Chapter 463
A 300,000 bonus wasn’t about to get Claire excited.
“That was last year,” Darcey said, smiling like it was her own money. “The principal just told us the school board raised it to 500,000 this year p>
Darcey looked so delighted that Claire almost felt bad for not matching her energy.
“Really?” Claire put on a look of surprise, playing along. “Why’d they bump it up by another 200,000 p>
“Who knows? The board probably just has money to burn,” Darcey said, shrugging. She noticed Claire finally looked a little interested and grinned. “The teachers have been gossiping about it nonstop p>
That’s private school for you. Big rewards always brought out the fiercest competitors.
At public schools, a bonus of 50,000 or even 100,000 would be a huge deal. Two hundred thousand was basically unheard of.
But at private schools, the board could make the prize as big as they wanted. To those shareholders, tossing around that kind of cash didn’t even make them blink.
Even teachers in charge of graduating classes got some serious bonuses here.
In public schools, teachers might take home a yearly salary of 100,000. If they had a title, maybe a little more, but not much.
At this school, a teacher’s salary and bonuses together easily reached beyond 200,000 a year. For senior class teachers, it often added up to 300,000 or more.
Just by securing Claire a spot at Cabinda University, Darcey would get a 50,000 bonus.
If Claire somehow became the top scorer on the final exam, Darcey would walk away with at least 100,000 more.
You really couldn’t complain about the treatment here. No wonder every teacher put their heart into helping the students succeed.
Claire smirked. “Guess the shareholders made a pile of money and decided to spread the love p>
“Anyway, if Octavia gives you any trouble, you can let me know,” Darcey reminded her as Claire got ready to leave.
“Got it, thank you.” Claire was never worried about Octavia making things hard for her anyway.
Cindy, on the other hand, looked like she could barely stay in her chair. Even during class, people kept sneaking glances her way.
The air of danger Claire used to bring as the so-called fake heiress was nowhere to be found in Cindy, the real deal.
People were still intimidated by the James family on the outside, but behind closed doors, everyone was whispering about what was really going on.
Sophia didn’t waste a second once Claire came back. “Claire, what’s going on? Did your adoptive mom actually ask you for your university recommendation spot? Was it for Cindy p>
She didn’t bother lowering her voice, not even a little, so of course Cindy heard every word.
Cindy’s hands balled up in her lap.
She never expected Claire to play so
dirty
ty and put her on Blast in front of the whole class. How was she supposed to face anyone now?
“Don’t make things up. My mom would never do that! It’s just a misunderstanding!” Cindy turned” around, voice tight, not caring that the teacher was right there.
Technically, it was a self-study period—they were supposed to review quietly while
the teacher sat up at the front, watching.
Cindy’s outburst made him frown. He clearly wasn’t having it.
“If you want to study, study. If you’d rather not, you can ask for permission to leave and go home p>
“I know all of you have comfortable lives and private tutors at home p>
“If studying here feels impossible, you’re welcome to do it alone at home p>
“The school is totally fine with that p>
“Just don’t disturb the rest of the class p>
He didn’t even mention Cindy by name, but that almost made it worse. She felt like she’d been slapped right there in public, her cheeks burning with embarrassment.
“Sorry, sir,” she mumbled. “I just heard Sophia talking about my mom and couldn’t help myself p>