Chapter 74 Connections That Count

• Thomas's tears flowed uncontrollably, fear gripping his small frame. It was he who had stolen the jelly, but he had falsely accused Andrew and Deirdre instead. Nancy, fully aware of the truth, had conspired to frame them, eager to please Thomas's parents.
• Andrew and Deirdre, who came from impoverished single-parent households, were easy targets for such manipulation. The middle-aged woman sneered, her face etched with disdain, "Where do these uncivilized children come from, scaring our Thomas to tears? Apologize to us now, or my husband will make sure you regret crossing our path! You must be the father of these two wretched children, and truly, like father like son. Disgusting."
• She continued her tirade, unleashing her fury like a shrew, "Your child is a natural thief! Irredeemable! These wild creatures deserve nothing but death!"