Chapter 82

“Mrs. Wilson, perhaps next time we could handle student discipline a bit more tactfully? Such public scenes don’t reflect well on the school’s reputation.” Will nervously ran his fingers through his thinning hair, swallowing his frustration.

If it were just an ordinary student, I’d simply issue disciplinary action and be done with it. But why does it have to involve the Wilson family? I remember the Wilson family’s girl is called Carmen, right? So where did this new one pop up from? Will thought.

Aubree looked familiar, but Will couldn’t quite place her.

Alice gave an apologetic smile. “My apologies for the trouble, Mr. Jennings.”

“So, is this your daughter, Mrs. Wilson?”

Alice glanced at the silent Aubree, her eyes flashing with a calculated gleam. “Mr. Jennings, I’m afraid I’m not acquainted with Aubree.”

Not acquainted? No wonder I never got along with the Wilson family, I could never master this level of shameless hypocrisy, Aubree pondered with bitter amusement. Just moments ago she was calling me “daughter” in front of everyone, and now we’re suddenly strangers? Even professional actors can’t switch masks this fast.

“My apologies for the trouble today, Mr. Jennings,” Alice said smoothly. “The Wilson family will be donating a new library to the school as compensation. As for this student, please feel free to handle her strictly according to school policy.”

Will was completely baffled by these contradictory statements. So now you’re saying there’s no relation at all? he wondered.

But with the school now planning to build a new library, all those other details hardly seemed to matter anymore.

After all, as the principal of Rithol High School, he knew exactly how to read between the lines, whether it was sweet talk or veiled threats.

Will saw Alice off with an obsequious smile. Then, turning to Aubree, his smile vanished instantly. “I’d already heard certain rumors about you before I even reached the school gate. Of course, we can’t verify these allegations, and without concrete evidence, we shouldn’t jump to conclusions.”

Aubree nodded. “Just say it straight, Mr. Jennings. I know how these things work.”

With Alice’s last words, even if Will hadn’t planned to make things difficult for her, he now had no choice but to do just that.

Aubree lowered her lashes, a flicker of bitterness flashing in her downcast eyes. If truth be told, I’m the real victim here. But with the mighty Wilson family’s influence, even my innocence would be twisted into guilt. I know exactly how the game is played, but it still burns me up!

Her fingers, clutching the seam of her pants, slowly curled in as Aubree managed a strained smile. “I’ve caused trouble for the school,” she said.

Seeing how well Aubree read the situation, Will gave her a perfunctory smile. “Well then, why don’t you take a few days off at home? You can come back when this unpleasantness blows over.”

Aubree yielded without protest. From Will’s standpoint, this punishment is fair and by the book. There’s no point in wasting energy on futile arguments; sometimes it’s better to just accept it and move on.

Stepping out of the office, Aubree managed a wry smile. With the club keeping me so busy these days, I might as well treat this forced leave as a few days off to focus on official business. Can’t go to school? I can always hit the books at night. Besides, I still need to find a new place to live.

Just thinking about it this way actually made her feel a bit better.

Aubree walked down the hallway with her backpack slung over one shoulder, scrolling through her phone. She hadn’t checked the online buzz since waking up that morning.

After Alice made a scene at the school gate, someone posted it online. The incident quickly started trending. Aubree didn’t even have to search for it. The news was already flooding her feed.

Scrolling through her phone, Aubree’s fingers froze mid-swipe when she spotted the person who had publicly accused her of cheating.

Am I seeing things? How could it be… Matilda?

“Aubree!” Matilda, who should’ve been in class, came rushing around the stairwell corner and seized Aubree’s arm. “I’m so sorry,” she choked out, her voice trembling. “This is all my fault…”