“Jason, I’ve brought your file.”
Chapter 76
A deep male voice cut through the hallway.
Everyone turned around, startled.
Director White had arrived, flanked by several people. The sudden appearance sent a jolt of panic through Principal Lewis. This time, Director White wasn’t alone; he’d brought quite the entourage to Charteris Academy.
Seeing the size of the group, Principal Lewis hurried forward to greet them, trying to keep his composure.
“Director White! What brings you here today?”
He reached out for a handshake, but instead, Director White pressed a thick manila envelope into his palm.
His own name was written on the front in bold black letters.
“Director White, what’s this about?” he stammered.
Director White’s voice was icy. “Take your file–and get out of Charteris Academy.”
Principal Lewis’s hand trembled. The file slipped from his grasp and scattered across the floor.
His knees buckled. He looked as if he might collapse at any moment.
“Director White, please…what did I do wrong?”
Desperate, he glanced at Selene. “If this is about Daphne’s withdrawal, it’s all been a misunderstanding! I’ve already swallowed my pride and formally invited her to
re–enroll!”
Director White gave him a hard look and jerked his chin toward the envelope. “Open your file. See for yourself.”
With shaking fingers, Principal Lewis untied the string and pulled papers. As he read, his narrowed eyes widened in shock.
a stack of
The top page was a printed transcript of his phone conversation with Gemma from
the night before–every word he’d spoken, laid out in black and white.
A thin check fluttered to the ground.
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Principal Lewis caught sight of it, and his legs gave out completely. He collapsed to his knees with a hollow thud.
Outside the school gates, a crowd of reporters had gathered. Serising something big, they zeroed in on the action. One pointed a camera at the scattered documents on the floor.
“Is Principal Lewis under surveillance? Has he been involved in misconduct?”
Director White addressed the stunned crowd. “Jason, take a good look at those receipts you signed over the years. Do you deny pocketing kickbacks? You colluded with Mrs. Vaughn to sideline other board members and expelled students at her whim. I’m not just here to fire you–I’m here to make sure the disciplinary committee doesn’t let a single rotten apple slip through the cracks.”
Principal Lewis slumped, unable to stand. In a last–ditch effort, he looked desperately at Selene. “It was Ms. Yates who told me to expel Daphne! She’s done so much for me–I was only following her orders…”
Selene’s tone was cold and precise. “Apologize to my daughter.”
Still kneeling, Principal Lewis bowed his head to the floor, banging his forehead in contrition toward both Daphne and Selene.
“I’m sorry! I know I was wrong! I shouldn’t have listened to Ms. Yates-”
Selene’s expression remained unmoved. She could see right through Principal Lewis’s sudden change of heart. This was nothing but a performance for the cameras. Did he think feigning remorse would save him now? Dragging Gemma’s name into it was just his desperate attempt to drag someone else down with him.
A dog–eat–dog show was about to unfold, and Selene had no pity left.
She turned to Daphne and said quietly, “When someone apologizes to you, you have every right not to forgive them–especially if their regret isn’t real. An apology is the least he owes you. Forgiveness? That depends on the price he’s willing to pay for his mistakes.”
Director White had seen enough of Principal Lewis’s pathetic theatrics for the news crews, as if dramatic tears might spare him from consequence
“Save your confessions for the disciplinary board,” Director White said sharply.
Two uniformed officers stepped forward, each taking hold of Principal Lewis by the arm and hauling him to his feet.
Some reporters weren’t about to let him slip away quietly. Cameras flashed as they
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shouted questions:
“Principal Lewis! How much in kickbacks did you take?”
“Principal Lewis, what kind of deals did you have with Gemma Vaughn behind closed doors?”
The chaos swirled around her, but Selene stood perfectly still, her gaze meeting
Director White’s across the crowd.
The last time Director White had visited the school, they’d barely had a chance to speak. Now, everything had changed.
