Chapter 3

"Well! If that's what you want, don't blame me for exposing your shame!"

As Jennifer took out her phone to call her mother, I also called Harlan, who was in a meeting out of town, but no one answered.

I had no choice but to send him a message, asking him to come back quickly.

In a short while, Doris arrived at the school.

Jennifer took out a spare key and opened the door for her.

"Mom, don't be afraid! Tell everyone here, is Odelia the third party in your marriage?"

Doris bit her lip lightly, looking weak and helpless.

"Jennifer, just let it go! After all, it's a family matter. Airing our history in public won't do Odelia's reputation any good."

"Mom, she has bullied you, yet you are still thinking about her! She's only so bold in her affair because she thinks you're an easy target. With so many witnesses today, it's time to stand up for you, the rightful wife!"

Doris blinked, a tear escaping the corner of her eye. "I'm just a housewife, while Odelia holds a prestigious position as a vice principal. What can we do to fight against her?"

I couldn't help but chuckle at her ambiguous words.

My gaze was piercing as I bore into her. "Doris, tell the truth. Did you and Harlan ever obtain a marriage certificate?"

Doris, her lips pressed tight, shrank behind Jennifer, her demeanor suggesting I had struck fear into her very soul.

The male teacher, who had defended me moments before, now felt a surge of protectiveness towards Doris.

He pointed an accusing finger at me, his voice firm as he comforted her, "Don't be afraid. You have our support. If you identify Odelia as the mistress, we will collectively bring this to the attention of the authorities and ensure she faces the full extent of the consequences."

A fleeting sparkle of cunning danced in Doris's eyes, quickly replaced by a well of sorrow as she lifted her gaze.

With a dramatic display of despair, she dropped to her knees before me, her tears and snot mingling in a plea. "Mrs. Woolf, I beg of you, have mercy on us!"

This spectacle was a dagger to the hearts of all who witnessed it.

Doris was clearly sidestepping my question, yet the onlookers seemed to interpret her behavior as an admission of my alleged degradation.

Jennifer's voice rose above the murmurs, her arms waving with fervor. "Guys, if we turn a blind eye today, who will stand for us when our time comes? Today, we are the judges of the mistress! For this shameless mistress who wreaks havoc on others' family, we owe it to ourselves to mete out justice!"

Encouraged by Jennifer's impassioned words, the students jumped onto their desks, their chant of "Expel the mistress and make it right" echoing through the hall.

Amidst the turmoil, an anonymous hand hurled a rotten egg in my direction.

Doris, concealed within the crowd, offered me a smirk of triumph as I stood there, befouled and humiliated.

Seizing the opportunity, Jennifer delivered a swift kick to my abdomen.

A bolt of agony shot through me, and I doubled over, a trickle of blood seeping from between my legs.

As the situation became out of control, a handful of male teachers intervened, their presence a wall against the escalating chaos.

The pool of blood beneath me spread, and Jennifer, still just a schoolgirl, was gripped by panic.

"Mrs. Woolf, if you apologize to my mother with a bow and promise to keep away from my father after resigning, I'll consider our scores settled," she said.

I met their gaze with a surge of resentment. "You will pay for this!"

As my words fell, the classroom door burst open, and Harlan, drenched in sweat, rushed in.

"What has happened, Odelia?" he questioned.

Ignoring the ache in my body, I gestured sarcastically towards Jennifer. "Care to explain? Why didn't I know that you had an illegitimate daughter?"

Harlan paused, then, digesting the information, he turned and slapped Jennifer without delay.

"Where are you from, you unruly child? You're so ill-mannered!" he demanded.