Chapter 995

Lara relayed to Liam everything Jovie had told her. As Liam listened, the pieces fell into place, and he grasped the full scope of the situation.

On the other end of the line, Lara was met with silence. She mistook Liam's quiet for a sign of guilt. Before Liam could say a word in his defense, Lara pressed on, "Mr. Cole, as Jovie's teacher, I have to say, the way you're handling this isn't right. You can't just tell fibs around a child. She's young, and she believes what you say.

"I get it, you want to be her hero and make her proud. However, that doesn't mean you should mislead her. Honestly, this approach to parenting isn't working." Lara paused, taking a deep breath before she continued with heartfelt concern, "Mr. Cole, you really can't go on like this. You've got to set the right example. Teaching her to lie? That's going to hurt her, now and down the road."

Liam cut in before she could say more, his voice calm and steady, "Ms. Lara, I appreciate your good intentions, but I as