Principal Brown had always held little real authority at the school.

The wealthy, influential parents dictated the rules, rendering her position largely symbolic.

She had felt it was wrong to expel Chloe Davis previously and had even pleaded on her behalf.

Now, she pulled Mrs. Lawrence and Evelyn Ross aside, lowering her voice. "Don't fight this. The Valentine family is the new School Director, and they're targeting you specifically. Fiona Valentine is determined to win this. Arguing further is pointless. You should find a new school for your children immediately."

She sighed. "Miss Valentine is serious this time. She didn't just expel your children. She's made it known throughout our circles. No school in New York will accept them now. Your best option might be to consider studying abroad, to find another path."

This well-meant advice was overheard by Miss Lee, the teacher who had expelled Benny Lawrence. She immediately sneered. "Principal Brown, don't you think you're talking too much? Showing such favoritism. Should I inform Miss Valentine and suggest she transfer you to a school that would actually take them?"

Principal Brown frowned. "I was merely offering advice. Miss Lee, you should know when to stop. The children are innocent."

"Innocent? Their parents offended Miss Valentine. That makes them far from innocent!"

Principal Brown had heard enough. "Besides, procedurally, Fiona Valentine isn't the School Director yet. She has no authority to expel students."

Miss Lee crossed her arms, embodying the classic villain, her posture dripping with arrogance. "See for yourself. The Valentine family's appointment letter has arrived. Miss Valentine will be School Director momentarily."

She jerked her chin toward a specific direction.

Everyone followed her gaze and saw the secretary of Mr. Valentine the Third. They were stunned into silence.

Principal Brown gave a bitter smile to Mrs. Lawrence and Evelyn.

She suddenly took a deep breath and turned to Miss Lee. "I've seen enough. First, expelling Chloe. Today, expelling Benny. What's next? Will Fiona Valentine's son become the little tyrant of the entire school? This is detrimental to the children's development! I must speak out against this!"

Miss Lee stepped forward and shoved her. "You old hag! What do you want to say? Go ahead and say it! I'll call Miss Valentine right now so you can say your piece! Perfect timing. Once you're fired, I can get promoted to Principal!"

Principal Brown's chest heaved with anger. "You... you are a disgrace to the teaching profession! So obsessed with climbing up, you've abandoned all basic decency!"

"Decency? What is decency in the face of power? Old woman, you've worked in early childhood education for so many years. You were good to the children, but what was the result?"

Miss Lee took another step closer. "A few years ago, you had a chance for a promotion and transfer. But because you didn't know how to suck up to Miss Valentine, you got stuck in this dump, clinging to your Principal title, preventing the rest of us from advancing! You'd better go explain yourself to Miss Valentine and leave quickly. Let me try being Principal!"

Mrs. Lawrence frowned. "Miss Lee, one should have a conscience! Karma will get you for this!"

Miss Lee kept her arms crossed. "Karma? Do you think this is a TV drama? You're from a wealthy family yourselves. Don't you understand this world doesn't operate on some simplistic 'good is rewarded, evil is punished' system?"

She lifted her chin, looking at Mrs. Lawrence and Evelyn. "You two, go beg Miss Valentine now. Maybe if you appease her, she'll leave a path open for your children."

Evelyn let out a derisive laugh. "The master hasn't even spoken, and the dog is already barking?"

Miss Lee was instantly enraged. "Who are you calling a dog?"

"Whoever recognizes themselves, I suppose~"

"You... you..."

Miss Lee was so angry her fingers trembled. She pointed at Benny Lawrence. "Benny, remember this! The reason you can't go to school anymore is because she offended me!"

Benny looked confusedly at Evelyn, then at Mrs. Lawrence, before finally hiding in Mrs. Lawrence's embrace.

Mrs. Lawrence was furious. "Why are you targeting a child again? A teacher like you is nothing but a disgrace in scholar's clothing! One bad apple spoils the whole barrel!"

Miss Lee raised her chin even higher. "Even if I'm that bad apple, I can still stay here! What about you? You'll have to beg everywhere just to get your child into a school!"

She snorted coldly and glared at Principal Brown. "And you! I'll remember this! Speaking up for them? I will definitely tell Miss Valentine!"

Principal Brown took a deep breath. "Go ahead and tell her! I've long wanted to quit! This job? I resign!"

Her eyes reddened.

She had entered this field because she genuinely loved children.

All these years, she had worked hard to be a good teacher and educate every student well.

But ever since Fiona Valentine's son enrolled three years ago, her nightmare began.

Fiona's son was overweight, affecting his health. She tried to control his diet. The chubby boy went home crying, and Fiona directly filled the classroom with snacks.

The children ate too many snacks and refused their meals...

She tried to manage it, but after being scolded by Fiona a few times for meddling, she gave up.

Later, her son became the school bully, leading other children in bullying the weak. Countless children had been victimized.

But the parents, knowing it was the Valentine family, could only tell their own children to placate the little tyrant, making him increasingly unruly.

Yes.

No one could stand against capital.

The Valentine family was now the School Director. Fiona Valentine would be even more unrestrained.

Good children like Chloe and Benny were expelled on a whim.

Hearing Principal Brown wanted to resign, Miss Lee laughed. "You resign? Miss Valentine won't give you the chance! You'll definitely be fired!"

Evelyn chuckled. "I can give you the chance to resign. Do you want it?"

Miss Lee was stunned, then burst into laughter. "What nonsense are you talking? You'll give me a chance? Miss Valentine's appointment letter is here! What chance can you give me? Anyone hearing you would think you're the School Director!"

As soon as the words left her mouth, Mr. Valentine the Third's secretary, having watched this farce long enough, finally spoke calmly. "Ah, but she is."