Classmate's Triumph and CEO's Regret

The parent-teacher conference had just wrapped up.

I wove through the crowd to find the head teacher. "Ms. Kerr, can we talk about my daughter, Sophie Sloan?"

Stuffing papers, Heather Kerr barely looked up.

"Oh, what's the issue?"

"She's been coming home in tears. Emery and his posse keep dumping water in her backpack, scribbling on her face with markers."

She waved dismissively. "It's just kids' horseplay. No need to make a fuss."

I couldn't believe my ears. I pressed, "Her backpack gets drenched. Her pencils and notebooks go missing. You call that horseplay?"

"Parents these days are so high-strung," she sighed. "Emery is a spirited kid. It's a privilege that he even notices Sophie. His mother runs Mills Group. Be thankful he gives Sophie the time of day."

"Thankful?" I countered, my fists balling up. "She is being bullied, and you call it a privilege?"

Heather's eyes narrowed, her patience thinning. "You're overreacting. Emery's mother donated generously to this school, and he is just lively, meaning no harm."

"No harm?" My voice shook with barely contained rage. "Sophie comes home sobbing, her clothes torn. That's your idea of being lively?"

"Kids today are too fragile," she said, shrugging. "Emery is a star student with decent parents. Sophie is lucky to be in his orbit. Teach her to toughen up and fit in, instead of being so sensitive."

Her words hit like a slap. I'd stepped back from my career to focus on my family, anonymously donating millions to this school. And this was the respect I got.