Flora’s Guide to a Second Chance at Love and Life

Flora and the gang heard the unmistakable thrum of a helicopter overhead.

"What on earth?" Jules looked baffled. A helicopter here? Seriously? He shot a glance at Connor and Flora, wondering if they were behind this.

Mr. Richard narrowed his eyes, a knowing look crossing his face. He had a pretty good idea about who might be arriving. Cynthia's parents had always been a bit of a mystery at school-so much so that their occupations were classified. But Mr. Garcia, being in the loop, knew the real deal. Blake and Lydia heard it too, their hearts skipping a beat.

"What's happening? Why is there a helicopter?"

"Your dad's here," Mr. Valerio said to Cynthia, a hint of urgency in his voice. "I'll go meet him."

"I'm coming too," Mr. Richard chimed in, and they both rushed out, leaving the live stream viewers scratching their heads. Blake and Lydia were on edge, as they had overheard Mr. Valerio.

Cynthia's dad? Here? But wasn't he a construction worker? What was he doing arriving in a helicopter, with even Mr. Richard stepping out to greet him?

"This doesn't add up, sis. Didn't you say Cynthia was just an ordinary girl, a construction worker's daughter?" Lydia's voice was shaky, beads of sweat forming on her forehead.

Blake wasn't doing much better. She realized she might have seriously underestimated Cynthia. If Mr. Valerio was her uncle, then her family couldn't be just any ordinary folks. But why would Cynthia keep her parents' identities under wraps? Unless-

A chilling thought struck Blake. Only people involved in national secrets would need to hide their identities! Could it be?

As Blake's mind spiraled, the sound of synchronized, heavy footsteps approached the door. It sounded more like soldiers marching than anything else.

Blake and Lydia turned toward the door in alarm. Even Flora, lounging in her chair, raised her eyes with mild curiosity.

A group of men in military uniforms

strode in, each carrying a rifle, their faces set in serious, no-nonsense expressions. Mr. Valerio and Mr. Richard were at the front, flanking a man in his forties-rugged, with a commanding presence that

screamed battle-hardened veteran.

Their entrance alone was enough to make anyone's heart race. Blake and Lydia felt the weight of the man's intimidating aura, almost suffocating in its intensity. "Daddy-" Cynthia's sweet voice broke the tension as she flitted over like a butterfly to the man, latching onto his arm with girlish affection. "Daddy, you're finally here!" The man gently ruffled Cynthia's hair. "Dad's here, sweetheart."

The sight of their easy camaraderie, coupled with the 'General' insignia on his sleeve, made Blake's face drain of color. Cynthia's dad was a General? No wonder her enrollment papers had been so secretive

QUMS

"Miss," the soldiers greeted Cynthia with deference.

"Who's been giving you trouble?" Colin, her father, asked, his gaze sweeping the room like a hawk.

"It was her!" Cynthia pointed straight

at Blake, feeling emboldened now that her father was here. She wasted no time recounting Blake's wrongdoings. "I spent days on those papers, and she trashed them! She even threatened to keep me from graduating!"

Colin's expression darkened, the air around him thick with menace. The soldiers behind him eyed Blake as if she was already a goner.

Anger simmered. Someone dared mess with their Miss? They barely held back from reaching for their weapons.

"Mr. Richard," Colin said with a cold chuckle, "it seems your University of Maple Grove has some questionable judgment, letting someone like this become an associate professor."