Chapter 2

"Principal, what exactly am I apologizing for?"

Principal Hayes's expression darkened, and he lowered his voice.

"Shane, now's not the time to be stubborn. The parents are emotional. Show them the right attitude first."

"Attitude?"

I looked at him.

"You want me to show an attitude for something I didn't do?"

Rachel rushed over shrieking.

"You're still pretending! My daughter was almost driven to suicide by you, and you still dare say you didn't do it?"

Ethan Morgan clenched his fists, veins bulging on his neck.

"Shane Lawson, if you don't kneel and apologize today, I'll kill you!"

"Kneel?"

I looked toward Vivian Morgan standing behind the crowd.

She kept her head down, her school uniform sleeves crumpled from gripping them.

I was Vivian Morgan's class advisor.

The first time I entered the classroom, all the other students looked up to listen.

Only she didn't dare make eye contact with me.

At the start of the school year, she could only score in the thirties on math tests.

When others laughed at her, she would bury her head in her books.

After I took over the class, I discovered she would secretly copy her mistakes three times.

I had tutored her, explained functions to her.

And when classmates mocked her, I once said:

"Poor grades aren't a crime. Giving up is."

As a teacher,

I didn't want any student to fall behind.

Rachel was crying and wailing, sitting right on the floor and slapping her thighs.

"My daughter is only a freshman! How will she live from now on? How will she get married?"

"Shane! We're the county's top high school here!"

"If this blows up, it'll seriously damage the school's reputation!"

"Just admit to this first, then we'll discuss it properly with the parents."

Principal Derek Hayes put his arm around my shoulder, trying to persuade me in a low voice.

I shook off Derek Hayes's hand.

"Principal, I never did anything like this!"

Derek Hayes's expression turned grave.

"Shane! I know you feel wronged."

"But think about it. You're just an intern teacher with no permanent position, no connections."

"If this blows up, you won't even be able to keep your teaching certificate."

"Just appease them for now!"

Appease?

By admitting guilt?

I took a step forward.

"Vivian Morgan, look at me."

Rachel immediately blocked her.

"You still want to threaten my daughter?"

"Everyone saw it! He's still trying to intimidate the child in public!"

Vivian's shoulders trembled.

Ethan immediately shouted.

"You dare question her? Look how scared you've made her!"

Derek Hayes quickly spoke up.

"Mr. Lawson, don't agitate the student."

"Vivian, don't be afraid. The principal is here. No one can hurt you."

"Let me ask you, did Mr. Lawson often tutor you alone?"

Vivian nodded.

"Did he sometimes tutor you until very late?"

Vivian nodded again.

"During tutoring, was it just the two of you in the classroom?"

I immediately said:

"The door was always open, and there are cameras in the classroom."

"Vivian Morgan, when I tutored you, did I ever close the door when we were alone?"

"Did I ever touch you? Did I ever say anything inappropriate?"

Tears fell from her eyes, but she still didn't speak.

Derek Hayes sighed, as if deeply pained.

"Shane, what's the point of pressuring a child like this?"