Chapter 295 Stop Asking
She stared at the man who was surrounded by the villagers. She felt repulsed by his hypocritical behavior. He ruined someone’s family. Yet he was still living a respectful and reputable life. What right has he got to enjoy this?
Jean bit her lip, and walked over. “Mr. Royden, you really are a kind man. Can you tell us why you came for the opening ceremony today? Didn’t you come just to save your company’s face and reputation, rather than for the sake of these children?”
Her words caught the people’s attention. Jean’s smile widened. “Everyone, it is true that the Royden Group has sponsored Hope Elementary School. But he has used your gratitude as a tool to make more money. That’s a fact too. Don’t you feel any shame or guilt seeing their sincere and thankful eyes?”
She wanted to expose Edgar’s act of pretense and make it known that he’s a hypocrite! The best talent this man had was putting on a show.
The villagers were puzzled. “How can you say that, miss? Mr. Royden has always been our savior.” “This deal is really good. Just a few hundred thousand and Royden Group gets a good reputation.” Jean gritted her teeth with hatred.
How can he deceive these guileless people? As soon as Jean finished speaking, Mr. Jevin came. He grabbed her and scolded, “What do you know? You’re just an outsider! Now scram!”Then Mr.
Jevin shouted loudly, “Mr. Royden is the one who made it possible for the children in our village to attend school. That way, they will be able to earn money to buy food in the future! We must thank him!”
“Thank you!” The shouts drowned out Jean’s words earlier on.
She looked at Mr. Jevin with disbelief. Before she could open her mouth and continue, Mr. Jevin had already pulled her aside angrily.
“It’s the opening ceremony of this elementary school today. I shall not tolerate any trouble from you if you dare cause any.” Mr. Jevin’s face was red with anger.
Jean was even more puzzled. “I heard everything last night. You’ve known him for a very long time, so naturally, you would think fondly of him. I’m not here to cause trouble for no reason. I’m speaking the truth.” “That’s impossible. He……”
“She’s indeed speaking the truth.” Edgar walked towards them sternly. Jean tried her best to remain calm. “Mr. Jevin, you see. He has just admitted it himself.”
Mr. Jevin glanced at Edgar. “Do you know this girl?”
Edgar smiled and nodded. “I know her very well. So you don’t have to worry that I would bully her.”
Jean was taken aback.
So Mr. Jevin had pulled her away just now because he was afraid that she would suffer injuries after bluntly pointing out the truth in the past.
“Well, you should have told me earlier. I’m too old for your games.” Mr. Jevin waved, “Time’s almost up too. Hurry up and go in.”
Jean cast Edgar a look, then quickened her footsteps. She whispered something into Mr. Jevin’s ear.
Edgar followed slowly.
Soon, the opening ceremony started. Jean quickly found a corner and stayed there. She tried hard to find those who had similar looks to those in the photo. At the same time, she chatted with Mr. Jevin from time to time, not forgetting to make a good impression on him.
After all, he was her greatest hope now.
Mr. Jevin waved at her impatiently as he chewed on some seeds. “Stop bugging me. I don’t know anything. I really don’t remember anything at such an old age.”
Jean patiently handed over the seeds she had peeled to him.
“It wasn’t an easy journey for me to make it here alone. I don’t wish to go home empty handed. Please don’t mind me. I will not force you.”
“You……”
Mr. Jevin took his stool and sat on the other side of the stage.
Before Jean could follow him, she was stopped.
She turned around and looked. She frowned. “Let go of me.”
But she failed to break free. Edgar brought her to the back. “Miles has invited some reporters for an interview session. Do you want to go out in front of all the reporters or stay here in the back?”
Jean was startled. She wouldn’t be able to explain herself if she was captured in the same photo as Edgar again.
She stood against the curtains and hid behind them.
A small grin formed on Edgar’s face as he watched her cautious appearance. But he did not tell her that the reporters were not able to capture what was backstage.
Jean hid carefully. “Are they gone yet?”
Edgar looked at her and shook his head gently. “Not yet.”
Jean gritted her teeth. Her legs were already numb from squatting.
The sound of loud applause from the outside seemed to indicate that what happened outside had ended. She leaned forward to look, but lost her balance and fell.
Luckily Edgar managed to pull her back in time.
Both of them managed to catch their balance, but the temporary platform collapsed.
Its red curtains fell and covered them both.
Then many voices were heard. “There seems to be someone underneath the cloth. Please come and help them.”
He held Jean in his arms. She could not move.
She could only hear his voice in her ear. “Go from the back. There are reporters in front.”
Jean did not doubt Edgar’s words. She quickly stood up and left. But when she got up, the photo in her bag accidentally dropped out and fell onto the ground.
Edgar brought her to the back of the elementary school. The cool breeze made her feel so much more refreshed instantly.
The field was new and clean. There was a row of Poplar trees at the back, and there were handwritten words on the wall. Its design was clearly thought out carefully.
Jean could not help but regret her speech earlier on. Perhaps Edgar really did a good thing here, just like the villagers thought he had.
If not, where would these children be able to get their education?
“Mr. Royden!”
A boy holding a windmill ran over. His face was flushed from the cold breeze. He raised his hand nervously and passed the windmill to Edgar nervously. “I made this myself. Thank you for coming! My mother said that you are a successful entrepreneur. I will study hard and work for you in your company in the future.”
A smile lit up on his usual stony face when the child’s voice sounded.
He squatted down in front of the child and said, “No, you will do many greater things when you grow up. You will succeed as long as you are willing to work hard.”
The child nodded.
Then, he looked at Jean, who was standing on the side. Then, he glanced at Edgar again.
Then he grinned, revealing his two little canine teeth.
He glanced at Jean solemnly and gave her a bow. “Thank you, madam.”
“Madam?”
“I don’t……”
Before Jean could explain herself, the child was long gone. She could only clench her fingers and stood further away from Edgar.
When Edgar saw her distancing herself from him, the look in his eyes darkened a little.
Miles was headed towards them with a fast pace. “Mr. Royden, the reporters are ready to give you a private interview.”
Jean understood, and left quietly and immediately.
But just as she walked around the other side of the building, she found out that the picture she had brought was gone.
“Oh no.”
She headed back to the stage where they had the opening ceremony to look for the picture. But she did not see it.
A farmer with a bulky frame had the photo in his hands. He asked coldly, “Are you looking for this?”
