Hurt Me Like You Mean It [BL]-Chapter 42: Our daughters provoked

Lance exhaled slowly, his eyes finally settling on Lacey. "I... understand what happened.." he said quietly, steady but controlled. "I’m here to make sure she’s safe and that nothing like this escalates again. She’s not a troublemaker... Lacey defended herself, and she doesn’t deserve to be bullied for her family situation."

Ms. Carmichael nodded, acknowledging his point. "Very well. I wanted to hear that from her guardian. It’s important that she feels supported." 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

Lacey’s eyes softened slightly at Lance’s words, a flicker of warmth breaking through her sharp glare. She still had some heat left for the bullies, but knowing her brother had her back, even in this tense room, helped steady her.

Ashley let out a quiet sigh of relief beside her, glad that Lance had arrived in time to diffuse at least some of the tension.

Ms. Carmichael glanced at the mothers of Madison and Tiffany once more, then back at Lance.

"I will handle the discussion with the other parents after we conclude here. Mr. Dixon, I appreciate your cooperation."

Lance inclined his head, eyes flicking back to Lacey one last time before he let the woman continue with the proceedings.

Lacey exhaled softly, finally allowing herself a small, private smile at her brother.

She didn’t mind losing her dad, be was a scumbag anyways.

But her brother was her hero. He was always on her side.

Ms. Carmichael folded her hands neatly on the desk, her expression composed but firm as she turned fully to Lance.

"To be clear, Mr. Dixon," she said, "this incident began with verbal provocation. Madison and Tiffany made repeated remarks regarding your parents’ divorce, remarks that were intentional and meant to humiliate."

Madison’s mother scoffed quietly, but Ms. Carmichael cut her a sharp look before continuing.

"However.." she added, her gaze shifting back to Lance, "Lacey did respond physically. While I understand the emotional context, that response violates school policy."

Lance nodded once, slow and controlled. "I understand."

His eyes moved to Lacey again. "But I’d like to hear it from her."

Ms. Carmichael hesitated for half a second, then inclined her head. "Go ahead."

Lacey straightened in her chair immediately, chin lifting. If she was nervous, it didn’t show. Anger still burned in her eyes, but it was focused now contained.

"They were talking about Mom.." she said bluntly. "Laughing about the divorce. About court stuff they shouldn’t even know. Tiffany kept saying her mom ’saw it all’ and that my family was a mess."

Tiffany’s mother stiffened. "I never—"

Lance’s gaze snapped to her, sharp enough to silence her instantly.

"Finish.." he said gently to Lacey.

"They didn’t stop when I told them to, they never do..." Lacey continued. "They followed me. They wanted a reaction. So yeah—I reacted."

She shrugged, unapologetic. "I don’t regret standing up for myself. I regret that it turned physical."

That, at least, was true.

Ashley watched her closely, heart tight in her chest. Lacey wasn’t backing down but she wasn’t spiraling either. She was owning it, in her own stubborn way.

Ms. Carmichael sighed softly. "And that acknowledgment is important, Lacey."

She turned to Lance again. "As I explained earlier, Madison and Tiffany will receive harsher disciplinary measures due to the nature of their remarks. Lacey will serve two days of detention and submit a reflection."

Lance nodded again. "That’s acceptable."

Lacey shot him a look. "Hey—"

He glanced at her, one eyebrow lifting, giving her that "Don’t start with me" look.

She huffed and leaned back, arms crossing again.

Ms. Carmichael stood. "I will now be speaking with the other parents privately. Mr. Dixon, you’re free to take Lacey home once we conclude."

Madison’s mother bristled. "You’re just letting her leave?"

"Yes..." Ms. Carmichael replied coolly.

"Because her guardian is present and cooperative."

That stung and Lacey didn’t bother hiding her smirk.

As Ms. Carmichael ushered them toward the door, Lance finally turned fully to his sister.

"Are you hurt?" he asked quietly.

Lacey shook her head. "No."

"Good." His voice softened slightly. "We’ll talk later."

She grimaced. "I knew you’d say that."

Ashley stood slowly, offering Lance a polite nod. "Thank you for coming so fast."

Lance looked at her then, really looked, registering her presence, her hand still hovering protectively near Lacey’s arm.

"Thank you for staying with her," he replied.

Ashley’s ears warmed. "Of course."

The door closed behind the other parents, muffling raised voices almost immediately.

Lacey let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding.

"Can we go now?" she muttered.

-_-

"No we have to wait until you’re allowed to leave and then we’re going to have a very long talk .."

-_-

Lacey sighed, she really disliked the part after this and wished she could skip it.

But reality wasn’t a movie, she couldn’t just skip the part she didn’t like.

Inside the office, the air had turned sour.

Madison’s mother crossed her arms, her lips pressed into a thin, offended line.

"I don’t appreciate the way that girl spoke to us," she said coolly. "That level of disrespect is unacceptable."

Tiffany’s mother nodded sharply beside her. "Exactly. Our daughters were provoked. This punishment is excessive, and frankly, unnecessary."

Ms. Carmichael didn’t bother sitting back down. She remained standing, hands resting on the edge of her desk, posture straight and unyielding.

"Provoked?" she repeated flatly. "Your daughters deliberately mocked another student over her parents’ divorce. That is not provocation. That is cruelty."

Madison’s mother scoffed. "They were talking. Words. Lacey escalated it by getting physical."

"And your daughters escalated it by inserting themselves into business that had nothing to do with them," Ms. Carmichael replied without missing a beat. "If they had learned to keep their mouths out of other people’s lives, we would not be having this conversation."

The room went still.

Tiffany’s mother’s face flushed. "Excuse me?"

"I was very clear," Ms. Carmichael said calmly. "You do not get to excuse malicious behavior just because your children are uncomfortable facing consequences."

Madison’s mother’s voice sharpened. "My husband is a very powerful man. We will not tolerate our daughter being treated like this."