Little Angel

Chapter 13

A few months later...

Lucas entered the school office, his steps measured and precise, radiating a quiet authority that made even the receptionist hesitate before offering a nervous smile. He adjusted his suit jacket, eyes scanning the room. The school smelled like floor polish and crayons, a stark contrast to the tension tightening his shoulders.

He had barely sat down when the principal, an older woman with steel-gray hair and sharp eyes, walked in, followed by the twins' teacher. The twins—Xavier and Xander—were already seated in the conference room, attempting to look innocent. Ella, meanwhile, sat cross-legged on her chair, kicking her feet as if this were a casual chat instead of a disciplinary meeting.

"Mr. Harper," the principal started, folding her hands on the table, "thank you for coming."

Lucas nodded curtly. "I assume this isn't for a good reason."

The principal let out a deep breath. "Your brothers have been causing quite the disruption."

Xander immediately sat up. "Technically, we were defending each other."

Xavier nodded. "Yeah! Someone called Xander a 'cheating goblin' in chess club, so I had to throw a milk carton at them."

Lucas's expression didn't change. "You threw milk at a student?"

Xavier hesitated. "Well, not at them, exactly. More like... near them. The floor might've been collateral damage."

"The floor?" Lucas's voice was deceptively calm. "How did the floor become involved?"

Xander jumped in. "There was a banana peel, the milk made it slippery, and well—" He waved his hands. "Let's just say Coach Martinez can't wear his favorite pants anymore."

Lucas exhaled slowly through his nose.

Ella, who had been humming under her breath, suddenly piped up, "I don't see the problem. Lucas says accidents happen."

As if things couldn't get worse, a hushed whisper reached Lucas's ears from the hallway:

"That's Lucas Harper. I heard he's in the mob."

Another voice murmured, "I heard he owns half of New York. Why is he at a PTA meeting?"

Lucas clenched his jaw, exhaling sharply. He stood up, buttoning his jacket. "We'll discuss their punishments at home."

The principal nodded in relief. "Thank you, Mr. Harper."

Lucas turned toward the twins and Ella. "Let's go. Now."

Ella tilted her head. "Can we get McDonald's first?"

"Absolutely no- Fine."

The moment they got home, Lucas confiscated every electronic device the twins owned. "No phones, no tablets, no game consoles," he said as he locked everything away in his office. "Next time, there will be consequences beyond this."

The twins exchanged wide-eyed looks. Lucas had never outright threatened corporal punishment before until here lately this being the second time.

"Now go to your rooms," Lucas ordered. "And don't even think about sneaking out."

That left the twins sulking on their beds, plotting their next move.

At dinner, they sat up straight, used their manners, and even volunteered to clear the table. Lucas narrowed his eyes suspiciously.

"What are you two up to?"