Do you think there’s actually something developing between them?”
Within minutes, a text message appeared. “Tomorrow, Sabrina’s school is organizing a parent–child activity. Your attendance is required.”
The moment Veronica answered, her daughter’s voice carried a note of confusion. “Mom, why haven’t you come home yet?”
That evening, Sabrina’s call interrupted her quiet contemplation.
Now, witnessing the scene firsthand, curiosity overcame her restraint. She approached their seating area with practiced social grace, her eyes moving between Veronica and Cullen with obvious interest.
The elderly matriarch’s eyebrows shot up when she discovered that Marco had been Veronica’s companion for the entire afternoon. Her surprise was unmistakable.
The brevity of his words couldn’t mask their underlying implication. Veronica understood perfectly well that her silence would only result in him appearing at her family’s doorstep uninvited.
“Okay. Goodnight, Mom.”
“Of course,” Veronica responded, allowing a sincere smile to soften her features.
Veronica kept her voice gentle but firm. “I won’t be returning to that house. I’ll meet you directly at your school tomorrow morning.”
Cullen didn’t press the matter, simply transferring the floral arrangement to her waiting hands without comment.
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