Edna and the other two were led away by the female deputy instructor.
Suddenly, the table that was originally filled with eight people was now left with just five.
Eileen picked up a new spoon and continued eating.
Colin looked at her still eating and carefully said, "Eileen?"
Eileen didn't respond, she finished all the food on her plate, put down her spoon, and stood up to leave.
Colin watched her retreating figure and said to Eddie, "It's really unfair for Eileen. It was Edna and the others who started the trouble, but she is the one who gets punished."
Eddie said, "Mr. Reed wouldn't punish her, would he?"
"Even if Mr. Reed wants to protect her, the other instructors saw what happened, right? She can't escape punishment. You saw how she left just now, she looked so..."
Colin didn't finish his sentence.
He widened his eyes, suddenly seeing Eileen coming back...
Eileen put a plate full of food on the table.
After sitting down, she saw Colin staring at her and asked with a puzzled look, "What's up?"
Colin looked at Eileen and then at the plate in front of her, piled high with food.
He stuttered for a moment before asking, "You, you went to get more food?"
Eileen said, "Yes, what's the big deal?"
Colin choked.
Eddie was a bit anxious, asking, "How can you still eat?"
Eileen took a bite of food, replying, "Why can't I eat? Those three left and the air feels fresher. I can eat several more bowls!"
And she really did.
In the next twenty minutes, the four boys watched her get more food, and then get more again.
Until the cafeteria was almost empty.
She was full, wiped her mouth, stood up, stretched her wrist, and began to move around.
Eddie watched her and asked, "What are you up to?"
Eileen cracked her fingers and squinted, "I'm going to the office to accept punishment."
Eddie though, "You look more like you're going to stir up trouble in the office! "
Eileen had to ask someone how to get to Egbert's office.
When she arrived, she saw the office door was open with many people inside. Aside from Egbert, there were two deputy instructors and Edna's group as well.
Jaqueline had already started crying.
Although Edna and Patti hadn't cried, they also had bitter expressions on their faces, posing as victims, standing together with Jaqueline.
After Eileen arrived, the cameraman in the corner immediately aimed the lens at the four of them.
In fact, everyone was clear about what had happened. However, in the army, conflicts and even physical conflicts between comrades are not allowed. Therefore, from both emotional and rational perspectives, the instructors had to give severe criticism and punishment.
The office was quiet.
Egbert was looking at a document. After a while, he put down the document and said, "Who wants to go first?"
None of the three spoke.
Eileen said, "I'll go first."
Egbert looked at her, "Alright."
Eileen started to apologize, saying, "This is indeed my fault."
The two deputy instructors were relieved to see her willing to apologize.
She continued, comrades should be friendly, and as long as they are willing to apologize, they can reconcile.
The two deputy instructors nodded, ready to say a few harmonious words.
Eileen continued, "My biggest mistake was to argue with them despite knowing we have different views. Humans are superior beings, and they seem like beasts to me. As a superior being, I shouldn't lower myself to quibble with them. So, in this matter, I was indeed wrong."
The two deputy instructors were both speechless.
Edna was so angry she almost exploded, she shouted, "Who are you insulting, Eileen, you..."
"Bang!" Suddenly there was a loud slap on the table.
Everyone looked over to see Egbert leaning back in his chair, his palm on the table, his face pale, and his eyes cold as he looked at Edna.
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Defying Fate: The Unstoppable Eileen