(Chapter 12) Contentment

Since the school was based on results, Astrid took the liberty to just do her work without shining in the classes.

Even without standing out within classes, her classmates had all heard from the gossip of how she had performed in her other classes. So they didn't dare make fun of her intelligence anymore.

With a rather relaxing end to the school day, Astrid was walking alongside Winoa and Francesca to the front gate. Winoa and Francesca were talking about the work. While Astrid was just looking at the garden while walking.

"Ah, there is our car." Winoa spotted Mr. Tuhs waiting in the spot he said he would.

"Mm, my driver is here as well. I'll see you tomorrow." Francesca smiled and ran over to her car.

Winoa nodded and walked over with Astrid over to the car. Opening the door as they went into the back seats.

"Ah, is that a friend?" Mr. Tuhs immediately asked, he had spotted Francesca talking with Winoa.

"Yes, she is quite a good person. She isn't like the others." Winoa gave her honest opinion on Francesca.

Mr. Tuhs nodded, then moving her gaze over to Astrid. "She is talkative." Her words made Winoa chuckled.

Mr. Tuhs just smiled in response, since his daughter had no bad words for her. Then it would be fine for now.

He had the guards watch over them and they mentioned Francesca, he had also investigated her character and she really was a good person. Her father was also a great character...

"Mm, it's good that you have made a friend already. So how was school?" Mr. Tuhs asked, although he had heard endless amounts of praise from his good friend, he didn't quite believe such flattering words.

Winoa's eyes lit up in response. As she went on to say how Astrid finished her English test in less than 10 minutes, and the teacher gave her extra work. Then what she had heard from Francesca in the other classes...

The drive back was full of Winoa praising Astrid and Mr. Tuhs nodding in both relief and pride.

'Ha! Look! My daughter is so smart! She only needed to get better and look at her now! Even those old bogeys are praising her all day!' He could imagine it now, among the teaching circle of the city, Astrid's name going around for being a genius.

.......

"How was school Miss?" In Francesca's car, the driver asked as he calmly set off.

"Oh! It was great Sam! Winoa brought her good friend to school today and guess what! She was actually the student that couldn't go to school because she was ill! But it turns out she was bullied a lot so she was forced out... Anyway! She is actually super, super smart! She managed to complete some maths work that the teacher said was used in engineering a rocket!" Francesca was extremely comfortable talking to her driver, as her face went through her emotions during the day.

The driver listened carefully, he was Francesca's driver and also responsible for making sure her school day was good. Listening to her endless praise of Astrid... He decided to tell his Master to quietly investigate.

"Oh, oh, oh. We must have Astrid and Winoa round one day. Winoa only came round on days which Astrid wasn't incredibly ill. Now she is fine, we need to play!" Francesca was too excited, as she could imagine the fun they would have now.

But the driver learned some new information. 'Hm, maybe Winoa is actually related to this Astrid in some way. But the Miss doesn't seem to know...' He put it aside for now. He would leave something like that for his Master to judge.

.......

At the Tuhs mansion, Astrid was held hostage by her mother, asking about every minute of her school day. As Astrid answered in only single words. Mrs. Tuhs turned her attention over to Winoa.

Mrs. Tuhs was in a great mood hearing her daughter's feats. A large dinner was set up and they were talking about how Astrid's English was so good.

But when talking, Mrs. Tuhs and Mr. Tuhs both realized something, how did their daughter become so intelligent? They knew how ill she was. They also knew how poor she performed in school before...

They threw away their thoughts at the sight of Astrid slowly eating soup. None of that mattered, since their daughter was alive and well. It would only be certain for her to rise like a phoenix!

When Astrid felt her stomach exploding at the amount she ate, she decided to go out for a walk in the garden. Leaving her father and mother to talk to each other.

"Shouldn't we give her a phone? I'm sure it will be fine." Mrs. Tuhs asked as she allowed the maid to clean up the dishes.

Mr. Tuhs inwardly debated with himself for a while. He knew his daughter would be responsible, he was more worried about the safety of his daughter online.

Seeing his wife's expression. He immediately subsided. "I'm sure it'll be fine. A girl her age should learn more of the outside world." He said with a smile. As he rubbed his wife's back in comfort.

They never really exposed their daughter to the outside world apart from school due to her illnesses. But now she was overcoming them, they felt more comfortable to do so.

Mrs. Tuhs relaxed in her husband's embrace, she was content with her life. She had been worrying over her daughter for so long. Now she could watch her grow with pride...

But her husband had better ideas. He gave her a light peck. As they went to their bedroom for some... Rest.

.......

"The school won't regret having my boss as a shareholder. He has prepared some immediate changes to induce more parents to send their children to the school." Stephan spoke as he put down some paper onto a round table.

He had worked hard, within 4 hours he had bought up to 17% shares in the school. He couldn't go further because of the other shareholders being more powerful. Still, his boss would be pleased with some assurance for his daughter.

The shareholders all had a look at the paper and were pleased with what they saw.

"It truly suits him. But may I ask a question Mr. Stephan?" An older gentleman asked at the helm of the table.

This old man looked weak and ill. But don't let that deceive you, he was unquestionably the most powerful businessman in the country. His family, the Guilliano's were supporters of the family behind the creation of Italy in this world. Hence, they had long held control over the countries best businesses.

Mr. Stephan gave a smile, and looked at all of the shareholders. "Truthfully? My boss's child is currently studying at the school. He wished for not only insurance, but also will provide more support for children in the future. Maybe I guess you can say he is expanding his influence." Stephan directly told them.

To all of their surprises, they got that reason... The old man at the helm of the table seemed pleased, as his eyebrows raised in support. "I see, Mr. Tuhs is such a hidden figure in business. I guess we learned something today, he has a child studying at our school." He spoke with an elderly tone, being someone who lived for so long, he was happy hearing that reason.

Some others might not fully agree. As they held shares purely for profit, but they had no choice but to follow the elderly man's words. While also secretly decided to investigate all of the newly induced students in the school.

Since Mr. Tuhs decided to get shares in the school at the new year, then the student should be in the first year. It is was a simple deduction that would make sense normally...

But Stephan completely played them with his words, not revealing the gender of Astrid, name, or anything. But all they would need to do was investigate children without known backgrounds to find out.

But that wasn't why he was here. Now with sufficient shares in the school. It would be difficult for anyone to target Astrid. So his job was now done.

"I'll be taking my leave, my boss will join the next meeting." Stephan said nothing extra but bowed slightly. Turning and leaving the darkroom.

Elder Guilliano at the helm of the table listened as many of the others discussed Mr. Tuhs intention, his child, how to investigate, bla, bla, bla.

He just shook his head. 'These men all have ill intentions, leaving a school in the hands of people like this would be suicide. I hope Mr. Tuhs has the ability to show the school in a good direction.' After thinking that, he slowly stood up. "Meeting adjourned." He spoke with a wave, as he slowly walked to the door, assisted by the guard at the door.