Chapter 1

On the first day of school, my daughter was punished for taking a sip of water in class.

The teacher ordered her to buy snacks for the entire school for a whole year.

My daughter was terrified, crying hysterically and apologizing desperately.

But Miller wouldn't let it go.

She threw my daughter's water bottle on the floor and jabbed her finger at my daughter's nose, scolding her:

"How dare you sneak food in my class? I don't care what your excuse is. In my classroom, you follow my rules."

"Since this is your first offense, I'll just punish you by making you buy snacks for the whole school for one year."

But when I actually delivered the items to the whole school, she fell to her knees begging me to take back the punishment.

I smirked.

"A year is a year.

There are still 364 days left.

Not one day less."

"Buy snacks for the entire school for a whole year?"

I cried out in disbelief.

Even if my daughter had actually broken some rule, the punishment shouldn't be this extreme.

And all she did was take a sip of water in class.

Seeing my reaction, my daughter nervously clutched the corner of her shirt, her eyes brimming with helplessness and fear.

Noticing her small gesture, my heart ached.

I pulled her into my arms and whispered soothingly: "It's okay, you didn't do anything wrong.

Even if the sky falls, I will hold it up for you.

I'm going to message Miller right now and get to the bottom of this."

Knowing my daughter would have to study under this teacher for three years, I suppressed my emotions and inquired as politely and calmly as possible: "Miller, a class is only forty-five minutes long.

It's perfectly normal for a child to get thirsty."

"Even if Emma drinking water in your class disturbed you somehow, surely it doesn't warrant punishing my child by making her buy snacks for the entire school for a year."

Five minutes passed with no response on the chat screen, but the parent group chat suddenly exploded.

"This parent, when someone makes a mistake, they deserve to be punished.

At your age, there's no need to throw your weight around with me."

"If you can't even afford a few dollars' worth of snacks, I'll sponsor you two bucks so you can take your kid home on the bus."

Miller publicly tagged me, acting as though she'd suffered some terrible injustice.

Seeing this, other parents chimed in one after another in support.

"I've heard Miller is famous for being a strict teacher who produces excellent students.

I feel confident leaving my child in your hands.

I'm not like certain parents who can't handle things properly.

You can discipline my child however you see fit."

"Why have kids if you can't afford them?

If you can't pay this little bit, then tell your kid to behave and not break the rules."

"Miller, don't let this upset you."

The disparaging messages jumped out at me, making my whole body tremble with anger.

Every other comment mentioned money.

I laughed coldly to myself, suddenly understanding.

This Miller was targeting me specifically.

The night before school started, Miller had posted a payment link in the parent group chat for a ten-thousand-dollar luxury watch, calling it an "opening day gift."

All the parents fought tooth and nail for the privilege of paying for it.

Only I remained silent and didn't respond.

Unexpectedly, Miller called me out directly, graciously bestowing the "opportunity" on me.

"Emma's parent, you're the only one in the group who hasn't said anything, and you haven't messaged me privately either.

So this opportunity goes to you."

I found this behavior distasteful and politely declined.

The group fell instantly silent.

Miller didn't respond, and I thought the matter was settled.

Turns out she was waiting for this moment.

There was no point in further discussion.

I crouched down and gripped my daughter's hand tightly: "Don't be afraid, Emma.

You didn't do anything wrong.

I paid your tuition, and tomorrow I'm personally taking you to school.

You just focus on your studies.

I refuse to believe there isn't a single reasonable person at that school!"

My daughter hesitated, then nodded.

The next day, I didn't leave until I watched my daughter enter the classroom with my own eyes.

However, two hours later, Miller called again.

The moment I answered, I was hit with a barrage of scolding.

"Emma's mom, you need to come to school immediately and take your child home.

This is outrageous.

At such a young age, she's already bullying her classmates..."