Chapter 3 The Call

"Verified?" I let out a cold laugh. "And how exactly did you verify it? Just by taking his word for it?"

"Of course not!" Mr. Winters adjusted his glasses, looking smug. "Roger's mother, Madam Smith, personally spoke with our principal over the phone to confirm both the donation and his admission. Are you suggesting she herself would lie about that?"

The moment I heard my mother's name come out of his mouth, my heart sank.

When I spoke to her earlier, her reaction hadn't seemed fake, but now, Mr. Winters was so certain, saying she personally confirmed it.

Something wasn't adding up.

Could it be… my mom really lied to me?

I glanced at Tim's pale face. He was clutching the hem of my jacket tightly, his body trembling with anger.

I shook off the doubts swirling in my head. Now wasn't the time for speculation.

No matter what, I couldn't let him be humiliated like this.

I pulled out my phone and dialed the board of directors directly.

"I don't care who you think you are," I said, staring straight at Roger, my voice low and steady. "What you tore up today wasn't just an application form. It was your own qualification to stay in this school.

"I'm calling the board right now. Let's see which holds more weight—your so-called donation, or the school's integrity."

Both Roger and Mr. Winters blanched at once. They clearly hadn't expected someone who looked so ordinary to have the board's direct contact number.

Members of the school board were all powerful and wealthy—ordinary people couldn't even get close to them.

Beads of sweat formed on Mr. Winters' forehead. He wanted to grab my phone but didn't dare.

Roger, on the other hand, looked shocked and furious. He was used to throwing his weight around at school, hiding behind his status as the heir to the Smiths. No one had ever talked back to him like this.

"You wouldn't dare!" he shouted. "Who the hell do you think you are, threatening me? Just you wait!" He shot me a venomous glare, then yanked out his own phone, fingers flying across the screen.

The call connected, and he instantly broke into a dramatic wail.

"Dad! Someone's bullying me! In the school office! Hurry over! Two nobodies are trying to steal my exchange spot—come and back me up!"

When he hung up, his confidence returned, arrogance plastered all over his face. "Just wait! My dad's on his way. When he gets here, I'll make you both get on your knees and beg!"

Mr. Winters looked torn, glancing between Roger and us, wringing his hands as if he wanted to intervene but didn't dare.

I stood there coldly, watching it all unfold, the last bit of trust I had in my mother beginning to waver.

If Roger had nothing to do with our family, where did he get the nerve to act so high and mighty?

If there wasn't someone backing him… well, I'd eat my own words.

Tim tugged at my sleeve and whispered, "Matt, maybe… just let it go. I don't want to cause you any trouble."

I patted his hand firmly. "This isn't your fault—and it's not trouble. What's ours, no one gets to take away."

The moment I finished speaking, a man in a flashy suit burst through the door, storming in like a gust of wind.