บท 40: On the Lookout

The parents exchanged uneasy glances. One of the mothers stepped forward, her face lined with regret. "We had no idea, Alyssa," she said softly. "We never realized they weren't doing the work. If we had known, we would have put a stop to it."

Another parent, a father with a gruff voice, nodded in agreement. "They've disappointed us too. As soon as we found out, we interrogated them for the truth. Rest assured, they'll be making this right."

The parents gestured to the baskets of gifts they had brought, filled with fresh produce, baked goods, and local delicacies. It was a humble attempt to make amends, but the sincerity of their gesture was clear.

"We want to apologize on their behalf," another father said. "This is a small town, and we all look out for each other. What they did was wrong, and they know it."