“I saw everything,” the counselor said. “And more importantly, Mr. Sterling and I just had a conversation with Piper in the elementary administrative office.”
“And?”
“The bracelet has been secured in the school safe,” Mrs. Harrison revealed. “When Mr. Sterling asked Piper why she was wearing jewelry with an engraved ‘W’ that clearly belonged to her eighth-grade stepsister, Piper openly stated that her mother told her to wear it today to prove that ‘Willa doesn’t own everything.'”
A cold chill ran down my spine. “Celeste told her that?”
“Word for word,” Mrs. Harrison said, sounding both disgusted and weary. “We called Graham to inform him that the item was confiscated under our personal property policy regarding disputed heirlooms on campus. Graham became extremely hostile over the phone, claiming the school was ‘taking sides in a domestic custody dispute.'”
“What did Mr. Sterling tell him?”
“Mr. Sterling informed him that the bracelet would only be released to the parent who could provide proof of ownership and a purchase receipt.” Mrs. Harrison paused, a hint of professional satisfaction in her tone. “Which, according to the documentation you emailed me this morning, belongs entirely to Grandma Diane and Willa.”
“I’m coming to pick it up,” I said immediately.
