The words of Lily Jones did not change the opinions that the other parents had about Olivia.
From their perspective, Olivia had been labeled as a child who grew up in a bad family. They would never allow their children to play with a naughty child.
Plus, she had leukemia that was terminal.
Why would anyone want to be friends with someone who was about to die?
Shouldn't they be afraid that she would be asking for money? Or pass bad luck to them?
Lily Jones, who was on the podium, looked at the cold classroom and those merciless eyes as she said, "Now, I will be announcing the names for the good student award."
"Olivia Walker, best performance in her academics.
"She has been a disciplined child and has always listened to her teachers."
These weren't usually the things that would happen during the meeting. She just wanted to tell the parents that Olivia was a wonderful child and they should not discriminate against her.
However, the rest of the parents were against it!
"Teacher Lily, if you changed it to any other children here, I would not have an opinion.
"But, Olivia Walker, how is she considered a good student?
"Do you know that her mouth is full of lies?
"She kept saying that her father is a hero."
A woman in her thirties, stood up with pride and said firmly, "If her father was a hero, would the country still allow her to be in this school?"
"Has she even met her own father?"
Riverdale Nursery School wasn't a high-class nursery. Parents with a little more money would not allow their children to be sent here.
Why would a hero's child be here then?
"Teacher Lily, we are not going against you, but your decision doesn't seem to be respectful toward our children."
"She may be a miserable child, but we don't have the obligation to sympathize with her."
"Plus, we are not the ones who are bullying her."
"..."
Following that, there were a few others that spoke up as well.
They would never allow Olivia to be chosen as the 'good student'.
The reason for this was because it made them feel uncomfortable!
"I'm not!"
Lily Jones spoke firmly, but soon, her voice was drowned in the commotion around.
She knew these parents didn't openly bully Olivia Walker but they had all been torturing her silently. This was worse than just bullying, and the outcome of it was even more severe.
"I didn't lie!
"I don't need you to sympathize with me!
"Daddy…..daddy is a big hero!!!"
Olivia Walker couldn't stand it anymore. She stood up crying and shouted, "I am not a bad child!"
"Huhuhuhu..."
The entire classroom turned quiet!
None of them said another word. It felt as if any other additional word said would be a sign of them supporting Olivia.
But, they continued to turn up their noses and showed their stand!
A hero?!
What a joke!
Was there anyone else here who didn't know that Oliver Walker left when Emilia was kicked out of the company?
He was a coward! How would he be a hero?
Lily Jones felt helpless. She was only a school teacher, and she would not be able to change these parents' opinions.
Oliver Walker watched the whole thing when he stood outside the classroom, and his heart ached.
If he didn't see it with his own eyes, he wouldn't have been able to imagine that Olivia was being treated this way in school?
He took a deep breath and calmed his emotions. He lifted up his head and walked into the classroom. "Teacher Lily, Hello!"
This time, he will not embarrass Olivia!
This time, he will be Olivia's hero!
This time, he wasn't doing it for the country but for his daughter!
It was a firm voice, and when it broke the silence, everyone turned and looked at him.
Olivia, who was crying, lifted her head as well. Her eyes were already filled with tears, but when she saw who it was, she felt so touched that she couldn't say another word.
The uncle from yesterday was here!
He actually came!
Lily Jones was confused as she asked, "May I know who you are?"
She had never met this man, but she noticed the look on Olivia's face had changed.
Perhaps, this man was indeed Olivia's...
Oliver Walker tried his best to hide his heartache. He smiled a little, walked up to Olivia, and gently wiped off the tears on her face.
For years, he hadn't done much for his daughter.
Emilia was right. He didn't deserve to be a father.
As for the rest of the parents, they frowned.
They had a lot of questions, but none of them spoke up.
Oliver Walker was no longer the Chaplain who ruled the country nor the death god on the battlefield who killed thousands of soldiers. He was just a loving father.
"My name is Oliver Walker. I am Olivia's father."
Although he was only acting it out with Olivia, he was sure of his identity.
Yesterday, he wanted to tell Olivia the truth!
But, he didn't deserve it and was worried that Olivia might hate him! He was scared that Olivia wouldn't forgive him!
Everyone else in the room was shocked to hear what he had just said!
That useless man whom Emilia saved has returned?
"Daddy!"
Olivia Walker, who never had any kind of fatherly love, had tears rolling down her cheeks. Each drop of it was the suffering she had gone through ever since she could remember.
She wanted it badly. She really wanted this man to be her father!
Even if it weren't true, the way she called him was enough to express the love and desire that she had for her father. It was touching enough to move mountains!
Lily Jones felt excited as well. She went so out of control that she felt touched after seeing the father-daughter duo.
But soon, she came back to her senses and said, "Olivia's father, nice to meet you. I am her homeroom teacher.
"I'm glad that you will be able to join us for this meeting to support my work. Please, take a seat!"
No matter how bad the rumors were and how disgusting they were...
She could still see the image of a father when she looked at Oliver Walker.
Perhaps, this man wasn't as bad as what the rumors say!
The rest of the parents were still in shock!
This…..
Did he really return?
What was he doing back here?
To be mocked?
This man left for 8 years. After failing for years, he finally returned to take over as her father?
"Teacher Lily, I'm so sorry, but I would like to take some time to speak to Olivia!"
Oliver Walker couldn't control his emotions any longer. He didn't care about how others were looking at him.
He only cared about how his daughter was feeling wronged.
Lily Jones quickly nodded her head, "Sure!"
It would be impossible for her to refuse it now!
There would definitely be a huge obstacle in Olivia's mind…..
The only way to clear it would be to give Olivia the fatherly love that she never received ever since she was a young girl.
"Thank you!"
Oliver Walker nodded his head. He didn't care about what the other parents thought because he was only thinking about what to say.
As for Olivia, she thought that this was part of an act. She continued looking with hopeful eyes at the man. Despite only meeting him yesterday, he was the only man who gave her unlimited warmth and love.
As they looked at each other, it felt like time had stopped.
The warmth of it was enough to block all the judgemental looks around them!
Oliver took out the letter that Olivia wrote to him. Although there were lots of grammatical errors with spelling mistakes and the meanings were hard to guess, he could still understand how his daughter must have missed him dearly.
Olivia was only a child in nursery school. A lot of the children of her age would not know how to write phrases, but his daughter could already complete an essay.
As a father, he was proud of her but he felt worried as well. He choked a little before saying, "Olivia, I have received your letter.
"I came all the way here from the frontline in Indiana so that I can personally read my reply to you."