Chapter 2 When Arrogance Meets Authority

Then, she raised her voice again and put on a show of scolding me. "Ms. Tyne, you're a teacher, so you need to be mindful of your appearance! How do you expect students to respect you when you dress so poorly? Now, apologize to this student right this instant!"

I looked at the fake smile plastered across her face, my irritation rising to the surface. This was the same grade coordinator who always preached about "professional ethics." Yet, she was now bowing lower than a restaurant server.

I slowly pulled my arm back, ignoring her stunned gaze as I spoke word by word. "What's the first rule in the teacher's code of conduct? Equality between teachers and students. Mutual respect."

I understood Leona's intention to smooth things over between Arlo and me. After all, she was the grade coordinator. Her salary would take a hit if things escalated because of me. However, she also couldn't afford to offend Arlo's father.

So, I made my stance clear. "I did nothing wrong today. I will not apologize."

Students passing by noticed the tension escalating, and every one of them wore a look of barely concealed amusement.

"I heard Arlo's dad is about to be promoted to principal. Elara Tyne just had to offend him at a time like this. I guess she doesn't want to keep her job at Salt-U."

"Honestly, she's just young and fearless. It doesn't matter how old you are in this world. Money talks."

"As long as I don't offend Arlo, forget apologizing, I'd beg on my knees if I had to!"

Their chatter reached my ears, and Arlo grinned smugly. "Did you hear what they're saying, ugly? If you piss me off today, forget Salt-U, I'll make sure you don't have a place anywhere in Saltmere!"

I couldn't help but let out a quiet laugh. His father was just a Director of Academic Administration, not the mayor.

At that moment, his gaze fell on the "R" logo on my shirt, and his face twisted with disdain. "A single piece from Ridi costs at least tens of thousands. A nobody like you can't possibly afford it! Didn't you check if you even matched the brand before buying a knockoff?

"I'd bet you got it off the app selling counterfeit goods for 9.9 with free shipping and cashback for a five-star review!"

Laughter broke out around us again.

I paid it no mind, only glancing down at the logo on my shirt. My father had bought it for me before, saying it looked casual and suited me. I never paid much attention to brands. I'd wear whatever he got me as sleepwear, even if the fabric felt comfortable.

Besides, my father never bought fakes, so the shirt was definitely authentic.

Arlo must've thought I had been scared stiff when he noticed that I wasn't responding, so he knocked the documents out of my arms and sneered, "Why so quiet? Where'd all that attitude go? Scared now? Thinking about how to beg for mercy?"

As the papers scattered onto the ground, my temper finally flared. "What do you think you're doing? Is basic courtesy too much to ask from a student?"

He didn't say anything because his eyes widened in shock when his eyes caught the words "Board of Directors" printed on the document.