Chapter 1

Gregory's POV

I had been the principal of this rural school for ten years, enforcing the rules without exception.

In all that time, not a single female volunteer teacher had dared to leave campus without permission.

Except for these two.

This year’s pair tried everything they could think of to sneak out.

The first time, they dismantled a security camera and climbed over the wall, only to be caught by me during a patrol.

The second time, they hid inside a garbage truck, but my guard dog sniffed them out.

The third time, they wore school uniforms and blended in with the students, but I exposed them on the spot.

This time, they went straight for confrontation, livestreaming it for the whole world to see.

“Mr. Miles, don’t think being the principal means you can do whatever you want,” one of them shouted into her phone. “We came here to teach, not to be imprisoned. What right do you have to stop us from leaving?”

“Exactly!” the other chimed in. “What kind of ridiculous rule is this? Male teachers can go out, but women can’t? You clearly have ulterior motives. Let me tell you right now, we’re leaving today. You’re not locking us up anymore!”

The livestream chat exploded, calling me a monster in human clothing and accusing me of having no conscience.

Even the villagers who had gathered nearby began pointing at me, hurling insults one after another.

I scanned the crowd, then fixed my gaze coldly on the two of them.

“Fine,” I said evenly. “Sign this liability waiver. Once you step out that gate, whatever happens has nothing to do with the school.”

——

But Mildred Hollis snatched the paper from my hand and ripped it to shreds.

“Why should we sign this?” she snapped. “And that so-called rule where men can leave but women can’t? It’s a blatant abuse of power, clearly aimed at the two of us!”

She then stomped on the torn pieces, grinding them into the dirt.

Giselle Rowland, on the other hand, shoved her phone right up in my face, all trace of respect gone.

“So much for ‘Top Ten Principal’ or ‘the soul engineer of the mountains.’ You’re nothing but a tyrant who restricts personal freedom. I’m not signing anything today. Try stopping us if you dare.”

With that, she turned and walked straight toward the school gate.

I looked down at the scraps of paper scattered across the ground. Rage surged up my chest, nearly choking me, but I forced it down.

I then turned, quickly locked the main gate, and stood in front of it, speaking to her as calmly as I could. “Ms. Rowland, I’m stopping you for your own safety. The locals here can be rough, and the mountain terrain is dangerous. If you get lost or run into aggressive wild animals, the consequences could be disastrous—”

“That’s a lie!” Giselle cut me off sharply.

Then she pointed toward Connie from the cafeteria, who was watching the commotion, and continued, “Connie is from the mountains. She said there are no wild animals here at all. Clearly, you only made this up just to scare us and control our freedom!”

Mildred glared at me, furious. “You still think we’ll believe you? The students, their parents, and even the male teachers who’ve gone out all say the mountains are beautiful with fruit trees everywhere. I’ve also seen the photos they brought back, and this place isn’t barren like you claim. Mr. Miles, you keep blocking us from leaving. What are you really up to?”

I glanced at Connie. She met my eyes and gave me a faint, unreadable smile.

“Mr. Miles, don’t blame me,” she said casually. “I’m just telling the truth. I’ve lived in these mountains for decades and never seen any wild animals. Moreover, it is harvest season, but I've even managed to gather some fresh fruit and gave them to Ms. Hollis and Ms. Rowland today.”

She paused, then added pointedly, “They’ve been here for a month already, locked inside the school getting used to work every day. It’s only natural for young women to want to relax and go for a walk. Don’t you think it’s a bit much to keep stopping them?”

That was when it clicked.

So, that was why they kept breaking the rules again and again. Someone had been deliberately egging them on.

I let out a cold laugh.

“Whether it’s ‘a bit much’ isn’t for me to decide,” I said flatly. “School rules are school rules. They exist to protect teachers. Now go back. I’ll let this incident slide, but only this once.”