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Maggie’s eyes widened slightly in disbelief. “Did I really say something like that?” she asked, her voice tinged with doubt.
Leonard hesitated, unwilling to speak further, and remained silent.
“Mrs. Fraser, this is the last footage we have of Mr. Joshua having a meal at the dining table. It seems he picked up a piece of chicken, dropped it on the table, and tried to pick it up to eat again. That’s when you and the young ladies got furious and chased him away.”
He found the recording and handed it to her with a solemn expression. “After that day, Mr. Joshua never came back to the dining room to eat.”
Maggie glanced at the footage, and her surprise was evident. Because the footage had no sound, she could not hear what the people were saying. She could only see that she and her daughters were erupting in anger, their voices loud as they reprimanded Joshua. She also ordered him to stand as punishment and prevented him from continuing his meal.
The boy in the video stood by obediently, motionless, as if he didn’t dare to defy her.
What could I have said back then?” Maggie murmured, her brows knitting together as she tried to recall the moment. But the memory escaped her, buried under the weight of time.
Leonard exchanged a hesitant glance with Katherine, who stood nearby.
“I don’t remember any of this! Tell me, what exactly did I say that day?” Maggie demanded, her frustration evident as she looked at them.
Leonard shifted uncomfortably before speaking. “That day, you told him that if he couldn’t correct his bad habits, he would never be allowed to eat at the dining table again. After he finished standing as punishment, he left, and he never returned to eat with the family.”
Her eyes widened further, and her tone turned incredulous. “I really said something so harsh?”
“Mrs. Fraser,” Katherine interjected quickly. “Since then, he hasn’t joined the family for meals. I think he took your words to heart and decided it was better to eat secretly in the kitchen. None of the young ladies ever called him back to the table, either. That might explain why he’s become malnourished!”
Her voice softened as she continued, her concern evident. “Mrs. Fraser, I think it’s best for you and Mr. Fraser to take him out to have a look. After all, he hasn’t been home for days!”
Maggie couldn’t recall ever making such a statement. Her brows furrowed as she thought back to recent events. After a moment, she let out a cold laugh. “Even if he’s like this, it’s his own fault! David, come with me!”
David hesitated, his frown deepening. “Where are we going?”
“Where else? To his school! I need to see for myself where he’s been sneaking off to these past few days!” Her voice was sharp, and her teeth clenched in frustration.
“Do you even know which school and class he’s in?” he frowned and asked skeptically.
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“If you don’t know, do you think I wouldn’t?” she snapped back angrily. “He skips meals all the time. Who does he think he’s fooling? This time, he needs to be taught a proper lesson! If we don’t put him in his place, he’ll only grow more reckless!”
Her determination left no room for argument. Without waiting for a response, she started gathering her things in a rush, ready to storm out.
David, seeing no other options, could only follow her. Together, they made their way to 27th Street High.
As they approached the school gates, Maggie’s contempt was evident in her voice. “This is it, 27th Street High. The most useless school in all of Kepong! Every student here is a failure, not a single decent one among them!” She shot David a pointed look. “And this is where your precious son is enrolled!”
He glanced at the school, his expression darkening. “Which class is he in?”
“How would I know? Let’s go find out!” she retorted, her irritation bubbling over. Despite her bravado, she had no idea which class Joshua attended. Her only option was to confront the school authorities and demand answers.
The school authorities were somewhat surprised to see her arrive and promptly called over Agnes, Joshua’s homeroom teacher.
“Are you…relatives of Joshua?” Agnes asked in surprise as she glanced between them.
“That’s right!” Maggie responded without hesitation, her tone sharp and direct. “Where is he? Please call him over. I need to see him immediately!”
Agnes hesitated before giving an apologetic look. “I’m sorry, but he isn’t here today. He requested leave and hasn’t been at school. From what I understand, he’s out handling something.”
“What?” Maggie’s face darkened instantly, and her voice rose in anger. “Out handling something? He’s probably wasting time and causing trouble! I knew it! He never focuses on his studies, always skipping school and neglecting his books!”
Agnes frowned slightly at the outburst, her brows furrowing in quiet disapproval. “I’m afraid I don’t know where he went. He’s not reachable at the moment. Maybe you could come back tomorrow and check again.”
“Did he attend class yesterday?” Maggie demanded.
“Yes, he was here yesterday,” Agnes confirmed. “But today, he took leave. If I may ask, what’s your relationship with him? You don’t seem to know much about his attendance.” She was quite curious about their identities.
“Let’s go to the police!” Maggie declared abruptly, not bothering to explain herself. The humiliation she felt left no room for patience or politeness. She stormed out of the building, with David trailing behind her.
David hesitated as he followed, his voice tinged with uncertainty. “The police might not be able to locate him right away. It could take some time, maybe even until tomorrow. Why not try calling Wendy? She’ll
definiral.. Inahown ho”
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Maggie’s anger burned too hot for her to think twice. Without a moment’s hesitation, she took out her phone from her bag and immediately called Wendy.
“Wendy! Where on earth has Joshua run off to? Is he hanging around somewhere on the outskirts again?”
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Promise to Punish My Ridiculous Family
