Chapter 212 - Sunflower (3)
Walking out of the building, Angela had many things running in her mind. Ever since she got Ms. Pam's support regarding her school project for the orphanage, she'd been so excited to tell the kids and the staff about it officially. The money wasn't even in her hands yet, but it was pretty much a done deal after going over the agreement with Ms. Pam Cox this morning. Even if it wouldn't push through for some reason, with her book projects out of the way, she'd have more time to organize a fundraising event for the school project.
She couldn't really call overhearing Herman's conversation a blessing in disguise that she found out about what he was actually doing behind the scenes because the truth wasn't a pretty one. It was heartbreaking. No matter how she looked at it as she tried to understand that what he was doing 'made sense', it was still wrong in her heart.
So when he asked to talk, oh, he could bet she wanted to talk to him, alright. Angela was nice, but she wasn't a pushover. If she believed that she had what it takes to handle something, she'd very much be willing to do whatever was needed to be done.
She walked ahead of Herman and headed towards the building's back area where the empty sunflower beds usually were and chose a spot under a tall tree. There wasn't much shade, but it wasn't hot, though it was far enough for prying ears.
"Ms. Su, is something the matter? I thought you were going to announce the school project today," Herman started.
Angela took a deep breath as she faced him, her eyes stern and her hands clenched at her sides. She was only trying to stop herself from slapping him across the face. On the outside, Herman looked like a nice, approachable man—like a kind uncle who always gave you presents during Christmas. Who would have thought he had such a callous soul?
"I don't know, Mr. Mitchell. You tell me," she seethed. "After having known about this orphanage and learning how pitiful these children are, I never once questioned where they came from. I only assumed they just ended up in the home because of a tragic situation in which they ended up having no parents."
"I don't quite understand what you mean, Ms. Su…"
Angela arched a brow, thoroughly pissed that she had to reiterate what she heard just a while ago. "You don't? Well, how about, the 'Northside folks have been paid, we'll get the children in a few days…' Does that ring a bell? If not, maybe 'picking them up at midnight or that's young enough, you'll give someone his cut once they get here' might jog your memory."
Herman's shoulders relaxed as understanding settled within him, realizing that she had heard the conversation earlier. He looked down on the ground and shifted his weight several times before he began pacing back and forth. "Ms. Su, I can explain."
"Explain what? I don't think what I've heard could be explained in a manner that would make it less...wrong. Unless you were practicing a fictional theatre play and were rehearsing your lines with someone, I don't think there's any way to make this better."
"Ms. Su, you don't understand. We're not doing anything wrong. The kids are here with the parents' permission."
Her brows furrowed deeper, and she crossed her arms under her chest. Parents' permission? She didn't know which one was worse, that Herman basically bought the kids or that the parents sold their kids. It made her feel even sicker that she was so enraged. "Oh, I understand, alright! You're using these kids because this orphanage is a 'lucrative business'," she bit out, sarcasm dripping in the air.
Herman stopped from his pacing and glanced at the side before looking at Angela again, lowering his voice as he got closer, but she stepped back, not allowing him to step in her circle. Then he insisted, "I can't deny… It really pulls in money. But like I said, I don't see what's wrong. The kids being here...we're even doing them a favor."
"A favor?" Angela let out a mocking chuckle."Do you hear yourself?"
He raised his palms up as if trying to prove a point. "They are better off being here. Here, they can eat three times a day plus snacks; they have clothes, proper shelter, even the chance to go to school—your school—and be with a better family who can provide for them what their biological parents couldn't. We take better care of them here. And now that your school project is going to take place, they will have a chance at proper education while they're in our care. It's a win for you too, don't you agree?"
She took a deep breath and subconsciously glanced at the side, only noticing that Gael was standing a few feet away. However, with her current state, all that's in her head was to deal with this Herman and give him a piece of her mind. Closing her eyes for a brief second, her voice rose an octave higher when she snapped, "Now you're using my school as a sales pitch, and you even plan on telling the parents when you take their child away from them? You're exploiting these families, these kids for your own personal gain! How selfish can you be? You're doing this for money? Money?"
"Exploiting? Ms. Su, they're experiencing a better life because they're here!"
"How is not being with their real parents a better life, hm? Tell me! Because no matter how I see it, these children need to be with their birth parents. A lot of them are too young and should be with their mothers! Emotional separation is traumatizing! These children need love from their parents, and you took that away from them. But of course, you won't understand that. You're born and bred as a businessman with money-grabbing parents."
"That's uncalled for, Ms. Su." Herman's brows knitted. He was starting to get pissed too.
Uncalled for? This Herman underestimated Angela. Did he think she had no idea what his parents had been doing? She didn't want to believe that he was greedy, just like his parents. She tried to give him the benefit of the doubt. However, this was a perfect example that the apple really doesn't fall far from the tree.