Chapter 4

By the time I arrived at the school, the teacher had already given Caleb a severe scolding.

The other child, his head bandaged, stood behind his parents, looking smugly at Caleb.

"He's an ill-mannered brat, clearly with no one teaching him right from wrong, hitting my son like that!"

"And to think such an uncultured student is allowed to attend this school?"

The opposing parent was aggressively demanding.

Caleb remained silent throughout.

The teacher tried to defend him but was quickly silenced by their aggression.

Upon seeing me, she looked at me like I was her last hope.

"You're Caleb's......"

But when it came to the title, she hesitated.

I looked to be in my late twenties, not much like an elder, yet Caleb had no siblings.

As I stepped into the room, Caleb lazily looked up at me.

He stared intently, a playful glint in his eyes, a smirk on his lips.

"This is my...... stepfather."

Everyone's expression changed upon hearing that.

Scrutinizing, mocking stares enveloped me.

Caleb maintained his lazy smile.

Clearly, this was his revenge, willing to even hurt himself to spite me.

"Yes, I'm Caleb's stepfather," I introduced myself directly. "Regarding Caleb hitting someone, we need to know why."

The father opposite snorted. "What reason could there be? With Caleb's upbringing, he's capable of anything."

Caleb clicked his tongue against his cheek and smirked.

He looked as if he didn't care what anyone said.

But I knew he did. He cared about people's love and affection, and he minded being blamed or insulted.

"But from what I understand, that's not right."

I looked directly at the injured child. "You know very well why Caleb hit you, don't you?"

The child was so scared by my gaze that he hid behind his parents.

"Before I came, I already checked the school security footage. Your child was verbally abusing Caleb first!"

"Of course, hitting someone is wrong no matter what. I hope both children can apologize to each other, and I will cover all of your child's medical expenses and damages."

Hearing "medical expenses and damages," the other parents' attitude softened, and his parent's tone immediately softened, eager to settle.

"Actually, boys will be boys. Fights are normal, it's not a big deal."

He nudged his son, who reluctantly lowered his head to apologize to Caleb.

Caleb, meanwhile, remained propped against the table, his cap pulled down low, completely still.

"Caleb, apologize."

He suddenly looked up at me, his gaze intense. "Why do you think I should listen to you?"

He dropped his usual playful smile, stubbornly refusing to bow his head.

After a long moment, I bent down and bowed to the child.

"I apologize. I apologize on Caleb's behalf for hitting you."

Caleb's body, which had been leaning against the table, slowly straightened.

He looked at me with a strange expression.

He seemed surprised that I would humble myself and apologize for him.

By now, the office doorway was crowded with students eager to watch the show.

I spoke each word clearly:

"Caleb is not a child without guidance or parents. He has me."

"If anyone dares to bully Caleb again, then I apologize, but I will deal with it in my own way. Feel free to test me."

On the way home, he suddenly spoke.

"Why?"

The question came out of nowhere, but I understood what he meant.

"A stepfather is still a father. I promised your mother I would take good care of you."

Caleb snorted, leaned back in his seat, and closed his eyes, resting.

When we got home, several extra cars were parked in the garage.

As we approached the front door, we saw a group of people lounging on the sofa.

Seeing Caleb, they enthusiastically greeted him.

"Caleb, Uncle Mark missed you so much!"

Faced with Caleb's indifference, Uncle Mark wasn't annoyed, still smiling broadly.

"I heard about your mother's passing. How will a child like you manage? Come live with your Uncle Mark."

As soon as he finished speaking, another person grabbed Caleb's arm.

"Caleb's last name is Smith. He's our family. Why should he go with you?"