Love or Die CEO’s Daily Dose of Swoon

Chapter 153

At the Jordan Manor.

After Paulina said this, the headmaster refused, “The students are in study hall right now.”

Paulina’s expression tightened, her brows knitting together, “I’ll just pop over for a moment then. You’ll unlock the door forlater?”

With a sigh, the headmaster capitulated. “Alright, I’ll call her out for you. Just givea minute.”

A smile of relief spread across Paulina’s face, “Thank you so much, sir.”

“We understand a parent’s concern,” he assured her, raising his voice to call out, “Merry, your mom’s on the line.” Shivering in her still–damp clothes, Merry shot up from her seat as if catapulted by a spring. That suffocating fear gripped her again, sending chills down her spine.

Approaching the door, the headmaster handed her the phone, “Talk to your mom, Merry. Be nice, okay?”

The headmaster gave her a threatening look, his eyes ruthless.

She nodded, taking the phone with trembling hands and whispering a timid “Hello?”

The strain in Merry’s voice was enough for Paulina to feel a tug at her heart, “Merry, how’s your day been?”

Merry was silent, her eyes fixed on the headmaster’s stern glare.

Paulina pressed on, “Why so quiet? I know you’re mad at me, but it’s for the best. Rest up tonight, follow the rules, and once you’re better, I’ll transfer you back, okay?”

“Mr. Walters,” the teacher called out, diverting the headmaster’s attention.

Seizing the moment, Merry covered the phone and hissed, “Help me. Help me!”

Stunned, Paulina asked, “What?”

The headmaster wheeled around, his gaze sharp and threatening. As he and the teacher advanced toward her, their faces half illuminated by the dim classroom light, they resembled demons closing in.

Merry’s heart pounded against her chest as she screamed into the phone, “They’re going to kill me. Help, please.”

The headmaster rushed forward, snatching the phone away, while the teacher clamped a hand over Merry’s mouth, dragging her back toward the courtyard’s ominous water fountain.

With a splash, Merry’s head was forced underwater again.

Paulina stared at the silent phone, a dazed look on her face. The headmaster let out a weary sigh, “She’s been trying to escape since she got here. We’ve contained her, but now she’s talking nonsense.”

“Then don’t hit her,” Paulina exclaimed.

He replied gravely, “We haven’t laid a hand on her. Physical punishment is illegal. We’re a reputable institution, and we would never do such a thing. We’re just keeping her from running off. She’s been trying to go live on social media.”

Paulina finally relaxed, “Just don’t hurt her.”

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“Don’t worry,” he assured her, “She’s strong–willed, but she’ll be hin a week. You can check her then, and there won’t be a mark on her.”

After hanging up, Paulina’s unease only grew.

She turned to Cain, asking in anxious, “Merry’s never sounded so panicked. Could something really be wrong?”

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Cain’s brow furrowed as he replied, “We should go check it out.”

Nodding, Paulina rose, “I won’t rest until I see for myself.”

As they prepared to leave, Cain’s phone rang with urgent business.

“You go ahead,” Paulina said, “I can handle this.”

Stepping outside, they ran into their daughter Leila returning home.

After a quick explanation, Leila insisted, “Mom, I’ll cwith you.”

At the school gates, they were met by the headmaster who cautioned, “You can’t go in. We’ve set boundaries for a reason. If parents start visiting, it’ll disrupt our system.”

Paulina was adamant, but Leila interjected, “What if I take a look instead?”

The headmaster was about to refuse when Paulina said, “Yes, let Leila in. She can pretend to be a student and it won’t bother anyone else. You’ll let her go and watch for me, or I won’t feel comfortable.”

With a wary glance at Leila, the headmaster conceded.

Once inside, Leila surveyed the oppressive layout, its numerous water fountains an enigma.

It seemed that a student had disobeyed and was called out by the teacher, and the student shivered in fear, his legs all but collapsing to the floor.

Leila frowned.

They found Merry, freshly clothed but cowering. “Mom wanted to make sure you’re okay,” Leila said as they spoke under the headmaster’s watchful eye.

Merry clutched at Leila’s hand, about to speak, but released it in fear when the headmaster’s gaze turned to them, “I’m fine, really. Don’t worry.”

Leila suggested, “Mom’s worried sick. How about a video to show you’re okay?”

Under the scrutinizing gaze, Merry agreed.

Leila recorded Merry from head to toe, ensuring her mother would see everything. “I’ll make sure Mom sees you’re alright,” she promised.

Following the headmaster’s lead, Leila walked out, leaving Merry behind. Once they were alone, Leila looked quizzically at the folded piece of paper Merry had slipped into her hands. “Sir, Merry just gave me this,” she said, gesturing to the note. “Do you know what it means?”

Upon hearing this, the headmaster’s eyes darted to Leila, pupils narrowing in shock.

Casually, Leila unfolded the note that held one terrifying sentence, “Help me. If I don’t obey, they’ll drown me. Mom, save me.”

Realizing the sinister use of the water fountains, Leila handed back the note, feigning resignation, “I guess Merry just needs to follow the rules. Please take good care of her.”

The headmaster seemed just as taken aback, staring blankly as he clutched the note handed to him. “Don’t you worry,” he assured, “We will take great care of her.”

After Leila had left, Paulina asked anxiously, “How did it go?”

Leila responded, “All good. Look, here’s a video she took. I made sure to check it she hasn’t been hit, not a single mark on her.”

Paulina felt a surge of irritation, “Why can’t she just make life easy for us? I sent her here for her own good.”