It seemed as though she was accusing him, asking, 'What do I need you for?' Oberon appeared both embarrassed and angry, murmuring, "You..." Daxton's dad quickly intervened: "Mr. Whitewood, please, let's keep this calm. It's just a small dispute between kids. There's no need to make a big deal out of it." Alina's mom added, "Alina made her share of mistakes, too. We can't place all the blame on Seraphina." The other parents nodded in agreement, clearly ready to move on. Seeing the others back down, Adelyn realized that continuing would only alienate her. She swallowed her anger, staying silent. Xavier let out a small sigh, thinking the matter was finally resolved. Just when it seemed the situation had calmed, Seraphina's voice pierced through the stillness. "You may be fine with ignoring this, but I won't be." Her expression remained composed as she regarded Alina's parents and the others. The adults looked on, taken aback by her audacity. Seraphina stated, "This was my first day at Bloomington School—my first day in the class. I don't even know everyone's names, yet these students eagerly teamed up against me. As parents, don't you think you owe me—and the Whitewood Family—an explanation?" She continued, "Though we may not be one of the eight prominent families in Pearlpoint, it doesn't permit you to bully us. Do you perhaps have a personal vendetta against the Whitewood Family that has sparked all this?" Daxton's parents and the others shared uneasy glances, surprised by her comments. Alina and her friends appeared similarly astonished, while Oberon regarded the other parents thoughtfully. Pointing at Daxton, Seraphina fixed his dad with a steady gaze. "Your son practically announced his plan to 'pursue' me and do whatever he pleased afterward. He even boasted about how thrilling it would be to 'have fun' with a Whitewood daughter." Daxton's dad's expression soured. He turned to his son and swiftly slapped the back of his head. "You little fool. Just wait until we're home." Seraphina turned to Juliette, Alina, and the other girls, speaking directly to their parents. "Your so-called 'well-raised' daughters decided to spread rumors about me, calling me a 'dirty girl with diseases' and saying I 'served men daily,' as if they'd seen it with their own eyes. Quite the display of 'high-society' behavior." Oberon's expression hardened, and even Xavier was disturbed by the extent of the students' spite. Adelyn was shocked, barely able to believe her daughter had said such things. She demanded, "Did you actually say that?" Juliette hesitated, refusing to meet her mom's eyes. Her guilty look said it all. Though Adelyn was often brash, she wasn't prepared for this. She slapped Juliette hard and snapped, "Is this the kind of talk you've picked up?" Juliette was fuming but didn't dare argue, resentment boiling toward her mom's lack of decorum. Alina's mom stepped forward, looking apologetic. "Seraphina, I apologize for Alina's actions. Rest assured, we'll address this properly at home." Seraphina looked from Alina's mom to Adelyn, noting their sharp contrast. She smirked to herself. Apologies and promises to "discipline" her daughter? Ultimately, she's still trying to protect her and brush the issue aside. "There's no need to apologize for her, Mrs. York. If there's an apology to be made, it should come directly from the person who caused the harm," Seraphina replied evenly. It was clear she wouldn't let this go until Alina and the rest apologized to her face, knowing it would cause them far more discomfort than anything else.