Disclaimer: I do not own Danny Phantom or any of the characters. Danny Phantom is the sole property of Butch Hartman, Nickelodeon and Paramount global.
Blackmailed
Chapter 32: Aftermath
A week has passed since the birthday party, and Johnathan Strong was currently busy in his office. The blonde lawyer was going over some paperwork, only to hear a buzzing noise from the intercom.
"Yes? What is it?..."Johanthan asked.
"Mr. Strong. Your daughter, her boyfriend and their friends are here. Your daughter says she has something urgent to discuss with you..."His secretary, Janet, said.
Johnathan sighed, having expected something like this.
"Send them in..."He responded.
A few moments later, Star and Danny, as well as all their friends, including Valerie and Misty, were furious as they marched into Mr. Strong's law office after the secretary let them in.
"Dad, we have a problem! A HUGE one!..."Star said angrily.
"That's putting it mildly!..."Danny said, equally as angry, as were the other teens.
Johnathan knew why they were here and why they looked so upset.
He sighed before he turned to his secretary and told her to hold his calls for the next hour. He had a feeling this was gonna be a LONG talk.
"I know why you are all here..."Johnathan said, not bothering to beat around the bush.
He didn't need to be a rocket scientist to figure out what had the teenagers very upset. His daughter wasted no time in demanding answers.
"What's this about Colette making bail?! What the heck?!..."Danny went as he slammed a newspaper on the table which had details about the court case that took place a few days ago and a recent development that the heroes did NOT expect to happen at all.
"This was supposed to be an easy victory with all the evidence we had against that witch! So, what gives?! Why isn't she locked up in jail or a mental hospital right now?!..."Val hissed and the others wanted to know.
"That's what I want to know too!..." Jazz said, upset that this was the end result.
"Us too!..." Tucker, Valerie and Misty bellowed in unison.
It should have been easy to get her locked up, so they were confused as to why this happened. Mr. Strong could understand their confusion, after all he went through quite a migraine having been informed about this unexpected development.
"Kids..."He began to speak, but his angry daughter had cut him off again.
"Dad, you promised me that she'd be in trouble and face the consequences! You promised that she wouldn't get away with it! So, like Danny, I have to ask... WHAT THE HECK?!..."Star exclaimed.
"Star, calm down. It's not that bad. Let me explain..."Johanthan said.
"We can't calm down! I can't believe that after all that crud Psycholette caused, she's getting off easy..."Danny said, angry to see what's become of this.
He was so angry that he was even trying to make sure his eyes wouldn't turn green with so much emotional distress. The others were just as angry as he was.
"Yeah, Chief Boyle said she wasn't getting a slap on the wrist! Well, this seems like a slap on the wrist! I should have known better than to trust the man!..."Sam said, furious as the blonde lawyer waited for them to stop.
"Children, let me explain. Yes, her father paid for her bail, but Colette is NOT getting off easy and this isn't a slap on the wrist..."Johnathan said, getting their attention.
"What are you talking about, Dad?..."Star asked as everyone else was equally as confused.
"Contrary to what cartoons would make you believe; bail isn't a get out of jail free card and she'll still be punished..." Johnathan said seriously, something that caught them by surprise.
"Wait? Really?..."Danny questioned.
The blonde man nodded before continuing.
"Yes. Real life is not as cut-through as what we see on the TV. The media only shows the interesting parts without all the things that go behind the scenes of legal proceedings..." Johnathan explained, before getting into details.
"As I said, bail isn't some kind of fine or whatever. It's the temporary release of an accused person awaiting trial, sometimes on condition that a sum of money be lodged to guarantee their appearance in court. ..."Johanthan explained. "Granted Colette had her day in court already…it was not a good day for her, that was unavoidable in their situation. An early sign she wasn't going to be back on the streets again anytime soon..."The blonde lawyer said.
"Yeah, we know. We were there..."Star said, since she and the others testified against her, including Kwan and a lot of Colette's past victims spoke up as well.
That was part of the reason they were sure it was all set and why they were confused by the end result and showed up here.
"It wasn't the trial where this was decided. It was an arrangement that decided what she'd be charged with, an early sign she's not going to get away with anything..."Johnathan explained.
Danny blinked in confusion, as did the others but Star nodded in understanding.
"Oh, I see. So, she's not exactly having the book thrown at her, but being focused to read and memorize the whole book or else she'd be sentenced to another form of punishment equal or greater than the previous one somewhere else. Nice work, Dad..."Star said with an impressed smile, having an idea what that meant since she grew up with a lawyer as her father.
"You do? What does any of that mean?..."Danny asked, confused by that but they act like that brat isn't out of the woods yet.
"And more importantly, what did the judge say? He said she'd be sent away but not to prison?..."Sam asked, wanting to know already.
"It means that while Colette is still legally a child, the court decided not to trial her as an adult, but her actions spoke volumes..."Johnathan said seriously.
"Understatement of the millennium!..." Danny asked with crossed arms, and the blonde lawyer nodded
"No surprise there. Let's not forget that this is a brat who has committed enough crimes to fill a police handbook while still in high school..." Jazz said evenly.
"And you would be right Jasmine. I think it's very clear that her actions aren't going to be tolerated or ignored at this point with all the dirt we got on her..."Mr. Strong nodded.
"None of this can be swept under the rug and as a result in the eyes of the law, she's not getting away with a slap on the wrist. As you said, she's committed a lot of crimes, even if she is technically a kid... got others in serious trouble and as a result nearly ruined so many lives and apparently had already ruined a lot more lives way before she even stepped foot in Amity Park that went unnoticed for too long..."The blonde man said, still angry about all of that.
"She earned herself a criminal record that will follow her for the rest of her life, and she will blacklist her from a lot of jobs and universities. It will make it near impossible for Colette to get any type of high paying employment she would seek when she's older and the only jobs available to her would be the ones she considered 'servant's work'…"He explained, using ari quotes.
"That's fitting if you ask me..." Danny said with crossed arms.
"Ditto on that, Danny-Boo..." Star nodded in agreement.
"No argument there. Speaking of which, she is also being sentenced to 200 hours of community service, which will also be in addition to all her other punishments..."Star's father said.
"Now that's something I'd like to see. She never worked a day in her life and probably never did a single chore, so this is gold..."Sam said.
"Yes, it is..."Star said while smirking.
"I'm glad that you approve. This also means that she will be on close watch from now on, as well as given a restraining order that will make it impossible for her to be 500 feet from Danny, Star and all your friends. If she as much gets 499 feet close to any of you kids, she'll be sent back to jail..." Johnathan said.
"Awesome, still wishing it was further, but I'll take it..." Star said.
"That's good to hear. I never thought I'd ever find the words "restraining order" to be so beautiful..."Danny said with relief while the others seemed okay with this so far.
"Karma finally hits back with interest!..." Tucker added.
"About darn time, too!..." Jazz said. "She needs to pay for what she did to all of us!..."She added.
"Yeah, with interest..."Misty said, still wishing that brat could be punished even more.
"Don't worry about that... she will. I did my job and everything possible to counter everything Jean-Luc's army of morally bankrupt, money obsessed attorneys could do. I wouldn't let them sweep things under the rug. Even if I can't send her to jail, I made sure to get her the next best punishment..." Johnathan said, recalling that trial and how it was probably one of his most epic one's ever, if not the MOST epic one.
He used every single one of his connections and law skills to make sure that Jean-Puke and his monstrous spawn couldn't buy their way out of receiving justice and couldn't influence the judge. The judge they ended up was thankfully a fair and impartial man, and Johnathan was at ease as he spent the entire trial thoroughly DESTROYING those money hungry disgraces and making sure justice will not be denied.
Any loopholes they tried to use, he countered them will his decades of legal expertise and his absolute determination NOT to let scum like these get away with their crimes. It ended with Jean-Luc's lawyers left with nothing but trying to use an insanity plea of all things to try and limit what can happen to her, with mixed results.
His daughter seemed happy to hear this.
"Awesome! Dad, you rock!..."Star said, hugging him.
Her father smile and hugged her back.
"Thanks Princess. I just wish that I could have done more but the legal system is complicated..."The blonde man said, while the other teenagers were still looking at the bright side of this entire debacle.
"So, we're finally free from her?..."Tucker questioned.
"Yes..."Johnathan said, nodding.
"For real?..."Star asked, and her brother kept nodding.
"For real. As far as I can tell, she won't even be allowed anywhere near us without being arrested on the spot..."The male lawyer said, just happy he could help protect them from that monster.
Although most were relieved, one wasn't as much.
"But even if Psycholette is done for, she's still in Amity Park. Which means there's a chance will cross paths with her..." Tucker pointed out.
"You would think so but no. That will be far from the case..." Johnathan said.
"What are you talking about, Dad?..."Star asked.
"She'll be gone soon enough ...And if she thought our little town was bad? She'll be eating her words as it's nothing compared to the worst part that is awaiting her..." Johnathan said, referring to the rest of that brat's punishment.
"What is the worst part?..." Sam asked curiously, wondering what would become of the psycho that had caused them so much grief since the unfortunate day they met her.
"Where is she going?..." Misty asked, wanting to know where the judge sent her.
"To a one-way ticket to discipline..." Stella said as she appeared, having left a few moments ago to get some water.
"Mom, what are you doing here?..."Star asked, surprised to see her here.
"My motherly obligation since I am still one of Colette's guardians..."Stella said, not looking happy as she spoke.
"Where is Pierre?..."Star asked, since she didn't see him anywhere.
"Don't worry. Alyssa is watching him and Fifi. They are fine..."Stella said, grateful for Alyssa's help.
She then sighed bitterly.
"It amazes me how a baby and a dog are less of a hassle than Colette..."She muttered under her breath, but her daughter and the other kids heard her.
"I don't think anyone is surprised by that..." Star whispered to Danny, who nodded in agreement.
"I was just telling the kids the details of Colette's punishment since you did say I could tell Star and the other..."Johnathan said, referring to a conversation they had less than 10 minutes ago.
"I see...well... I'm sure Johnathan gave you all the highlights. Especially the big parts..."Stella said.
"What do you mean, Mom?..."Star asked as her mother sighed in exhaustion due to all that happened this past week.
"Since Johnathan countered everything Jean-Luc's lawyers had...not that I blame him...I know it needed to be done..."Stella said with a sign.
"After A LOT of grueling effort and consulting some experts, the judge gave Jean-Luc an ultimatum and...after more legal action, negotiations and persuasion...we agreed that Colette will be sent to a place that'll set her straight...she will now be attending a boarding school far away, in London to be exact..."Stella said, looking sad but accepting this fact.
That got all of the teen's attention. Their eyes even widened, and their jaws dropped a bit.
"London?! Boarding school?!..."They all went, and the rich woman nodded.
"Wait, for real?..."Star asked, curious about Colette's fate.
Stella nodded again, confirming the facts.
"Yes. Even before this mess happened, Jean-Luc and I had been considering it for a while as we thought that she needed some discipline. I just wish that we did it back then..."Stella said, wishing she had done something sooner to prevent all of this.
"She needs more than that, Mom..." Star said firmly. "She needs a straitjacket and to be put in a room and to throw away the key after what she did to us!..."The blonde girl added, still angry.
Stella sighed, she no longer tried to defend her stepdaughter. After all, how can you defend the indefensible?
"Well, the school in question will...give her the discipline she needs..."Stella said delicately.
"Where exactly is she going?..."Danny asked, wanting to be sure it's somewhere REALLY far away and that she has no chance of returning.
"Originally, we were going to send her to Ms. Wentworth's School for Girls. The London branch that is..."Stella said.
"That's the same snobby place my parents wanted to send me too!..."Sam sneered with contempt, clear in her tone that she hasn't forgiven them for not listening to her and their attempts to make her into a Paulina clone rather than accept her for who she is.
She was just glad they managed to prove that Colette was the culprit before they managed to ship her away. Especially since she was 100% sure that even if she had been proven innocent, once she was in London, she wouldn't have returned home.
"London branch?...'Tucker asked, not understanding that.
"The school has several sister schools across the world and even here in America but after what has happened...it seems that won't be enough. So, as part of the intense legal process, the judge's ruling...and after Jean-Luc's team of lawyers did all they could and made their case...it was agreed by all parties that Colette will be sentenced to The Bludworth Academy for the rest of her high school life..."Stella said, shocking all the teens in the room as soon as she said that name.
"BLUDWORTH?!..."They all exclaimed, a collective shiver went down their spines.
"Do you mean The Bludworth Youth correctional facility?..."Danny asked, almost terrified since that place is infamous for being a prison for teens.
"I've heard of that place. It's basically a prison for the most troubled adolescents around. It's the one place my parents never want to send me, thinking I'd end up with a shattered leg from how dangerous it is. She is being sent there?..." Sam said, almost shocked by this news.
"No, Jean-Luc's lawyers somehow managed to convince the judge not to do that...somehow..."Stella said, while her ex-husband spoke up.
"However, the penitentiary is related to that place. But the place where Colette is being sent to is a strict academy in England that takes in and attempts to reform extreme cases and the toughest juvenile delinquents..."Johnathan clarified and his ex-wife nodded.
"Yes. It's practically a military academy that is very strict, monitored and it's known for not tolerating misbehavior of any kind and their record is quite good in keeping the inmates… I mean students in line..."Stella stammered, before correcting herself again.
"It also has a good track record of reforming delinquents and ne'er-do-well into proper members of society. It's technically not a prison...but it might as well be..."Stella explained to her daughter and friends just what will become of Colette.
"Colette will have to adjust to a strict schedule, a curfew and lots of rules. Failure to comply is not going to be tolerated and in fact will be reprimanded if she doesn't follow. This school will also be a last resort. If she gets in trouble again, Jean-Luc is planning to disinherit her and cut ties with her for good as soon as she turns 18. He was serious when he said that..."Stella said, hoping it wouldn't come to that.
"Sounds like it will be an absolute misery for her. Good, she deserves nothing less..." Sam said.
"Of course, everything else will still comply..." Stella said.
"So, she's no longer going to be in America?..."Danny asked, wanting to be sure.
"No. And even after she graduates, she still has that restraining order and I doubt that she would be allowed to return easily to the Amity Park or even Elmerton...much less the county since one of the conditions to avoid her being sent to juvie is that she is to be...indefinitely banned since the city council voted and agreed they consider Colette a byproduct of bad parenting rather than the environment of Amity Park..."Stella said, sounding sad and ashamed as she said this before continuing.
"They also said that they would not hesitate to put her under constant surveillance while under house arrest if she stayed. So, it was decided that the best decision for everyone is that she leaves..."She added, her gloomy expression not changing.
"Ordinarily, I would call such punishment overkill for a minor… but not this time. There is always an exception to the rule..." Johnathan said, frowning as he said this.
That should have made Danny feel better, but Colette is persistent. That's something he knew from experience. If she could find a way back for revenge, he didn't doubt that she would try anything He knew that he would just have to be ready when that day happens.
"Anything else?..." Star asked, knowing there had to be more.
"It's also been arranged that she will be seeing a therapist that the school has assigned her to until further notice. Hopefully, they will be able to give her the help she needs..."Stella said, not sure how else to phrase that.
"Finally!..."Everyone in Team Phantom thought in sync.
"Still...not even Spectra could help her in that area..."Sam whispered quietly to Danny and Tucker, something they knew would be the case.
"Yeah, in fact...it would probably end up with Colette who would make that deranged ghost miserable..."Tucker whispered back, and the others didn't disagree.
"I still think that the ghosts would probably send her back if she winds up in the ghost zone..."Danny said, keeping his voice low.
His friends did not disagree with him. Not at all.
"I'm pretty sure she wouldn't end up there, if you know what I mean..." Jazz said in a hinting way, and the others knew what she meant.
Still, they all seemed a bit more relaxed now with the news they had just received.
"Even so... we won't have to deal with her for a long time..." Star said.
"What are you kids talking about?..."Stella asked, and she and Johanthan had been talking.
"Oh, we were just talking about Colette being sent away for good..."Star said quickly, not exactly lying and her parents believed her.
"Psycholette is finally gone..." Tucker said, looking relieved.
"I still can't believe it. She's finally gone. She's finally out of our lives!..."Star said, looking relieved and even happy right now.
All the while, Stella looked sad, which the blonde girl noticed.
"Yes, she's gone. I suppose it was only a matter of time..."Stella said, feeling as if she wanted to cry but held it together.
"Jean-Luc is with her on our private jet. They left this morning. She should be London in just a few hours..."Stella said, depressed as she recalled the last memory she had with her stepdaughter before she left this morning.
FLASHBACK
Earlier Today
It was early in the morning and Stella had watched as Colette's bags were placed inside the private jet, whild her stepdaughter still couldn't believe that she was essentially being exiled to boarding school in her eyes.
She also couldn't believe that this was the best possible scenario for her, with the other being juvie.
The blonde woman held Pierre in her arms and Fifi was here too, since they were still technically family, and she felt that she owed this much.
"I should talk to her..."Stella thought, as she felt that she should try to be the glue that sticks them together.
The blonde woman took a deep breath, tried to compose herself and not burst into tears again like she has been doing all week in private. She tried to keep a strong face, as she went to talk to her stepdaughter for what might be the last time in a while.
She wanted to try and end things positively.
"Colette...I know you don't see it this way, but this is for your own good. You need to get over your attitude problems and change your ways. This is your last chance. I know that soon you'll understand that this is for the best...'Stella said, in a desperate, pleading voice, hoping to reason with her.
Her stepdaughter said nothing and refused to even look at her. Stella sighed.
"Where did I go wrong with her?..."The stepmother thought, wishing it did not have to end up like this.
Soon enough, Colette's biological parents came by, giving their daughter some very displeased stares, the fake redhead flinched away and avoided eye contact with them.
Stella, seeing they were being more effective, stepped out of the way.
"Let's go..."Jean Luc said with an angry look, wanting to get this out of the way.
Suzette nodded, knowing that they didn't have any time to waste.
Stella sighed but accepted that she wouldn't talk to her and looked away. Still, she tried one last thing to have even a small semblance of a loving family here.
"Okay...well...Pierre...Fifi...say goodbye to Colette..."Stella tried, forcing a smile on her face as she said this.
Pierre looked at his half-sister, glared at her and let out a raspberry, which shocked his mother.
"Pierre? Where did you learn that?!..."Stella asked but her son still didn't look happy.
"Bad lady! Yucky!..."Pierre said as he pointed at Colette, giving the angriest look a baby could give, much to his mother's shock.
Colette sent him a glare and didn't bother to say goodbye. All the while, Fifi growled at the fake red-head but was kept at a distance due to Stella holding her leash. Colette took a step back as the dog continued to growl and show her fangs.
"Mangy mutt!..." Colette sneered, as the dog kept growling at her like she was a threat.
Stella was shocked...but said nothing, after all it was made clear what her stepdaughter thought of them.
… And it hurt.
It hurt very much, learning that they never saw any of them in a positive light.
"So...even they hate Colette?..."She thought, feeling worse now.
She tried hard not to cry or look away as they said their final goodbyes and see her off. Stella saw as Colette got on the plane, not once did she acknowledge her existence, her eyes as cold as icebergs.
It was a haunting moment for the blonde woman as she watched her stepdaughter boarding the plane and leaving for London.
"Colette.., I loved you as my own daughter! Why would you do this?!..." Stella thought in despair as she held her son and kept her pet close to her.
After shedding tears, she wiped them away and then left with her son and pet in the limo for home. A home what had more room now.
End Of Flashback
Present Time
Stella sighed in sadness as she recalled that memory. She did her best not to allow herself to cry as she spoke to the teenagers.
"Colette is on her way to London now, Jean Luc and...Colette's mother... Suzette...will handle things from there..."Stella said, looking down to the floor.
The heroes, and Johnathan sent her sympathetic stares, something she was growing weary of as she was getting that everywhere she went, and it bothered her as Stella didn't want to be seen as fragile by the people around her.
"Mom..."Star began.
"Stella..." Johnathan spoke but the blonde woman stopped whatever they were planning on saying.
"Anyway. I just showed up to tell you Colette is already on her way...and that she will receive the rest of her punishment as soon as the plane lands. Jean-Luc said he'd call me once it was all done..."Stella said, wanting to be done with the issue.
Johnathan and Star felt even worse for Stella.
"Mom..."Star tried but her mother pretended to be okay and not look like she was about to break down now.
"Anyway, I'd better get home. I told Alyssa that I would be back by noon and it's already half past 11. Off I go! Toodles!..."Stella said quickly.
The blonde woman soon left the office, almost as if she was running away. Star saw this and waited until they heard the front door closed before she finally pointed out the elephant in the room.
"She's still a wreck, isn't she?..."Star asked the obvious question.
"That's putting it mildly. I tried to talk to her earlier, but she makes up any and all types of excuses to avoid the subject..."Johanthan said, knowing his ex-wife really didn't want to talk about it.
"Figured as much. I knew the case was getting to her all this week and I was going to wait until it was over...maybe I should-..."Star began, still wanting to mention another important matter to her mother but her dad stopped her.
"Star...your mother isn't in a good state of mind right now. Whatever it is you want to tell her...I don't think it's going to help. Right now, she's hurt..."Johnathan said in a gentle yet serious manner.
"She's finally accepting that everything she thought she knew was a lie and it's not going to be easy for her to come to terms with what she saw. We need to let her process what happened on her own terms. Forcing her to tell us what's wrong does more harm than good..."He said, knowing how volatile his ex-wife must be feeling right now.
"But Da-..."Star tried but her father interrupted her.
"The best thing we can do at the moment is to be there for her and wait until she is ready to talk...but I don't think she'll talk with you since you are still her child and this...this is something she needs to process by herself unfortunately..."Johnathan said as he shook his head, knowing that Stella wouldn't wanna burden their daughter with her woes.
"It will take time, but she'll have to deal with this on her own. But when she is ready to talk, we'll be there for her. Do you understand what I'm asking of you and your friends?..."Johnathan said.
Star sighed.
"I guess you have a good point, Dad. I just wish I could help..."She said, wishing that she could do something.
She also wanted to tell her about her skunk husband's cheating, but her mom was already in a fragile state and any more bad news could really destroy what's left of her self-esteem and sanity.
Star hated this but what can she do?!
"It shouldn't have come to this..." Star thought, worried about her mother and her emotional well-being.
"Anyway, I gotta go work on the next case now that Colette is gone for good..."Johnathan said.
"Finally!..." Everyone in Team Phantom thought in sync, just happy that justice was served.
The nightmare was over, and Colette is gone. Though they still felt sorry for Stella, who was also a victim of Colette's lies and manipulation for years.
The teens soon left the office. Once they were gone, the blonde man then went back to the paperwork he was doing, one that he's been itching to do.
"Superintendent Baxter and those idiots deserve everything I am going to do to them..."He thought in anger and determination, planning to send them to court next and he was not going to hold himself back against any of them.
He was going to do to them what he did to Jean-Luc and Colette...show them that NO ONE gets away with hurting his little girl.
EVER!
Outside
The heroes were now outside, feeling lots of emotions right now.
Mostly happy since hearing that Psycolette is gone for good, and they were finally free from her. Sadly, such a victory came at a cost as Stella's world came crashing down and was forced to accept the fact that her stepdaughter never truly saw her as a mother but a pawn in her twisted game.
It was clear that it broke her heart and everyone around felt pity towards her but no one more than her daughter who wanted to wish her pain away but wasn't about to ask Desiree for a favor on the matter, especially since the truce was over. Instead, she could only watch helplessly as her mother struggled with the situation.
"Poor Mom. This isn't fair, even when Psycolette is gone, she still manages to hurt those around her..." Star said, sounding depressed, bitter and feeling somewhat responsible for this.
"She'll heal, Starlight, just give your mom time. It heals all wounds..." Danny said with sympathy, while their friends still processed how Colette is going to boarding school instead of jail.
"Are we really okay with this?..."Jazz asked, referring to how this incident resulted in Colette NOT being in prison in the end.
"If you mean about Colette's fate...well, I would have preferred seeing that psycho locked in the slammer but at least she was sent away and we probably will never see her again..." Tucker said, seeing the positives.
"And let's be honest, any place that doesn't give that annoying brat the royal treatment is going to be seen as a prison in her eyes. So at least we can be sure she's going to have a miserable time there by being cut off from her luxuries..."Star said.
"True. For her to be treated like the average joe is going to be a nightmare. Serves her right..."Danny said, relieved that karma really is a thing.
"I still can't believe the city council got involved!..." Sam said before rolling her eyes. "But I guess I shouldn't be surprised since they didn't want any bad publicity for the town..."She muttered.
"I do..." Valerie said.
"Seriously? You're defending them?..." Sam questioned.
"No. I mean, I don't like Vlad and his minions on the city council that he bribes into doing his bidding... but he does have a point. Jean-Puke is a lousy father..." Valerie commented to her friends.
"And a lousy human being and an even worse husband..." Star added, still holding a grudge against him now that she knows he's cheating on her mom.
"And not much of a man. It's a wonder he's been married many times..." Sam said.
"Again, they just have poor taste..."Danny said, and the others agreed.
"And worst of all, he fathered the monster that almost ruined our lives.' I don't know about you guys but in my book, that's the worst thing he has ever done..."Valerie added bitterly.
"No argument there..." Jazz agreed.
"Yeah. Because of him, we came across the nastiest, sociopathic menace with delusions of grandeur and we almost got expelled, possibly arrested and I was going to lose my chance at a scholarship for my dream school!..."Jazz said, still holding a grudge.
"And knowing how unhinged Psycholette is, I wouldn't put it passed her if she tried to get someone to get rid of us as she planned her "royal wedding" or whatever she calls it..."Sam added.
"I wouldn't be surprised if that was her plan..."Misty said, not surprised if that was really the psycho's end goal if she didn't get her way.
The good thing was that Colette, and all her accomplices were in trouble and were either behind bars or on the run from the police. Including a certain gold digger who was still in hiding, much to the blonde girl's anger.
"That little tramp is lucky she's on the lam and I can't find her...because as soon as I find her, she's going down!..."Star thought, still angry about that Yolanda woman who is still on the run.
Star was hoping to get a chance to use some of her self-taught boxing moves on that gold digging woman, but she knew that eventually she'll get caught and receive her just desserts too. Just like all the other jerks who had a hand in trying to ruin their lives and her relationship with Danny.
The only one who wasn't in trouble was Kwan who the police hadn't pressed charges against since he was coerced into cooperating with Colette and Star and Danny both spoke up in his defense. Something the jock was really grateful for.
Although it took a while, Kwan was finally on the right track to turning his life around. Danny didn't hold anything against him, and it was his word that ultimately got everyone on the team to give him the benefit of the doubt when the plan was happening and immunity after everything went down.
That just left the rest of Team Phantom to deal with each of the aftermath with their respective parents and guardians over what had happened. However, while most had buried the hatchet with their parents over their initial distrust (which thankfully didn't last long due to no small effort from Danny and Star's parents), the same can't exactly be said for the rest.
Or rather, just one individual of the group.
With the atmosphere set into an awkward moment, the tech wiz decided to be the one who breaks the ice first.
"So, uh...Sam? How are things at home?..." Tucker asked, trying to ask his friend as gently as possible.
Everyone knew that Sam had always been on bad terms with her parents and after the stunt they tried to pull to send her away with their "excuse" that they were trying to look out for her, and after buying a new everything down to socks and a toothbrush, all in girly floral print and pink colors, to ship her off to that snooty boarding school in England, things had been even more tense after they were proven wrong.
And things at home had become worse, if that was even possible. Especially since they got the idea that they could just get back in their daughter's good graces by bribing her, which predictably didn't work.
The goth girl frowned as she talked about her parents.
"Things are the same. They're trying to act like they suddenly transformed into parents of the year, asking me about my friends... Dennis and Tyler... my school and stuff like that. My dad is even trying to kiss up to grandma, to act like how he raised me has nothing to do with issues he has with her. Ugh!..."Sam said bitterly, while her friends were confused about something.
"How do your parents NOT know the names of the two friends whom you've known for almost eleven years?..." Valerie asked, shocked.
"Ten years, eight months, three weeks, and six days..." Tucker corrected, getting a look from her.
"What? We all met on the first day of kindergarten..."He said, like it was obvious.
"Okay, but that doesn't answer my question. How could they NOT know your names?..."Val asked.
"Because the first time they met us was in Ishiyama's office during the Circus Gothica thing..."Tucker pointed out.
"Though they technically met me a little before that but they didn't like me even before that mess happened. There's a reason why my parents thought Ida was Sam's only guardian for a while. And even then, I don't think they ever called us by our first names..."Danny answered.
"They didn't. They usually just refer to you guys as Fenton and Foley and whatever they care to remember since they don't see "weirdos" worth their time. At least they got your last names right..."Sam said bitterly.
"Geez...are they really middle-aged adults? Sometimes I think even Paulina is more mature than them and she's still into Sayonara Pussycat and even collects the toys from the kid's meal when the movie came out..."Star said, not impressed with the lack of maturity from Sam's parents.
"Why am I not surprised to hear that? And why am I seeing your point?. Part of the reason I even became a goth in the first place was so I wouldn't end up like them..."Sam said, embarrassed.
"You know, I bumped into them once when I was at an art gallery for a project and they organized some parents to complain about some of the art there because they deemed it, in their own words "objectionable, immoral, and obnoxious"..."Jazz said, using air qoutes for the last part before scoffing.
" Please, they just didn't like it because the sculptor made from recycled material a sculpture of a werewolf and they just didn't like it because they clash with their tastes. Oh, please...like a duo who is obsessed with floral print and superficial pink so bright that cotton candy look dull even has the right to criticize art..." Jazz added her own story about the Manson parents' stunts.
"The more I hear about Sam's home life, the more disturbed I get..."Star said.
"Same..."Misty said, nodding.
"Try LIVING with them! Seriously, why can't they just get jobs and lives like everyone else?!..."Sam said and the blonde girl felt sympathy for her.
So was everyone else. They all could see that Sam was understandably still upset with her parents and their lack of trust in her.
She really was, so much so that she went as far as to give them the silent treatment all week.
She was not in the mood to talk to them. In fact she wasn't even in the mood to be in the same room as them. The moment they entered whatever room she was in, Sam got up, took her belongings and left, not bothering to acknowledge their existence. The only one she talked to was her grandmother
Case and point, she was the only person who Sam greeted when she came home from school and the only one who she wished good night too before going to bed, not even acknowledging her parents.
When either her Mom or Dad asked to talk to her to try and apologize, Sam said nothing to them.
The last thing she ended up saying to them was this chilling answer, "I'm going out, with my REAL family...", obviously referring to her friends, it really ate at their hearts that their daughter preferred to be around people like the Fenton's rather than them.
Especially earlier today.
FLASHBACK
Earlier today
Things were tense in the Manson family home for breakfast. That was a common occurrence, but it was even worse now.
Sam was quiet and frowning as her breakfast was being served. It was an all vegetarian and tofu breakfast of vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free French toast, tofu bacon, mushrooms, broccoli, and gluten-free, raisin, soy muffins.
Her parents sent her uneasy smiles as they served it to her and kept trying to spoil her.
"Here you go, Sammy. Here are those vegan, non-dairy, soy muffins from that all organic vegan store you like so much..."Pamela said as she handed them to her.
"And here's a nice, cold, delicious glass of soy milk. All organic, no artificial flavors and absolutely nothing factory made in the slightest..."Jeremy said as he poured the glass for her.
Sam said nothing and didn't even look at them as they kept trying to interact with her. They just wouldn't read the room and give up.
"Anyway...Sam...uh...we got you a little surprise...another one..."Pamela said as she pulled out a dress for her.
Unlike the pink, girly dresses that she always tried to force her to wear, this one could be classified as gothic. It was all black and had a lot of spikes and all sorts of gothic features that Sam usual likes to wear.
"Yeah. It's from that same story you always go. We had our servants go pick it up and made sure to get you more store credit for your next shopping trip..."Jeremy said, smiling desperately and hoping this would earn forgiveness.
Sam just said nothing. She got up, ignoring the vegan breakfast and gothic dress as she headed out to the door, just as her grandmother was nearby.
"Grandma, I'm going out. I'll go pick something up for breakfast..."Sam said, as she left, not even waiting for a response from the elderly woman.
Sam left, slamming the door loud and making her parents cringe. Ida coldly glared her son and daughter in law, while they had the nerve to start whining now.
"I can't believe this! We even got her that spooky dress and I even had her room painted all black like she always wanted! And she still won't even look at us!..."Pamela said, upset and angry.
All week, they were trying to make up with her and even got her a bunch of stuff to try and express how sorry they were for what happened, but nothing seems to be working, no matter how hard they try.
They bought a bunch of vegan snacks and treats from the places that she likes, made a donation to some environmental charity that they didn't bother remembering what it is for and even bought a lot of spooky and creepy gothic clothes, accessories and junk to try and show they were sorry.
Each time, Sam still ignored them and didn't even acknowledge their presents and efforts.
"I know she's angry, but can't she see that we're sorry? Why can't she just forgive us already and move on?..."Pamela complained, while her mother-in-law decided to spell it out for her.
"Well, what did you expect?! You two idiots went beyond overboard by thinking that your own daughter was a criminal and were about to send her away without even giving her the benefit of the doubt?!..."The elderly woman asked rhetorically. "Be grateful she hasn't tried running away from home after the stunt you two did!..."She snapped, while her son tried to say something back to her.
"Mother, we already admit that what we almost did was certainly wrong and probably over dramatic! We won't deny that but Sammy is being difficult!..."Jeremy complained.
"She won't even look at us and acts like we are more invisible than ghosts, no matter how many times we say sorry! Not only that, but everyone is giving us the stink eye whenever they see us. Even those Fentons are being treated with sympathy and even some form of respect from everyone for what happened...and Sam is even spending even more of her time there with them than here at home!..."He argued, feeling slightly jealous of the Fenton.
"Need I remind you that Jack and Maddie Fenton did what you couldn't be bothered to do? Listened to Sam and trust her! They believed that she was innocent from the start while her own parents just thought it was the perfect opportunity to send her to some fancy school in the hopes that it would change her to be something she hates!..."Ida scolded.
"The reason why people are more willing to respect the Fentons now is because, unlike you two idiots, they knew their kids well enough and tried to defend them and actually did something to prove their innocence, even before that brat got arrested and that's why they feel more sorry for them for what happened than a couple of dimwits who believed a bunch of phony pictures over their own child's word! That's one of the reasons Sam prefers to be around them than you two!..."The old lady said, glaring at them.
Before Jeremy or Pam could say anything, Ida stopped them with her raised hand, not letting them speak.
"Let me be perfectly clear with you two, the Fentons may have their quirks. They may not always have the best reputation, but throughout Sam's life, they been there for her and not once have they tried to make her into something she's not. They accepted her as part of their son's friends' group, welcomed her into their home and treated her like family. And they've done more for her these past couple of days than either of you have done in years! Is it any wonder why she holds them in such high regard?!..."Ida explained, loud and clear.
"But...Mother!..."Jeremy said indignantly. "We're her parents, she supposed to respect us!..."He said, upset.
"Respect is a two-way street, Son..." Ida said wisely. "You give respect. You earn respect and your actions made it very clear that you don't seem to hold your own daughter in a positive light, so why should she return the favor?..."Ida retorted.
"It's not that I don't respect her. I love her! We both do! I was just worried for her future!..."Jeremy argued.
"You have nothing TO worry about! Sam is a good kid and while she can be headstrong at times, she continuing to make the effort of learning how to become independent and self-sufficient. She is finding her own path and learning what she wants to do with her life but you both never even bothered to support her with that. Instead, you both were wasting your time trying to turn her into another clone of Pamela!..."The old woman criticized.
Both Jeremy and Pamela had guilty looks on their faces after heard the cold hard truthful words from Ida, but they weren't done.
"Mother, I-..."Jeremy was cut off by his mother's rant.
"You want Sam to respect you, then you better earn it! She's very mad at you two and frankly, with the way that things are going, I don't think she'll be willing to listen to your apology, let alone accept it! Because she made it very clear that she won't believe it's real!..."The old woman said.
"Well, what are we supposed to do?!..." Pamela asked desperately. "We get it, we messed up, but how can we talk to Sam and start making things up to her when she doesn't even want to be near us?!..."The rich woman asked desperately.
"Maybe the question here isn't what can you do? But rather how can you learn from this? Actions speak louder than words Pamela..."Ida said wisely. "You're still doing what got you into this mess in the first place, you're not listening to your daughter..."She added.
"What are you talking about mother?!..."Jeremy asked incredulously. "She hadn't said one word to us ever since that awful Bevier brat got arrested!..."He pointed out.
"Son, you have eyes, use them!..."Ida snapped, losing her patience.
"Just because Sam has been silent to you, doesn't mean she's been quiet. The look on her face says plenty. She doesn't want a fake apology, she doesn't want you to buy her expensive gifts to buy her forgiveness because she only sees them as a bribe. What she DOES want in for her parents to get off their high and mighty horses and accept her for who she is!..."The elderly woman explained, before sighing.
"But at this point, she lost all hope that will ever happen. After all, if you haven't done so in the sixteen years that she's been alive, what makes her think you'll ever accept her now?!..."Ida said, being as blunt as humanly possible.
"We were just trying to protect her and make sure she didn't get into any trouble or be around bad influences!..."Jeremy tried, but his mother frowned.
Ida scoffed.
"Bad influences?! HA! That's rich coming from you. If she had hung out with the kids YOU wanted her to hang out with, she probably would have been hanging out with that same awful Bevier girl, that rotten Loadman boy and those rotten kids at their school who think their parents' money gives them a right to act like they are better than everyone else..."Ida pointed out.
"Do not go act criticize Sam's taste in friends when you two idiots literally need a reality check just to breathe!..."She berated.
"We didn't know that Loadman brat was so terrible back then and we made sure to tell Reginald to keep him away from Sammy! And how were we supposed to know Stella's stepdaughter was a complete psycho who can't even tell the difference between a ghost and a boy who doesn't want to date her?!..."Jeremy insisted, while his mother frowned even harder now.
"You're doing it again, Jeremy. You're making excuses for yourself and not making any effort or taking responsibility for your own actions...or in both your cases lack of actions..."Ida said, and her son glared at him.
"Well, what do you know, you hippie jail bird?! Any mistakes that I've made in raising Sam is because I probably learned them from you during the rare times you actually WERE home and not doing crazy stuff that probably would have gotten you arrested if you got caught!..."Jeremy snapped and Ida glared at him.
"Jeremy Mordecai Manson, you watch your tone! I am your mother and the one who OWNS this house! Are you really going to try and let out your frustrations out on me and not expect me to dish out a proper punishment? Need I remind you that I pay your bills..."Ida said in warning, frustrating her son even more now.
"There you go again! You claim to be a free spirit and good judge of one's character, but every time I say something you don't like, you pull that card to try and get your way!..."Jeremy accused.
"If you don't like it, move out and get your own place. but just know you have to get a job to pay for it..."Ida said, knowing just the right buttons to press on her son.
"I doubt any hospitals will hire a doctor who never got into medical school...even on his third try..."Jeremy said bitterly, and Ida sighed and shook her head as they had this conversation a million times before.
"Just because you couldn't get into medical school Jeremy, didn't mean you had to give up on your dreams. You still could have kept trying or find another job and earn a living like everyone else. There's plenty of careers for crying out loud. Oy vey, my old man made his fortune putting cellophane on deli toothpicks and he did that without a college degree..."Ida pointed out.
Her son frowned, crossed his arms and looked away from her. His mother sighed, knowing how stubborn he is. It was the only thing Sam really inherited from him to be honest.
"Jeremy, this has gone on long enough and you have to move on already! Your father, may he rest in peace, and I told you we didn't care if you became a doctor or not. We wanted you to experience the pride and appreciation one of life's pleasures of achieving your dream through hard work. An experience that you gave up on far too easily..."Ida said, shaking her head.
Her son had once had high hopes of becoming a doctor like his father and tried and studied hard to get into the same medical school Mordecai went. Jeremy was actually a studious boy and got good grades...but he just didn't make the cut, even with their family connections.
It was a bad time for him. Really bad.
He was depressed for a long time and Ida tried to be there for him, but her son only became worse as started hanging out with the other rich spoiled brats who also didn't make the cut and was influenced by their toxic views on life and their belief that the rich shouldn't have to try so hard when they were already part of such influential families in society. It's a miracle he didn't end up like Donovan Loadman, or those bratty friends of his. If that ever did happen then he would've been disowned immediately and left to fend for himself.
That didn't happen, thankfully. Even so, he was still depressed and kept lashing out others and hid his insecurities behind a shallow, overly peppy, superficial facade that he used to mask his own insecurities, issues, shortcomings and past failures.
The only thing that kept it from making it a truly devastating experience for him was that Pamela remained by his side the entire time and comforted him after he failed to get into medical school 3 times in a row. Jeremy had assumed she would have left him after he failed to become a doctor but surprisingly Pamela, despite being shallow, did love him and stayed with him.
It was part of the reason that made Jeremy want to marry her, especially after her parents called him a loser and she was better off without him. They even tried to set her up with another man from another rich family who actually DID get into medical school and had a promising career in the medical field. But much to Jeremy's shock, and Ida's surprise, Pamela loudly argued against her parents for looking down on him, even going so far as admitting that she was in love with Jeremy within the argument with her parents and didn't hesitate to turn down the other suitor.
Even after that, her son, however, still had doubts about his potential in the medical field and it destroyed his self-esteem. Even after both Ida and Pamela kept reminding him of his other talents, he was a shell of himself, and being around a stupid person like Pamela and their other snobby friends really made him act snobbier and even more superficial over the years and liked thinking he was better than everyone else.
And right now, he didn't believe his mother's words.
"Don't keep lying, Mom! I know you and Dad resent me because I couldn't become a doctor like he and grandpa were. I'm just a loser that tried failed 3 times in a row and gave up! I'm a wash up failure who wasn't good enough to follow Dad's footsteps! A lousy daydreamer who reached too far to the sun and got burnt!..."Jeremy said in bitterness and sounding depressed, while his wife tried to comfort him.
"Sweetheart, please! You can't keep dwelling on the past. You got to move on. I know you were sad that you didn't get in medical school, but it's not the end of the world. I still love you, even if you're not a doctor..."Pamela said, being sincere.
"For once, I agree with one thing you said...it wasn't the end of the world. So stop acting like it was and act like an adult for goodness's sake!..."Ida criticized.
Pamela and Ida almost had a mother-daughter bonding moment, before the elderly woman scowled at her, ruining it.
"And don't let that one nice thing I said about you too seriously, Missy. I still see you as a gold digger. Maybe not as much nowadays, but still a gold digger, nonetheless. The only good you did was giving us Sam..."Ida said.
"You just can't help to sour an almost sweet moment between the two of you, can you mother?..."Jeremy said, glaring at her.
"At this point, it'll be stranger if she didn't call me a gold digger after all these years. I almost consider it as a term of endearment these days..."Pamela said, to her husband, trying to lightly the mood for everyone.
"Don't ..."Ida said, still glaring at her.
"Can we please discuss something else? ..."Jeremy asked, wanting to change the subject.
"Yes, let's ..."Pamela said.
"Don't think for a second that I'm done with my lecture yet, cause I'm not..."Ida said.
"I didn't think so..."Jeremy said.
"It was still worth a try..."Pamela said, sighing.
"Like I was saying, we're not talking about my adult son refusing to grow up and move on from past disappointments. We're talking about Sam and how the two of you have got to learn to listen to your daughter and earn back her respect before it's too late..."Ida said.
"How?! We've tried everything we can think of, and she still is treating us like the plague!..."Jeremy said, still not seeing how they can fix this.
"Yeah, she's treating us like we are both invisible. If she won't let us try to talk to her, then it's hopeless..."Pamela said, not used to being this shunned their own daughter as she tried to brainstorm ideas/
"Maybe if we buy her another new wardrobe, this one her creepy goth style, maybe she'll stop sulking..."The mother said in a clueless way, and Ida groaned loudly, getting a headache.
"Talking to you is like talking to a brick wall! I say words, but you both don't seem to be listening! Also, goth fashion is plenty lovely. You too are just too tacky to appreciate it!..."The old lady said, deciding she needed to take a break before she left, feeling her age.
"My taste is NOT tacky! Why does everyone say that?!..."Pamela whined, hating that everyone had something bad to say in her choice in fashion.
"And you have some nerve to call me a brick wall! Who do you think I got my stubbornness from? Here's a hint, it wasn't Dad!..." Jeremy questioned angrily, glaring at his mother.
Ida sighed, knowing she made a lot of bad choices when she was young and she was part of the reason her son grew up to be such a resentful person. Something she kept trying to makeup for by trying to be there for Sam and help her son see the light.
"I'm not perfect, I made mistakes with you and your sister, but you always had warm meals, clothes on your back and I never let you two doubt how much I love you and I wanted you to find your own path and have the freedom to do what you want..."Ida said.
"Freedom? Is that what you call it? I needed structure, not a mother who running with any crowd she could find half the time..."Jeremy mumbled.
"At least I never tried to send you away..."Ida said, striking a nerve in her son.
Jermey wanted to retort but he couldn't. The old woman was about to leave but not before saying one more thing to her son.
"Just be careful son, things are hanging by a thread. They have been for a long time. If you and Pamela don't change and start thinking with a more open mind and put more of an effort to understanding her and her feelings, you're gonna lose Sam...and not because she got arrested or whatever horror story you told yourself to convince you it was okay to treat her like a dress up doll..."Ida said, reminding Sam's parents that this could be their last chance.
Her son and daughter in law were quiet as the old woman kept a stern look in her eyes, reminding them of their screw-up and how their damaged relationship was worsened.
"You two need to change or else she'll cut you both off from her life for good and I don't think even I'll be able to change her mind. That's what worries me the most. She's stubborn like her father, after all..."Ida said, making it clear that neither of them could afford to mess up again.
She REALLY didn't want to watch her own family falling apart without ever understanding one another
The elderly woman drove her electronic scooter away, leaving behind two parents who were left alone with their thoughts. They didn't know how they could ever be a family again and that terrified the Mansons. Because they knew that unless they found a solution, the moment their daughter was old enough to walk out that door, there was a high possibility that they wouldn't see her again.
Unknown to them, Sam hadn't really left yet. She heard every word and let out a sad sigh.
"Thanks grandma, but I doubt that will make a difference..."Sam quietly muttered to herself, as a single tear slowly fell across her cheek then was quickly wiped away and the goth girl started walking away.
End of Flashback
Present Time
Sam said nothing as she had a somber expression on her fac, but thankful she didn't have any redness in her eyes anymore, since she didn't want any of her friends to find out that she had been crying.
It went against her principles as a goth since she saw crying as a weakness. Principles that she sometimes wishes she didn't have.
She still felt hurt by what her parents did, and even more that they still didn't accept her for who she is, and just wanted to buy her forgiveness so they didn't have to feel guilty anymore.
It her a lot, but she didn't want her friends or anyone else to know how much it hurt her.
"Whatever. I don't care. As soon as I'm 18, I'm out of that place for good..."She thought, making it clear that she still hasn't forgiven her parents.
She probably won't any time soon. Yet a small part of her deep inside tightly held on to whatever fragment was left of her hopes that her parents will eventually come to accept her for the person she wants to be.
Still, she put it aside in favor of hearing everyone else out.
"So, what about your folks, Tucker?..."Val asked.
"My parents still feel super guilty about not believing me in the beginning. They even bought that new laptop I had been on my Christmas list. They also removed my limited screen time with all my tech, but my curfew was still non-negotiable. Other than that, things are looking pretty great..."Tucker said with almost upbeat tone.
"At least they realized they were wrong and tried to help. That's what matters..."Jazz said.
"Yeah, I'm just glad that they believed me in the end before we had to talk about sending me to military school and that your parents managed to talk sense into them..."Tucker said.
"Same here. My Dad still feels bad for doubting me and has been trying his best to make up for it. I'm just glad that he trusts me again..."Val said, just happy that things were back to normal for them.
Actually, something did change for them. Like with Danny's parents, Colette's mom and stepmoms paid compensation for what happened, including to her. Her dad said that it was A LOT of money too. Her dad still didn't tell her how much it was, but he did say that a lot of financial burdens would be easier now.
It was a small silver lining to this horrible experience, but it still wasn't enough for her to forgive that brat for what she did.
She will NEVER forgive Colette for the stunt she pulled, and the others were in agreement. However, right now, they weren't talking about that. They kept talking about what to do next.
Sam, on the other hand, was only partly listening as she kept replaying some of the moments of that conversation her grandma had with her parents.
"I know that I don't care about whatever my folks try to do to get me to forgive them...so why do I still feel sad?!..."Sam mentally asked herself, confused by her own conflicting emotions regarding her parents.
The goth girl did her absolute best not to show any sign of sadness in front of her friends. This was not the time for sad faces. Especially with what Tucker said next.
"So you-know-who's parents are sending her to jolly ol' England..."Tucker informed everyone.
"By my calculations, based on the time Mrs. Bevier said, the plane should land there in about 4 hours or so..."Jazz said.
"Then, I guess now is the best time we can make her remember to stay the heck away from all of us if she really knows what's good for herself..."Danny said, recalling Ember's suggestion and was more than ready to use it now.
Star and everyone else silently nodded their head in agreement.
"I'm SO bringing my phone to record this..." Star said under her breath in excitement.
Meanwhile
On a private jet
About several thousand feet in the air, inside a luxurious private jet, 3 people were not happy during the flight. Not even close.
It was Colette Bevier, along with her angry father Jean-Luc and her disappointed mother, Suzette Dumont. This is the first time all three have them have been together like this since the divorce, and it was not a happy occasion to say the least.
Colette was quiet as her father kept berating her, while Suzette frowned still struggling to find the right words to properly express her emotions as her ex-husband continued to rant.
"Disgraceful! I can't believe you went that far! How could you do this to us, Colette?!..."Jean-Luc said, angry and disappointed in her.
He had hired the best lawyers possible to prove her innocence and try and turn the tables on Johnathan and that Fenton boy, but thanks to the confession, along with some voice recording and a bunch of other evidence that somehow came from the internet that revealed more of his daughter's actions and "childish pranks", he was left with very few options when those peasants provided their proof, so he gave in and his lawyer suggested pleading guilty.
During the trail, he was completely back to a corner and secretly felt that everyone was spiraling out of proportion.
"Honestly these peasants are making a mountain out of a molehill. I did far worst things to that traitor Jean Alain and no one cared..."Jean Luc thought at the time before resuming with his current problem with that involved his daughter.
There was certainly no way out of this PR nightmare of a lawsuit in this trail and his many expensive lawyers even considered an insanity please after she began yelling that Fenton Boy and the ghost boy were one and the same, and suddenly had an allergic reaction in the middle of the trail when her face suddenly had a lot of boils and zits.
That was what made Jean-Luc realize that they had no hope of acquittal and just gave up. With no way of sweeping any of this under the rug, the rich man recognized the lost battle and this time he had to listen to everything his expensive lawyers advised. While he usually took the words of his many lawyers as suggestions and did whatever he pleased afterwards if what they suggested didn't convenience him.
This time, however, he had no choice to accept this, but he knew that his reputation was going to be really damaged after this and it would take many years to recover from this embarrassing situation.
That is what he was most angry about right now and it was the main reason he was scolding his daughter.
"This is what you deserved, you ungrateful child! I gave you everything you could ever want, and this is how you repay me?! All I ever asked of you is to behave as a proper member of our family and not embarrass us and this is what you do?!..."Jean Luc scolded, glaring at her.
His daughter said nothing, just looking at the floor with an angry expression on her face as the rich man kept berating her.
"Because of you, we have lost face and became the laughing stocks of High Society! You embarrassed our family's powerful name and sullied our prestigious reputation! And for what?! All because you foolishly allowed yourself to fall for that worthless peasant boy who repeatedly told you no! Beviers do not insist on those who foolishly reject us and we do not venture after those beneath us!..."Jean-Luc said, glaring at her.
"Do not even think for a moment this is a vacation, so get that thought out of your mind! You're being punished and that's not all! If you think for one moment that I will keep paying for your shopping... dream on!..."The father said, making it clear that he will not forget nor forgive this incident any time soon.
Colette was still silent, but her father wasn't done yet.
"It looks like I'll have to start grooming Pierre as soon as he can walk with sophistication in his steps, so he doesn't become a disgrace like you..."Jean Luc said, glaring at her.
Colette said nothing to him as she digested it. In her mind, she surmised this outburst from her father as an act against her.
"So, even you have turned against me too, Papa..."She thought, feeling angry at his betrayal but said nothing.
Suzette frowned as she finally spoke up.
"While I normally don't agree with your father and his emotional outbursts. I'm making an exception this time...though not all of it..."The mother said, since she knew that her ex-husband was upset with their daughter for the wrong reasons.
Even so, she kept speaking to her daughter.
"There are going to be a lot of changes for now on. Firstly, I'm the one who will be responsible for managing your life now, starting with your education and therapy. This school is only the first step in rehabilitating yourself and reforming you. And with me moving here, I'll be able to keep an eye on you and keep you out of trouble..."Suzette said, leaving no room to doubt.
After the trial, she decided that she would take a sabbatical from her work and move here to make sure that her daughter didn't cause any more trouble and that she didn't ditch her therapy sessions. Or bribe her way out of them either.
Suzette was going to give her daughter her full attention this time around and will make doubly sure not to fall for any tricks from Colette either.
She knew that this incident would negatively affect her reputation, but she didn't care about that. What she cared about was saving her daughter from herself and the destructive path she was on.
Otherwise, it would mean her daughter was beyond her reach.
"I just hope that you reflect upon your actions. I know you don't see it this way Colette, but this is for your own good and we are doing this out of love. By the time this rehabilitation of yours is over, hopefully you will finally come to realize all the pain you've caused other and repent, as well as work towards redeeming yourself..."Suzette said, just hoping she would learn her lesson soon.
Her daughter remained silent, looking emotionless at what her biological mother said to her as the flight continued. The fake redhead brat simply remained sitting on her set with a sour expression on her face.
It was clear she had no guilt, only resentment towards her mother and everyone else whom she blamed for her fall from grace.
Hours later
The plane soon landed and the Beviers and Suzette were soon met by paparazzi, journalists and gossip hounds who heard about the incident that happened on the other side of the world and were trying to get as much information as possible on the matter.
Jean Luc tried to shoo away most of the paparazzi, but not the ones that he hired beforehand, while striking photogenic poses in hopes of trying to not look even worse after what had happened.
Suzette saw this and shook her head in disgust and annoyance.
"He hasn't changed one bit, a very vain man to the very end!..." She thought, regretting ever letting him get custody of their daughter in the first place.
"Had I been a more active presence in Colette's life, then maybe she wouldn't have turn out like this..."She thought, deeply regretting her past choices and not stopping him from getting custody.
But it was too late and the damage was done. All they could do now is to make sure her daughter receives her punishment and that she also gets the help she needs.
A limo soon appeared, and they were sent directly to a building that Colette did not recognize.
It was an old looking place, probably from the Victorian era. In her eyes it was something that should have been taken down a long time ago, for something much more acceptable like a mall. The location was a wide area with high chain fences, cameras, and men with dogs roaming the outside.
Colette Bevier was furious as she saw from the limo and looked at her "new home", a feeling her parents shared. Her father was furious, as was her mother but for different reasons. Before they step out, Jean Luc had one more thing to say to this child.
"Because you are my only daughter, this is your LAST chance. Do NOT disgrace us again or I will make Pierre my SOLE heir to the family fortune. I'm serious! One more slip up and you will no longer have the right to bear the Bevier name. Then you will be left with nothing! Remember that!..." Jean Luc said, his tone serious as he was warning her one last time.
Colette knew he was not playing around. This really was her final opportunity. If she messed up again, there would be no alternative.
Suzette frowned at her ex-husband's lack of tact, demeanor and empathy. She shook her head, feeling so much regret right now.
"I never should have listened to Mother and Father when they and Jean-Luc's parents played matchmaker for us. What was I thinking?!..."The woman thought, wishing that she had seen Jean-Luc look for what he truly was and rejected him back then.
She could have spared herself so much pain, but she can't change the past now.
Anyway, they soon were greeted by some of the school staff and were soon escorted inside, where the rest of Colette's fate would soon be decided.
Inside
Once the Beviers entered the headmaster's office, they were met with an elderly woman with gray hair tied in an old fashion bun dressed in an old fashion black uniform. However, she had a very strict, almost military like demeanor as she gave the family a military salute and sent them a strict look before they continued.
"So, you must be the Beviers. I have been expecting you..." The elderly woman said, a look that lack any positive emotions crossing on her face.
Jean Luc, Suzette and Colette were soon seated and speaking to the headmaster.
"I take it that you are Headmistress Bludworth?..."Suzette asked curiously.
"Yes, I am Headmistress Agatha Rhoda Bludworth-Higgins. Welcome to The Bludworth Academy..." The Headmistress confirmed curtly, lacking any warmth in her tone.
"Let's cut to the chase, I have already spoken with the lawyers and authorities and rest assured, I'll make sure that by the end of your daughter's stay, she'll learn to have a better outlook on life and will learn how to not be a burden on society..."The old woman said, sending a stern look at her new student.
Colette said nothing, she could only watch helplessly while her parents kept arranging her prison sentence.
"You think that you can succeed in making sure Colette's behavior improves when so many of my wives failed?..." Jean Luc asked with a deep frown, ignoring the glare from his first ex-wife.
Now despite his coldness towards his daughter, he really did want her to shape up and get past this embarrassing fiasco that tarnished the Bevier name. The elderly military-like woman sent him a glare but decided to just be civil and ignore the man's condescending tone and got to the point.
"Mr. Bevier. I have been running this academy for over thirty years and all my pupils are given exactly what they need in order to learn from their past errors and become productive members of society. Your daughter will be no different. You can count on it..." The headmistress said with sheer determination in her voice.
Colette couldn't help but gulp hearing this. She just kept quiet as her mother began to ask more questions.
"And what about Colette's therapy sessions?..." Suzette asked, since they were court ordered and they had signed contract detailing how mandatory those sessions are.
"She has already been scheduled to see Dr. Wilson twice a week to show herself in. Skipping those sessions is unbecoming and unacceptable and it will lead to a severe reprimand if she misses even one appointment..." The Headmistress promised evenly.
"Okay. I promise to escort Colette straight towards the office..." Suzette said, wanting her daughter to get the help for her mental health that Colette desperately needs.
"Are you sure this...doctor...will make my daughter a proper member of high society again?..."Jean Luc asked bluntly, ignoring the glare from his ex-wife.
"Mr. Bevier. Dr. Willson has been working with some of our academy's most unruly students for over twenty years. She is an expert in her field. Your daughter will be in the most capable hands..." The headmistress said firmly.
"I sure hope so..." Suzette thought.
"That better be the case. For her sake..." Jean-Luc said.
The cold stare he was sending Colette made the fake redhead wince, knowing full well what he was implying.
"Papa..."Colette thought in sadness, hating that he was looking at her like this.
Suzette then spoke with the school staff and made some last-minute arrangements. She and Jean-Luc filled out the final paperwork and it was all set.
Before they left, Jean-Luc gave his daughter a disappointed glare then left without even saying goodbye, something that the fake redhead almost cry as her father went back to the limo, not saying a word to her.
"Papa. You too have abandoned me?..." Colette thought sadly as she saw her father walk away, just like everyone else in her life.
She was so distracted by this that she failed to see her mother Suzette approaching her.
"Okay. My new address near here...so I will be able to show up In a jiffy if needed. Please try to learn from these new mentors, they're here to help you just like I am..." Suzette said, being strict but also caring.
She really was trying to reassure her daughter, but Colette refused to speak to her and simply huffed out of disapproval, which made Suzette frown. Colette was determined to give her the cold shoulder but unfortunately for her, the decision was final and wouldn't be getting out of this. she needed to learn that actions have consequences.
So, Suzette decided on a final measure, something that may have seem drastic, but she needed to make her point across. She sighed dejectedly.
Suzette hated doing this but Colette had done plenty of horrible things and she longer trusted her with one of their family's most important heirlooms. She silently removed a priceless pearl necklace that her daughter had been wearing, something that caught the spoiled brat by surprise ad she gasped.
"Mama? What are you doing with my necklace?!..."Colette demanded, trying to reach for them but her mother refused to give them back.
"I'll be taking this back, Colette!..." Suzette said firmly, holding the valuable necklace in her hands.
"It's more than clear that you don't deserve to wear something that means so much to me... To our bloodline... You have proven to me that family means very little to you and you only care what others will do for you and the monetary value of things rather than true friendship and the sentimental importance. I hope the day comes when that changes and you are worthy of our family's necklace again but until that happens, this necklace is out of your reach because I don't trust you with it..."The stern mother said, while her daughter looked even more distraught now.
"But Mama!..."Colette said in distress as she really wanted her necklace back but her mother refused to let her near it.
"No buts, Colette!..." Suzette snapped. "You'll get it back when I see you truly learned your lesson and feel remorse for what you done! I just pray that day comes!..."The mother said, making it clear that she will not change her mind about this.
And with that, Suzette began to walk away but not before saying one last thing to her daughter.
"Au revoir, Colette. I will return tomorrow for your first therapy session. Please just listen to your teachers..."She said and with that, she headed towards the limo.
Her daughter was still processing was happening with utter horror at the loss of not only the life she previously had, but also her precious necklace. Yet another thing was taken away from her and she was furious. However, the fake redhead could do nothing about it as she was handed over to the school staff and then escorted towards her dorm room.
Suzette and Jean Luc watched as their daughter was soon walked away from their sights. Suzette had a heartbroken look on her face, while Jean-Luc frowned in anger and disappointment.
"She just better learn to behave..."Jean-Luc said, still as cold feeling as before.
Suzette said nothing to this as she watched him leave in the limo without her. She didn't care since she quickly arranged her own transportation. She soon left the school in her own vehicle to her new address, hoping that what she's doing now will lead to a better tomorrow for her child.
Even so, she felt tears form in her eyes as she thought about her daughter and how much she failed her as a mother. She remained in the back of her limo, crying as her driver kept focusing on the road.
"If only I had done more... If only I could have been more attentive...if only I saw the signs... it wouldn't have come to this..."She thought as more tears fell from her eyes.
She glanced at the necklace that was in her hands, and she recalled the day she had given it to her daughter, a day that had been very special but now seemed bittersweet.
She recalled the past, back when her child was still sweet, innocence and had no wickedness in her heart. Back when times were much simpler for them.
Back before her marriage fell apart and before their family's life was destroyed before she even realized it.
FLASHBACK
About 12 years old
A much younger Suzette Bevier was enjoying a pleasant Sunday morning in the garden of her family's estate, enjoying her tea.
She had been enjoying her tea as the servants prepared her snack and were tidying up the garden around the vast estate that has been in the Bevier family for generations.
"I'm so glad to have finally spend some time out of my office. Starting up a charity is more stressful and time consuming than I thought. At least when it's all over, all the profits will go to help those who need it most..."Suzette thought as she sipped her tea.
Her husband was away on a business trip, but would return the day after tomorrow, so she was left alone to do as she pleased as she enjoyed her day off from work and could relax with her beverage and enjoy her garden's beauty.
That is when an adorable little girl who looked exactly like Suzette, but with curly brown hair that was the same shade as her husband's decorated with an adorable yellow bow with diamonds on it and wearing an adorable matching dress started running to her in excitement.
It was her four-year-old daughter, Colette Anastasie Marie Bevier.
"Mama! Mama!..."Little Colette said happily as she ran to her mother.
Suzette smiled and went to her.
"Yes, Mon petit angel? What has you so full of energy today, Darling?..."She asked as she picked up her daughter and held her arms.
"Will you play with me, Mama? I wanna play dolls and have a tea party!..." Little Colette said as she smiled angelically to her mother.
Suzette responded by hugging her and kissing her daughter's forehead before responding.
"Well, I do have time off today. I suppose I could spare a little time for my favorite daughter..."Suzette said, making her child happy.
"Yay! Thank you, Mama!..."The little girl cheered as they went inside to play.
Later
While Suzette was played with her daughter with some of little Colette's favorite dolls and the two had a tea party just as she wanted, the young girl was starting to lose interest very soon. Having been pampered all of her life, the little girl began to believe that the world revolves around her and her wants and needs.
She also believed that if she wanted something, all she had to do was tell her Mama and Papa and soon she would have it. As the little girl got bored of the tea party, she remembered how much she had fun at a nearby amusement park a few weeks ago and wanted to go again, so she asked her mother.
"Mama...can we go to the amusement park today too?..."Little Colette asked, giving her the cutest look on her face.
Suzette, who never could say no to her precious baby girl, just smiled and couldn't refuse her.
"Well, I suppose we can go there to spend a little time and have some fun...'Suzette said, unwilling to deny her precious daughter's request.
This made her daughter smile widely and she cheered and giggled happily. It made Suzette's heart melt.
"YAY! Thank you, Mama! And then can we go get ice cream? And go to the toy store and get a new dollhouse for each of my dolls? And can we also get some candy? And can we get a birdhouse with a pretty bird inside? And can we buy new dresses and shoes too? I haven't had any new ones since yesterday. Please...Mama...Please!..."Little Colette said, looking excited and giving her puppy eyes to get her to say yes.
Suzette normally was really busy with her job, and the days she was free, she wanted to spend them with her daughter and making her smile. So, the wealthy woman just smiled and continued doting her daughter., not having it in her to say no to her.
"Of course, Darling. You can have anything you want, my adorable little Colette. Nothing is too good for you..."Suzette said in a doting way to her beloved daughter, before turning to a nearby servant.
"Jaques, please prepare the limousine and hold any calls I might be receiving today..."Suzette ordered.
"Yes, Madame Bevier..."Her servant said with a bow before going to do his assigned task.
Once that was done Suzette readied herself to spend the afternoon spoiling her 4-year-old daughter, unknowingly and slowly influencing Colette's need to have whatever she wanted whenever she desires something without even realizing it.
Neither realized that since to them, this was just a nice outing between mother and daughter as they spent the whole day together, something that was rare due to Suzette working most days of the week but would then spoil her daughter as much as possible whenever she had free time.
And today was one of those days.
The mother and daughter enjoyed their day together in Paris and spending time together shopping and buying Colette every pretty dress or toy that she wanted. Suzette wasted no time on buying them with her credit card to make her child happy.
After that, they had lunch at Suzette's favorite café, and both she and Colette ate a delicious, gourmet fish and soup along with some iced cold pink lemonade. Later, they both had dessert, which was some delicious gourmet chocolate crepes, one of Colette's favorite treats.
After that, they went to the amusement park and had fun going on the rides together and Colette looked the happiest she was. As they went to buy Colette some souvenirs, the little saw something that belonged to her mother that caught her attention.
She was looking at her pearl necklace and she always admired it and thought it was pretty. She wanted a necklace like that too.
"Mama, your necklace is pretty..."Little Colette said, looking at it with admiration.
"Thank you, mon petit angel..."Suzette said, looking at it.
This necklace was an heirloom in her family, having been owned by her grandmother who then passed it down to her daughter, who then passed it down to Suzette. It was a precious family heirloom and one of Suzette's most prize possessions.
"Mama, I want a necklace as pretty as yours. Can you please go get me one?..."Little Colette suddenly asked, really wanting it.
Suzette considered just buying her a new necklace...she had more than enough money to do so, but she then looked at her necklace and then her daughter and got an idea.
"Well...I have an even better idea, Darling..."Suzette said as she removed her necklace, while her daughter was confused.
"What are you doing, Mama?..."Little Colette said, only for her mother to present her the necklace.
"Colette, this necklace has been in Mama's family for a very long time. It's very special to me...and now I want you to have it..."Suzette said, while her daughter gasped.
"You mean it's mine now?..."She asked in amazement as Suzette nodded.
"Yes, it is. Now Colette. I want you to promise me that you'll take good care of Mama's necklace and not to lose it. Alright?..."Suzette asked, and her daughter nodded in excitement.
"I promise nothing and no one comes near it, Mama! It's mine now and I will let no one else have it..."The little girl said, as her mother helped her with the necklace.
Once she had it on, Little Colette hugged her mother, who hugged her back.
"I love it! I love you, Mama!..."The child said, hugging her happily as she was happy with her gift.
"Mama loves you too, Mon Petit Colette..."Suzette said sincerely, as she hugged her child.
"Do I look pretty with it, Mama?..."Her daughter asked.
"Like a princess, Angel..." Suzette said, and her daughter looked happy to hear that.
"Yay, I'm a princess!..."She said, making her mother laugh and find her even more adorable now.
The mother and daughter then continued to spend the rest of the day together at the amusement park, with Suzette doting and fawning over her daughter, and Colette being treated so wonderfully by her loving mother.
The day would end up being a very special memory for the both of them, though both had no idea at the time that these days would be numbered and in the worst way imaginable.
End Of Flashback
Present Time
The memory made Suzette cry even more. That was the start of her daughter going on an evil path and she didn't even realize it.
The daughter whom she thought was a sweet little princess now had the heart and personality of a monster!
"Where did I go wrong?! I must have spoiled her too much! I didn't do enough to be a presence in her life, and I should have made sure she didn't get everything so easily! What's wrong with me?!..."The rich woman said in a low voice, covering her face with her hands as she cried.
That innocent little girl has been dead within Colette for years and she didn't know it. She needed to do something to change that.
She was hopeful that with her here, she could be able to help Colette better and redeem herself for all the damages she's done to others. Or at least that is what she was expecting to be the end goal.
"I just hope that it's not too late. She is still young and there is still a chance for her to be a better version of her current self. Maybe once this is all over...my little girl could be the kind soul she once was and should have been from the start had I fought harder to get custody of her and raised her properly. And who knows...one day Colette might thank me for this..." Suzette thought naively, but also with determination, she wanted to believe that this experience will teach her daughter a valuable lesson and she'll become a better person as a result.
Maybe then, if she meant it, they could truly reconcile and become close again like they once were.
Back when life wasn't so complicated. Back when her little Colette's heart wasn't so full of hatred, jealousy and greed. She could only hope that in time, her little girl would regret all that she has done and change for the better.
Unknown to Suzette, that couldn't be the farthest thing from the truth.
After all, a narcissist always thinks they're the victim and Colette is no different. Suzette had yet to realize that.
The worried mother didn't know it but things were not over for what terrible things her daughter is capable of.
Not in the slightest.
-To be continued-
Next time on Blackmailed
Colette's Lament
A/N(1): I dedicate this chapter to my family, my friends and my love for God :)
A/N(2): Special thanks to NeoMark, 61394, BCW, Invader Johnny, Luiz4200 and Jay The Average Fanboy for all their help. You guys rock :)
A/N(3): Be on the lookout for my upcoming story called "Bliss", which will be a midquel to this fic. It will be a story about Danny and Star's half-a-versary.
A/N(4): Special thanks to Jay The Average Fanboy for writing 11 reviews in a row. You rock :)
REPLIES to my loyal and totally awesome reviewer:
RonaldM40196867: Thank you :)
Here are my responses to your questions:
1) Thank you but I appreciate you asking this to me as a message. Please and thank you
2) Jean Luc mentioned that Colette humiliated him and disgraced their family. So, I would say his reputation received notable damage.
3) Suzette is going to be staying in England to keep an eye on Colette. And no, the stepmoms have already returned home.
4) He will no longer be part of the A-listers and will try and live a better life now.
5) Thanks for the suggestion. I will consider it but no spoilers. I guess that we will have to wait and see what happens.
Chris J: Thanks for the suggestion. I will consider it but no spoilers. I guess that we will have to wait and see what happens.
Menatron the Angel of Ideas: I will see what I can do.
61394: :)
Scooter2: I will see what I can do.
Jebest4781, KellBell35, CZS4, JDF Legacier Morphicon and Glen: Thank you :)
Guardian1989: How is this so far?
Luiz4200: I guess that we will have to wait and see what happens.
Martinseg: Thank you :)
Here are my responses to your questions:
1) As shown here, their relationship has soured a lot.
2) I agree that Suzette should have been more involved in Colette's life, she messed up. She acknowledges that and is trying to fix her mistakes.
3) I agree that Suzette should have been more involved in Colette's life, she messed up. She acknowledges that and is trying to fix her mistakes.
4) Suzette is moving to England and will keep an eye on Colette now while she is attending her new school.
5) The incident really affected Jean-Luc and Suzette's reputations in a negative way, to say the least.
6) The trail already happened, and Jean-Luc and Suzette's reputations have been affected negatively. Suzette knows that she messed up and is going to try and fix her mistakes. Also, more details of Colette and Suzette's relationship will be revealed in the future.
7) Her reputation has been affected negatively by this event, but she is more worried about Colette's future.
8) She is taking a sabbatical to move to England and be there for Colette now that she is going to attend her new boarding school.
9) Sorry, no spoilers. I guess that we will have to wait and see what happens.
10) Sorry, no spoilers. I guess that we will have to wait and see what happens.
11) I'm not sure about an interview but Suzette knows she made a horrible mistake and wants to try and make up for it.
12) She is taking a sabbatical to move to England and be there for Colette now that she is going to attend her new boarding school.
13) Suzette is aware that Colette's life is pretty much ruined now and is deeply hoping there is still a chance to change her future for the better.
14) Suzette and Stella both realize they royally messed up.
Invader Johnny, Rock1030 and Jacob Cook: Yeah.
Luffy is king: Thank you for the suggestions. I will see what I can do but I don't think Colette's mother would say that to her.
Guest(1): Thanks. Also, no worries.
Danifan3000:
1) She has been sent to an extremely strict boarding school as part of her punishment.
2) I don't think that she would stoop that low, but Danny and the others are aware that she is still a threat, and Ember has an idea to teach her a lesson.
3) I see Colette similar to Lila and Chloe from Miraculous Ladybug.
4) Sorry, no spoilers. I guess that we will have to wait and see what happens.
Jay The Average Fanboy: Thank you :)
Here are my responses to your questions:
1) They were more like acquaintances.
2) He is getting better.
3) They gave Danielle a PDA and other stuff to communicate with them in case of an emergency.
4) Probably.
5) Probably the same as Danny and Tucker.
6) I don't think so.
7) Sorry, no spoilers. I guess that we will have to wait and see what happens.
8) I don't know.
9) Sorry, no spoilers. I guess that we will have to wait and see what happens.
10) I think it would be quite different.
Guest(2):
1) Thank you for the suggestion. I will consider it.
2) I guess that we will have to wait and see what happens.
3) How is this?
4) Thank you for the suggestion. I will consider it.
5) He was mad, just like all the other parents were.
6) I don't know. While Sam might be a vegetarian, I do think she would do whatever it is to properly take care of an animal in her care.
7) Thank you :)
8) Thank you :)
:) I hope you enjoyed this! Remember to read and review :)
