The graduation party pulsed with the vibrant energy of youth, a symphony of laughter, clinking glasses, and upbeat music. Students, adorned in their celebratory best, toasted to futures unknown, their faces glowing with a mixture of excitement and a touch of bittersweet nostalgia. Champagne corks popped like celebratory firecrackers, and the air hummed with shared memories and ambitious dreams.
Amidst the joyful chaos, Gabriela's phone buzzed. She glanced at the screen, her brow furrowing slightly before she caught Diana's eye and subtly gestured towards the exit. Diana, mid-cheer with a group of friends, excused herself, a flicker of concern crossing her face as she followed Gabriela out of the hall.
A few minutes later, the double doors swung open again, and Diana re-entered, her arm linked with a man who instantly drew every eye in the room. The contrast between his appearance and the opulent setting was stark. He looked thin, almost fragile, his clothes well-worn and dated, a stark counterpoint to the crisp suits and flowing dresses around him. A hush began to fall over the crowd, the music, though still playing, suddenly seemed distant, a muffled backdrop to the unfolding scene.
He took a hesitant step forward, his gaze sweeping over the sea of young, curious faces. Murmurs rippled through the room. "Whose parent is that?" someone whispered, the question carrying in the sudden quiet. "He looks… out of place." Another voice, laced with a hint of disdain, added, "He can't be a parent here, can he? Maybe he's the new janitor."
Then, with a shaky hand, the man reached for the microphone on the small stage, the one usually reserved for toasts and announcements. As he brought it to his lips, a soft, choked sob escaped him, amplified by the sound system. Diana stood beside him, her head bowed slightly, her lip caught between her teeth, her hand gently resting on his arm in a gesture of quiet comfort.
Across the room, Claudia, engrossed in a plate of celebratory snacks, looked up at the sudden silence. Her eyes widened, fixing on the frail man now weeping into the microphone. A sharp cough tore through her, and she clutched her throat, choking on her food. The loud, involuntary sound cut through the tension, drawing every gaze to her.
As Claudia struggled to compose herself, her striking resemblance to the man on stage became undeniable. The murmurs intensified, shifting in tone. "Oh my God, could that be Claudia's father?" a voice gasped, barely above a whisper. "I thought Claudia's father was dead." Another student chimed in, "Is this man related to Claudia's family? I thought her family was filthy rich." All eyes, now, were on the man, on Claudia, and on the unspoken story hanging heavy in the air.
The man on stage, Mr. Myers, took a shuddering breath, the microphone amplifying the raw, ragged sound. Tears streamed down his weathered face, catching the stage lights, making them glisten. Diana, her hand still on his arm, offered a handkerchief, which he gratefully accepted, pressing it to his eyes before speaking, his voice thick with emotion, cracking with each word.
"My apologies," he began, his voice raspy, "for interrupting your celebration. For… for this display." He gestured vaguely at his tear-stained face, then at his worn clothes. "I know I don't look like I belong here. Like I belong anywhere near… near this opulence." He paused, another sob catching in his throat, and he swallowed hard, trying to regain some composure.
His gaze, red-rimmed and brimming, finally found Claudia in the crowd. He pointed a trembling finger, his voice rising slightly in volume, laced with a profound ache. "That girl there. Claudia. She is my daughter."
A collective gasp rippled through the room, louder this time. The murmurs, which had momentarily quieted, erupted anew, a confused, disbelieving hum.
"And I… I am so incredibly hurt," he continued, his voice breaking, "that she is graduating today. A milestone. A truly remarkable achievement. And she didn't… she didn't even deem it fit to tell me about it. Not a word. Not a single call or message." He wiped at his eyes again, his shoulders shaking. "It's as if I ceased to exist the moment her mother… the moment Jennie decided I wasn't good enough anymore."
He took another deep, shaky breath, his eyes sweeping over the stunned faces of the students. "And secondly," he said, his voice gaining a fragile strength, though still laced with pain, "she ignores me. She pretends I'm invisible. All because… because I'm not rich like her 'new' father. Alejandro Flores." The name hung in the air, a venomous whisper. "The man who replaced me. The man who has all the wealth, all the prestige, all the things that matter to them now."
His gaze returned to Claudia, a profound sadness etched on his features. "The truth is, I _was_ very rich. Once. I had everything. Until I met her mother, Jennie. And she… she systematically milked me dry. Every penny. Every asset. Until there was nothing left. Until I was disposable." He let out a bitter, humorless laugh, which quickly dissolved into another sob. "She rejected me for Alejandro Flores. Both her and her… her miserable mother. They cast me aside like yesterday's trash."
He paused, his chest heaving. "But I didn't come here with grudges. Not entirely. I came here because… because despite everything, I am her father. And I want to stand here, as the father of Claudia, and be the one to wish her a remarkable future after college. A future she deserves, a future she has worked for." His voice cracked again, thick with unshed tears. "Claudia's father is not dead. I am Jennie's husband. Or, at least, I was. Before she decided I wasn't worth anything anymore."
The revelation hung in the air like a thundercloud. The students were flabbergasted, their faces a mixture of shock, confusion, and dawning realization. "Oh my God, is this real?" someone whispered, the question echoing the thoughts of many. "So Claudia was lying to us all this time?" Another voice, harsher, cut through the stunned silence. "Her father is _this_ poor? Claudia actually comes from dirt? This girl is a sick, pathological liar!"
Judgement, swift and brutal, began to spread through the room like wildfire. Claudia, who had been frozen in her seat, her face a mask of disbelief and horror, felt a surge of white-hot fury. Humiliation and shock washed over her in a sickening wave. The whispers, the pointed fingers, the sudden shift in perception – it was unbearable.
With a guttural cry, she sprang from her chair, a whirlwind of rage. She stormed towards the stage, her eyes blazing, past the stunned students, past Diana, and with a powerful, unthinking shove, she sent Mr. Myers sprawling to the ground. A collective gasp erupted, even louder than before. Phones, which had been recording the man's emotional speech, now captured the shocking, violent outburst, the raw, unfiltered moment of a daughter pushing her father to the floor.
"Who the fuck are you? What are you doing here? This is my graduation, I don't know who you are and I dont know what you want from me! Get lost!" Diana helped him up, staring scornfully at Claudia.
"He's your father, Claudia!" Diana exclaimed and following that was a loud slap across the face.
"Did you hire this garbage to pretend to be my father? Fuck. You're just so..so stupid. Do you all believe that this lowlife could be my father? Professor Jennie, my amiable mother is married to Mr. Alejandro Flores. One of the most powerful men in the country who can buy your entire life! You're just so worthless! What makes you think you can be a father to a girl like me? I'll let you off with your stench. Next time you try this shit, I'll get you arrested. Okay? Now get out before I call the cops!" Claudia pointed at the door and Mr Myers eyes glistened with tears.
"Are you really doing this to me, Claudia?"
"Yes! I'm asking you to fuck off!" Claudia roared.
"What is going on here?" Mr. Thompson walked in.
"Who's this man?"
"This man is - "
"This man is Claudia's father, sir. It's his daughter's big day. He deserves to be present." Gabriela interrupted.
"Claudia's father? But..." Mr. Thompson's eyes narrowed.
"This is an imposter! Claudia's dad is dead! What do you mean you're Claudia's dad?" He half yelled at Mr. Myers, looking straight up at once.
"I'm Claudia's dad. Even Jennie can't deny it."
"If you were paid to create a scene at Claudia's big day, then it'll be better for you to buzz off before I call the cops." Mr. Thompson threatened.
"Sir! This man here is really Claudia's father. Claudia has ignored him all these years and refused to speak to him. He wants his daughter. If Claudia is sticking with Mr. Alejandro, at least Mr. Myers has to be part of Claudia's graduation." Diana said.
"Why should he be a part of my graduation? Did he finance my education in any way? He couldn't provide for me! He couldn't do anything for me! Why should he attend this event? Mr. Myers, get out! Get out of this premises!"
By now, the students were convinced this was indeed Claudia's father.
Claudia was washed with embarrassment as all eyes were on her.
"Guys! Don't believe this man! He's lying! Diana is also lying! What have I ever done to you, Diana? Why did you bring this man here?!" Claudia snarled.
Gabriela and her friends were trying to control their laughter.
"Claudia, calm down, okay? We'll handle this. Mr. Myers, we'll have your ass out in five minutes! I'm calling security."
"Mr. Thompson, you should call Professor Jennie instead. She should be able to explain all of this." A student spoke.
"Yeah! She's right!"
Professor Jennie strode into the hall, her entrance coinciding with a sudden commotion. As her gaze inadvertently met Mr. Myers', she swiftly averted her attention and quickened her pace, her footsteps echoing with a sense of urgency. Mr. Thompson's voice cut through the air, calling out to her, "Professor Jennie!" She responded with a curt "Yes?" without breaking stride or turning to face him. A hint of trepidation crept into her tone as she acknowledged his summons. Mr. Thompson's words, "Your attention is needed," only served to heighten her anxiety, her heart racing with anticipation and a dash of fear. Her mind was a whirlwind of questions: what was Mr. Myers doing here, and who had invited him?
"Who is this man standing here? He says he's Claudia's father. Claudia's father's dead, right?" Mr. Thompson demanded an explanation.
"Em..eh...who are you? How dare you claim to be Claudia's father, you poor thing?! My husband is dead. And he wasn't a hobo like you!"
"Hobo? You made me a hobo, you hopeless bitch! How could you do this to me?" Mr. Myers was sober and about to start sobbing again.
"I don't know who you are!" Jennie denied loudly.
The students were enjoying the moment.
Veronica stepped forward.
"If you don't know the man right here, then tell us about this." She suddenly played an audio from her phone and increased the volume.
There was pin drop silence.
The audio recording of Veronica's phone played, capturing a heated argument between Jennie and Diogo Myers.
"According to the roster, it was my turn to take my friends out," Jennie snarled. "At least I couldn't start explaining to them that things have gone bad for you. And plus, I needed to change my wardrobe."
"Why did you take out three million USD from my account, Jennie?" Diogo asked, his voice firm.
"Permission?" Jennie shot back. "Since we both own the account as a couple, I'm entitled to take how much I want, whenever I want!"
"But I own the money," Diogo countered. "You don't just take it as you wish, Jennie."
Jennie's tone turned insulting. "You're relying on your dad's riches, bragging about it like it's yours. What's wrong with you?"
Diogo's anger flared. "What's wrong with you? Secondly, where's my baby?"
"I dropped her off with someone," Jennie said nonchalantly.
"You suddenly keep my baby away from me now?" Diogo accused.
Jennie's response was cold. "You're not the one catering for her, so you have no right to call her your baby."
Diogo's voice rose in complaint. "I'm bankrupt, lost a lot... and you took that money, squandered it on unnecessary bags and shoes!"
Jennie was defiant. "You shouldn't yell at me. It's my husband's money in our company's account, and I can do whatever I want with it. If it was so precious to you, you would've put it in your personal account..."
Diogo raised his hand to slap her, but retreated, his anger and hurt boiling over. "Falling in love with you was one of the greatest mistakes of my life," he spat, and the sound of a door slamming shut followed, leaving a heavy, awkward silence.
"What's this about, Professor Jennie?" Mr. Thompson was fuming.
"Why did you lie to us? Lying to us isn't even the priority right now, you just wanted to drive your father away with security! You pushed him to the floor! What kind of a daughter would do that to her own father? That's cruel! Now I know why Mr. White raised the issue of your expulsion. But I pleaded on your behalf that he let you graduate."
"And this actually proves that Professot Jennie here is a golddigger! She only married him for his money and left him penniless! She's evil!" Gabriela added.
Jennie and Claudia were standing like statues, unable to believe this was actually happening to them.
Kendall walked towards Claudia and splashed her wine on her face.
"Claudia, how dare you? I spent every second bowing down to you thinking you were some rich kid who could afford what I couldn't. You were always looking down on me because I wasn't rich. I honestly can't believe this man is your father."
Claudia was crying
profusely.
"Kendall. You shouldn't have done that. We should all enjoy the celebration. Today marks the end of this college...drama. Just be happy and ignore what has happened, okay?" Mr. Thompson told them all, putting on a smile.
"Mr. Diogo, Professor Jennie, let's give them some space. It's their day and we shouldn't ruin it. C'mon, let's go." Mr. Thompson led the way and they followed.
Diogo smirked at Jennie who was staring at her shoes, looking confused, angry and ashamed.
The hall doors creaked shut behind the head of college, and an eerie silence fell over the crowd. The students began to shuffle towards Claudia, their eyes fixed on her with a fierce intensity. The air was thick with tension as they closed in, their faces twisted in anger. Claudia stood frozen, her back against the cold wall as the sea of hostile faces surrounded her.
Gabriela and Miguel stood side by side, smirking. Claudia's eyes locked onto theirs, and suddenly, she erupted.
"Gabriela, how could you do this to me?!" Her voice was like a crack of thunder, loud and clear, slicing through the air. "Why did you bring that man here? How did you know he was my dad? Why are you hell bent on ruining my life? Is it a crime to be your stepsister?!"
The words tumbled out of her like a raging torrent, each one laced with venom and betrayal. The students surrounding her took a step closer, their faces inches from hers, as if feeding off her rage. Claudia's chest heaved with every breath, her eyes flashing with tears of anger and hurt. "You had no right! No right!!!" she screamed, her voice hoarse. The crowd leaned in, their collective gaze suffocating her.
"Yeah, haha. Blaming Gabriela for having a homeless father?"
"I mean 'once rich'."
"You should be ashamed of yourself."
"Your mom is a golddigger."
"How could your mom turn a billionaire into a complete nobody?"
"She's so cruel if you ask me."
"Shut up! Shut up all of you!!" Claudia commanded and there was silence for about five seconds, with glances, before they all burst into loud mockery laughter.
"You think you can lead us like you've always? Wow. You're so despicable. You and your mom don't deserve anything good in life! You both deserve to rot in jail!" Another student cursed.
"Wait...is it true that you killed Marissa back then in high school?"
"Tell us it's a lie, Claudia. Did you?"
"I didn't kill anyone! Gabriela is telling a lie!!" Claudia cried out.
Her eyes were red with tears and her lips were quivering already.
"Do you want to confess or...you want to see your own act right here?" Gabriela asked sassily.
"You don't have any evidence to prove your claims, Gabriela!"
"What if I say I do?"