Chapter 4 The Wrong Person to Offend

Arlo clutched his stomach, laughing so hard he nearly doubled over, his face full of mockery. "Can you come up with a more believable lie? That crappy bracelet of yours looks moldy, and you're calling it priceless?!"

The two lackeys behind him burst into harsh laughter as well. "That color looks just like a beer bottle. Did you grind it down yourself or something?"

"With how broke she looks, she probably couldn't even afford the processing fee. I bet she got it by sleeping with some old fucker!"

My clenched fist trembled slightly, my nails digging deep into my palm. It was one thing for them to act arrogantly, but now they were actually spreading disgusting rumors about a female teacher in public?

My gaze swept across their ugly, sneering faces, and I made a silent vow. I would make sure all three of them failed this semester and learned what regret really meant. As for Arlo's father, who had spoiled him rotten. Well, he'd certainly be paying his dues soon enough.

"You're university students, aren't you? Don't you have even the most basic respect for your teachers? To think you would publicly insult a female faculty member! Aren't you afraid of disgracing Saltmere University?"

Arlo's embarrassment turned into anger as he pointed at me and shouted, "Look at yourself before talking! I haven't even come for you for scaring me with your beggar of an outfit!"

I let out a cold laugh. Since when had dressing simply become a crime? The sales associates would still greet me with nothing but smiles if I walked into Hermes in my pajamas.

He pulled out his phone and made a show of dialing, his tone arrogant and threatening. "Didn't you say I was embarrassing Salt-U? I'll have my dad fire you right now! We'll see who's really disgracing the school when you're on your knees begging for mercy!"

Just as he pressed the call button, a stern voice rang out from behind us. "The class bell rang quite a while ago, and you're all still causing chaos? Do you all want to fail and retake the course?"

David Sanders quickly walked up to me, instantly switching to a respectful smile. "Ms. Tyne, the board members are waiting for you in the meeting. They asked me to come and escort you."

I gave a slight nod. "Thank you. Let's go."

Just as I was about to leave, Arlo stepped in front of me again. "Who do you think you are to attend a board meeting?"

Then, he glanced sideways at the man who had just arrived. "This old fucker isn't some actor you hired, is he?"

One of the lackeys immediately chimed in with a lewd tone, "I bet they're buddies by day and buck buddies by night. I bet only old men are fine with ugly hags like her!"

Then, the three of them erupted into shrill laughter.

David's face turned livid with anger as he stepped forward, but I raised a hand to stop him.

I slowly lifted my phone, the recording interface clearly displayed on the screen. "According to school regulation 29, insulting a teacher results in a deduction of 10 credits. Every word you just said has been recorded. It's not too late to apologize now."

The two lackeys immediately panicked, looking at Arlo in confusion.

At that moment, Arlo's phone suddenly vibrated. He glanced at it, and a vicious grin spread across his face. "My dad said he'll deal with you after the meeting!"

He waved his phone smugly. "All the teaching evaluations are in my dad's hands. Do you really think you can send that recording out? Who are you trying to scare?"

His gaze suddenly landed on the meeting booklet in my hand, a flicker of malice crossing his eyes. "Also, how dare you carry around that little booklet like a prop! Do you really think you're qualified to attend a board meeting? Fine.

"I'll take you there myself and show you what a real meeting looks like!"

I curved my lips into a faint smile. "Since you're so eager, I don't suppose it'll do any harm for you to come along."

Arlo strode ahead, his voice trembling with excitement. "When we see my dad, I'll make you cry and beg me to delete your disciplinary record!"

He pushed open the meeting room doors.

The board members seated around the table all stood up at once.

Arlo assumed they were greeting him. So, he smiled and nodded. "You're too kind, gentlemen. You don't have to stand for someone my age."

Then, he looked at me smugly. "See that? That's how much influence my dad has. You picked the wrong person to mess with today."

Unfortunately for him, all the board members merely turned to me and spoke with utmost respect. "Greetings, Ms. Tyne."