Chapter 3

“Exactly! Mr. Corvin had it all figured out!”

Their footsteps faded down the hallway, but my heart could not stop pounding.

Was the working world really this cruel?

Before I could dwell on it, my phone rang in my pocket.

I stared blankly ahead and answered on autopilot. A familiar woman’s voice came through.

“Annie? It’s Kelly Brett, from college! How are things at Ridgeway High? I’m calling on behalf of Cresthaven Academy. We’d love to have you here. If you’re interested, we’ll offer you the best salary we can.

“How does $800,000 a year sound? I promise we’ll take good care of you. If there’s anything else you want, just say the word. We can talk it through.”

$800,000?

Hearing that astronomical figure, I could not help but chuckle.

In all ten years at Ridgeway High, I had not earned even half that much altogether.

I had given in again and again and poured everything I had into my work. In return, they had decided I was someone they could push around.

They had shown me no loyalty. Why should I show them any?

I took a deep breath, steadied myself, and put on my usual polite smile as I spoke into the phone.

“Yes, I’m very interested in Cresthaven Academy. I’d love to hear more.”

Right after I hung up, several messages appeared in the school’s faculty group chat.

[@everyone All teachers, please come to the conference room for a meeting, especially those teaching seniors!]

[@Ms. Cruz, Class One: Please bring your lesson plans for this year’s seniors and share what has worked for you. Let’s get more Ridgeway students into Harrowgate and Kingsbridge!]

I stared at my phone in silence.

I had sat through countless such meetings over the past ten years.

Every time, they flattered or pressured me into sharing my teaching methods and handing over lesson plans I had spent night after night preparing.

I had used to share everything without holding back.

However, after what they had done, why did they think I would let them keep using me?

I strolled into the conference room empty-handed.

As soon as I opened the door, I saw Jack Corvin, the vice principal, sitting at the head of the table.

The smile on his face vanished when he saw that I had brought nothing.

“Annie, don’t be so selfish.” His voice grew stern.

“I thought you were a reasonable teacher. I never thought you’d pick a fight with the school over a title. We’re educators. We shouldn’t be tearing each other apart over things like this.”

I scoffed and looked him in the eye.

“So, teachers don’t need to eat? A sense of purpose is supposed to pay the bills?”

He faltered for a moment, then recovered.

“Hasn’t the school done enough for you? You’re known across the city as an excellent teacher. You wouldn’t have that reputation without us.”

I sneered and said, “So putting me down as Class Seven’s teacher while expecting me to keep teaching Class One was for my own good? Keeping me as an Associate Teacher after ten years was for my own good too?”

Jack fell silent for a long moment.

Then he seemed to make up his mind and spoke again.

“All right. If forty percent of Class One gets into Harrowgate or Kingsbridge, I’ll put in a request for a $500 bonus just for you. Happy now?

“But you’ll need to help Ms. Rae too. We can’t have Class Seven’s scores looking too bad.”

I could not stop myself from scoffing.

$500?

Did he think he could buy me off with pocket change?

Jack’s expression darkened when he saw my face. He started threatening me.

“Annie, I’ve been more than generous with you. Remember your place. This school doesn’t owe you a thing. Anything we give you is a favor.

“Think about the students you’ve spent a year teaching. If you leave now, you’ll ruin their futures, and it’ll be your fault.

“Could you live with that? Besides, all you have is a good reputation. When it comes down to it, Ms. Rae is a better teacher than you.”