Chapter 3

Gregory's POV

Outside the school gate, the crowd completely lost control.

“Spying? Mr. Miles is that kind of person? My God! Has he been watching our kids, too?”

“That animal in human skin! No wonder he never lets those useless girls go home. So, this was what he was planning all along. He deserves to be torn apart!”

“And he calls himself a teacher? How could he do something like this? Thank God those two young teachers saw through him. We need a new principal, or we pull our kids out of school!”

“That’s right! Withdraw them! Let the two teachers out!”

The shouting grew uglier by the second. Rotten vegetables and foul-smelling eggs soon flew through the air, slamming into me.

I was filthy, reeking of garbage, when a stone struck the back of my head with a loud crack. Immediately, my vision went dark, and I nearly collapsed.

Something warm then streamed down my neck and into my spine.

I wiped it away, only for my palm to come back red with blood.

Mildred and Giselle only paused for a split second before continuing to close in on the gate.

“Mr. Miles, open the door now. If you don’t, you’ll pay for it,” Mildred warned.

Despite that, I showed no sign of backing down. Instead, I spread my arms wide and coldly commanded, “Go back! Don’t force my hand.”

They hesitated for a moment and exchanged uncertain glances.

That was when Connie spoke up.

“What are you afraid of, teachers?” she said calmly. “The villagers are backing you. If he so much as touches you, it’s sexual assault. You can report him then.”

At those words, the look in their eyes changed to a twisted, emboldened one. Step by step, they advanced toward me.

Behind me was the furious mob, while in front of me were two teachers itching for a fight.

I couldn’t retreat, and I wouldn’t retreat.

I straightened my spine and spoke clearly, each word sharp and heavy. “If you don’t want to be suspended, stop right now. There are cameras everywhere. Think carefully. What matters more to you, chasing some ‘adventure,’ or your careers?”

At that, their steps faltered. For a moment, they looked completely at a loss.

But Connie deliberately shoved forward from behind.

The next instant, Mildred crashed straight into my chest.

“Aah! He assaulted a female teacher!” Connie screamed. “The audacity!”

That single cry shattered the last trace of restraint.

Mildred and Giselle completely let go, clawing and lunging at me like wildcats.

They kicked, punched, and scratched with no restraint or hesitation.

Slaps landed again and again. Sharp fingernails tore across my brow, carving a long gash. As such, blood immediately gushed out and blurred my vision.

Still, I endured the blows, each one far from light, but I did not move. My feet felt rooted to the ground as I stood firm in front of the gate.

I stared at them coldly and evenly said, “If you want out, there are two options. First, sign the liability waiver.”

I paused, the chill in my eyes deepening, and continued, “Second, step over my dead body.”

My unyielding stance stunned them for a brief moment.

Mildred stamped her feet in rage, screaming hysterically. “Then tell us! Why are you locking us in? We just want to go out for a walk! What’s wrong with that?”

She pointed behind me at the massive iron gate, which was taller than a prison wall, with her emotions spiraling out of control, and shrieked, “You built a gate this high. You put cameras on every wall. You keep a dog fiercer than a wolf. You monitor us like criminals and lock us up like prisoners! Our entire world is this campus. The moment we step outside it, that damn dog charges at us like we’re thieves!”

Her chest heaved violently as tears streamed down her face. “Mr. Miles! What exactly are you trying to do? What did we female teachers ever do to deserve this?”

Giselle was shaking with anger as well, and she chimed in, “Fine. If you won’t let us out, then at least give us a reason today. If it’s reasonable, we’ll accept punishment, no matter what. But we will not allow you to keep us locked up without an explanation!”