UntitledCHAPTER 13 THE MAN WHO WALKED AWAY Episode
600 Words
Farther ahead, inside the administrative office.
Professor Adrian Vale stood near the window reviewing the incident report silently.
His expression remained calm as always.
Controlled and unreadable ,yet the moment the receptionist earlier mentioned the name John Parker! something inside him had shifted.
After all these years…
John Parker!
The name alone dragged old memories uncomfortably close again.
Then suddenly,his office phone rang.
Adrian glanced toward the screen briefly before answering.
“Vale speaking.”
Edward Winslow’s voice came immediately from the other end.
“Professor Vale.”
Adrian’s eyes narrowed slightly.
“Mr. Winslow.”
Edward sounded composed, though irritation lingered beneath his tone.
“I just received the full report regarding Cassandra.” Edward said.
Adrian remained silent.
Edward exhaled quietly.
“She has already been disciplined at home.”
“That doesn’t erase what happened.” Adrian replied calmly.
“I’m aware.” Edward answered. “Which is why I’m asking the academy to handle this discreetly.”
“Of course” Adrian replied.
Elite families always preferred silence over scandal.
Edward continued smoothly:
“The Parkers will be compensated appropriately. Medical expenses, emotional damages, whatever is necessary.”
Adrian’s expression barely changed.
“And Cassandra?” he asked.
A pause followed.
Then:
“She’ll be punished properly.” Edward replied firmly. “I give you my word she will never repeat something this reckless again.”
Adrian leaned slightly against the desk.
The school already depended heavily on donations and influence from families like the Winslows.
Public scandal would become messy quickly.
Still,none of that explained why the name John Parker continued disturbing his thoughts.
Edward spoke again:
“Please keep this contained, Professor Vale.”
Contained….
That was how powerful people described problems caused by their children.
Adrian finally answered:
“I understand.”
The call ended shortly afterward.
Silence returned instantly.
Then the office phone rang again almost immediately.
The receptionist.
“Professor Vale, Mr. Parker just arrived”
Adrian’s eyes lifted sharply.
For several seconds, he said absolutely nothing.
Then calmly:
“Do not let him in.”
The receptionist sounded startled.
“Sir?”
“Tell him I stepped out unexpectedly.” Adrian replied evenly.
“But he’s already approaching the corridor.”
A brief silence followed.
Then Adrian moved immediately.
Not panicked,just decisive.
He grabbed the report file before walking toward the secondary office exit near the back hallway.
The same moment,outside the corridor,the receptionist hurried after John nervously.
“Mr. Parker…..wait !” but John had already reached the office door.
His hand pushed it open instantly.
The room stood empty.
Silence….
John frowned immediately while scanning the office.
Still warm coffee near the desk. Open documents, recently abandoned.
Someone had clearly been there moments ago.
Behind him, the receptionist stopped awkwardly near the doorway.
“Professor Vale had to leave unexpectedly.”
John slowly turned toward her.
His expression darkened instantly.
“Where’s Vale?”
The question landed heavily inside the quiet office.
The receptionist hesitated.
“I… I’m not entirely sure, sir.”
John stared at her for several long seconds.
Then finally,understanding settled coldly inside his chest.
Adrian Vale knew he was here,and he avoided him anyway.
Something old and bitter tightened painfully beneath John’s ribs.
After all these years…
Adrian still walked away instead of facing him.
Meanwhile,farther down the rear corridor of the administrative building….
Adrian Vale paused briefly before continuing toward the private exit alone.
His expres
sion remained calm, but his grip around the report file had tightened noticeably,because for the first time in years, the past had come looking for him again.
- Writer
