Chapter 185

“You Ronald stared at Charlotte, his face hard and full of shock. He looked like he couldn’t believe what he was hearing.
“When I was looking into Dennis, I checked up on you too.” Charlotte’s voice was calm, her eyes cold. She stood there, completely unbothered, like nothing could shake her. “I found out you smeared Shirley’s name, accused her of cheating, just because you wanted a couple of apartments. Then you stole her recommendation and handed it to someone else.”
Shirley’s eyes went wide. She hadn’t even known about the recommendation. All she could think was, Charlotte is incredible. How does she find out everything?
“You also run a tutoring business off campus. You give your students the exam questions in advance, so it looks like they’re suddenly improving, but it’s all fake.” Charlotte’s voice stayed steady. “And—”
“You’re making this up!” Ronald snapped. For a second, he looked like he might lose it. He stormed toward Charlotte, his eyes wild. “Charlotte, how dare you accuse me of this?”
“Oh, what, you’re going to start a fight now?” Mr. Lane jumped up and moved between them, ready to defend Charlotte. “Honestly, I can’t believe someone like you ever got hired as a teacher. If Lottie hadn’t found you out, who knows how many kids you would have dragged down with you.”
Nobody in the room had expected this. If what Charlotte said was true, Ronald wouldn’t just lose his job at Vanguard High. He’d lose his teaching license. He’d never be allowed to teach again. His whole career was about to go up in smoke.
Mr. Lane had barely finished talking when footsteps echoed from the hallway. Several people from the Board of Education walked in.
“Who’s Ronald Lee?” The official in front held up a fat stack of papers. His tone was all business. “We have evidence you violated the teacher’s code. We need you to cooperate with our investigation.”
Ronald saw the officials and all that paperwork. His knees gave out. He fell back into a chair, looking like all the blood had drained from his body. He was as pale as paper.
It was over. He was completely done for.
“Everyone except Mr. Lee can leave,” Jim said. His voice was cold, his expression stiff. He was going to handle this himself and report back to Mr. Lane.
Charlotte didn’t waste a second. She pulled her gaze away, her face unreadable, and walked out, her steps long and sure. Mr. Lane, Shirley, and Eleanor followed right behind her.
Olivia glanced back at Ronald, her look full of scorn, then hurried after the others. “Mr. Lane-”
Mr. Lane was right behind Charlotte, fussing over her, trying to get a smile He stopped short when Olivia blocked his w his way. He frowned but
kept his voice polite. “Do you need something?”
“Mr. Lane, I’m Olivia,” she said, nodding, putting on her best smile.
“Olivia?” Mr. Lane’s mood instantly soured. The daughter of those two, the one who picks on Lottie?
Olivia thought he recognized her, so
she straightened up, her pride showing. That’s right. Mr. Lane, I love physics, and I’ve been first in the class since got here was just wondering if you’d be willing to mentor me
“No. Not happening.” Mr. Lane cut her off without a second thought.
The rejection hit Olivia hard. Her face went white with embarrassment. “Mr. Lane, can I ask why?”
Mr. Lane glanced at Charlotte. His answer was blunt. “If Lottie doesn’t like someone, I don’t like them either.”
So he knew about her and Charlotte? Olivia’s heart sank. Charlotte must have said something to him, that’s why he wouldn’t take her as his student. Olivia shot Charlotte a look full of pure hatred, her eyes burning
as
she glared.