Chapter 287
Davina noticed what was happening and turned to the stunned nanny. “Rosalia, stop them. Don’t let them file a lawsuit p>
Rosalia clearly had a close relationship with Davina and wasted no time jumping in. She shoved past Camilla and planted herself in front of Bonnie, arms outstretched. “What lawsuit are you talking about? Kids always roughhouse. It’s really nothing serious. Besides, your kids started it, so you should be the ones paying up p>
Davina’s face tightened with frustration. Rosalia was being way too polite for her liking. “Why are you talking so much? I asked you to keep an eye on a child and you couldn’t even handle that. Instead of explaining, figure out how to fix this already p>
That snapped Rosalia into action. She glanced around, then dropped to the floor, started slapping her thighs, and wailed loud enough to echo through the mall. “Oh, someone help me! These people are too much! Kids mess around and fight a bit, it’s totally normal, but they want to sue? I’m just an old woman trying to earn a living. I finally managed to find a job, and now this. Daisy is so sweet, and those two kids ganged up on her. Now her parents are looking to sue. Is there any fairness left in the world p>
The mall was packed and most shoppers had just been minding their own business, but Rosalia’s shrill voice cut through the noise, drawing everyone’s attention. People started drifting over, curious to see the scene unfolding.
Within moments, Camilla and Bonnie were trapped by a dense ring of strangers. Bonnie, who was usually calm and collected, stared in disbelief, lost in the commotion. She’d never seen anything like this.
Camilla, on the other hand, wasn’t all that surprised. She’d witnessed Davina’s family pull these kinds of stunts before. Looks like Davina’s nanny had picked up a thing or two from them.
Rosalia saw the growing crowd and took her performance up another notch. “How did my life get so hard? My husband ran off with another woman when I was young, left me with two daughters to raise on my own. I finally landed a job, and now they’re going to ruin me! Two kids against poor Daisy, and then they have the nerve to sue? It’s too much, just too much p>
Her cries rang loud, slicing through the chatter. She even clutched her head as she rolled on the floor, making sure everyone was watching. Davina, quiet and composed, nudged Daisy, who sniffled and let her eyes fill with tears.
One was howling for the world to hear, the other sobbed softly. To a stranger, they looked like victims who’d just been deeply wronged.
Rosalia, probably about fifty, made her act believable enough that whispers of sympathy started to spread.
“Wow, poor woman. Isn’t anyone going to help her up p>
“Heard it was just some kids fighting. The two of them picked on that little girl, and now her parents want to sue. The nanny’s scared she’ll lose her job p>
“Seriously? Kids fight all the time. I don’t see any of them hurt. Those parents are overreacting p>
“Suing because of a playground spat? That’s really petty p>
“Come on, look how desperate she is. Give her a break. If you go through with the lawsuit, the nanny might get fired, and then what p>
All around, the noise grew, everyone throwing in their opinions, making it nearly impossible to block out.
Elaine burrowed deeper into Bonnie’s embrace, whispering, “Mom, maybe we should just let this go… I’m fine.” She could hear the crowd blaming her mom, calling her out, and she didn’t want to see her mother become the villain.
Jasper tried to explain, voice steady. “That’s not what happened. She was the one who started it. She p>
A voice in the crowd cut him off. “Kids are bound to argue or fight. Even if she said something first, that doesn’t mean it’s okay for the two of you to hit her. Aren’t you a little young to be so heartless? Can’t you see how upset that woman is? Where’s your empathy? Honestly, it’s appalling p>
Jasper clamped his lips together, at a loss for words.
Camilla gently rested her hand on the back of his head, giving him a reassuring rub. Then she leveled her gaze at Davina, who was keeping quiet at the edge of the group. “So what’s your endgame here? Why all this drama p>
Davina refused to step forward and face her directly. Instead, she flicked her eyes toward Rosalia, giving her a silent cue.
Rosalia picked up where Davina left off. “It’s just a minor fight between kids, so let them work it out. Daisy got hurt today. If your children apologize to her, I’ll have something to report back, and I won’t let Davina and Barnard blame you for hitting her. How about that p>
She had dropped the theatrics, offering what sounded like a reasonable solution. But Camilla just let out a cold chuckle.
The crowd immediately seized on it. “Yeah! Just have the kids apologize. Let them sort it out themselves. There’s no need for the parents to get involved p>
“Sounds more than fair to me. Just settle it and spare everyone the scene p>