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Chapter_61
Lysander was seething with anger. His face darkened, eyes flashing with fury as he snapped, “Can you all just back off? Ms. Vivienne got her double PhD from Elite University at sixteen. I had to move heaven and earth to bring her here. What more do you want? Do you think just anyone can get her to teach here? If it weren’t for my personal connection with her, she wouldn’t be in this school at all. Your kids are lucky to call her ‘teacher.’ Isn’t that an honor?”
He thought his words would calm the parents down, but instead, they seemed to fuel their disbelief.
“A sixteen-year-old with a double PhD from Elite University?” one sneered, narrowing their eyes. “Lysander, how much did Vivienne pay you? Are you really willing to toss aside any sense of decency for her? Everyone knows who she is in high society. Don’t pretend you’re blind to the truth.”
“Yeah, right,” another chimed in, voice dripping with sarcasm. “She came from the sticks, left the Hawthorn family when she was nine, and spent years at some obscure monastery. Where did she go to school? Did she teach herself? So now you’re calling her a genius? Please, stop insulting our intelligence.”
“Exactly!” A third voice joined in. “The Hawthorn family might’ve taken her back, but even Beatrice refuses to acknowledge her. If she was so exceptional, why hasn’t Beatrice thrown her a banquet or formally recognized her? This whole thing smells fishy.”
Lysander’s blood was boiling. He opened his mouth to defend Vivienne, but the words stuck in his throat. The truth was, Vivienne hadn’t brought her diploma when she was hired, and he hadn’t even asked for it. She was hired to teach Class Eighteen, not lecture on advanced topics—he hadn’t seen the need. But now, standing here before these skeptical parents, Lysander realized how foolish he’d been.
Frustrated, he pulled out his phone, dialing Vivienne’s number. He needed her to bring her PhD diploma and put these rumors to rest once and for all.
Just as the phone started to ring, a sudden ringtone sounded from outside the office.
Vivienne, who had been standing just outside, raised an eyebrow at Lysander’s call. It was a bit awkward. She hadn’t expected to hear from him, especially not like this. With a sigh, she ended the call and stepped into the office.
“Lysander,” she greeted, her voice calm despite the storm brewing around her.
Lysander immediately rushed up to her, his expression a mix of frustration and urgency. “Vivienne, did you bring your PhD diploma with you?”
Vivienne stared at him, blinking in surprise. “No. Who carries that around all the time?”
“I need you to go get it,” Lysander whispered, glancing around nervously. “You see how outrageous these parents are. It’s the only way to shut them up.”
Vivienne’s lips curled into a mocking smile. “Do you really think it’ll help?” She gave a small shake of her head. “These people have already made up their minds. Even if I show them my diploma, they’ll just come up with another excuse. They’ll never accept me.”
Just then, a sharp voice cut through the conversation.
“Are you Vivienne?”
Vivienne turned to face the woman who had spoken, a look of indifference on her face. “I am.”
“I think it’s time you leave Cloudcrest High School,” the woman declared, her tone haughty. “Our children won’t accept you as their teacher.”
Vivienne’s gaze remained cool. “I’m paid by the principal,” she said evenly. “Unless he asks me to leave, I won’t be going anywhere.”
The woman’s frown deepened. “Are you deliberately opposing us? You think we’re powerless, don’t you? Our families are no worse than the Hawthorn family. If we stand together, you won’t be able to stay here. Even the Hawthorn family won’t be able to protect you.”
Vivienne’s eyes gleamed with a dangerous edge. “So, you’re threatening me?” she asked, her voice low, almost amused.
“Yes, I am,” the woman shot back, lifting her chin defiantly. “If you’re smart, you’ll leave now. Otherwise, we’ll make sure your time here is over. My child is preparing for entrance exams, and I won’t let you ruin that.”
Vivienne’s smile tightened, her eyes never leaving the woman’s face. “Oh?” she said, her voice laced with quiet challenge. “Which family are you from?”
The woman’s chest puffed out proudly. “The Field family.”
Vivienne’s expression didn’t change. The Field family was known for their clothing business. They had built a second-tier brand over the years, but compared to the Hawthorn family, they were nothing. Money-wise, the Field family was rich, but the Hawthorns had influence.
Vivienne took a step closer to the woman, her tone colder than before. “I have a pet peeve, and that’s being threatened. Hilda, you seem to have a lot of free time. Let me give you something to do.”
Before Hilda could respond, Vivienne pulled out her phone and made a quick call. “Dawson, I’m being bullied,” she said coolly into the receiver.
On the other end of the line, Dawson, the chairman of Alliance Enterprises, sat up straight, his voice instantly sharp. “Who’s doing this? I’ll make them regret it.”
“The Field family from Havenwood.”
Dawson’s expression darkened. “Hold tight, Mystic Mistress. I’ll take care of this.”
Vivienne smirked. “That’s fine. You alone will do.”
Before Dawson could rally his usual network of muscle, Vivienne stopped him. “Alright, got it.”
She hung up, and Dawson immediately called for his assistant. “Invest 20 million into taking down the Field family. If any of them dare to stir up trouble again, I’ll hold you accountable.”
The assistant paled, scrambling to obey. “Understood, sir!”
Meanwhile, outside the office, Hilda was still scoffing, unfazed. “You think you can scare me with that phone call? Try it and see. But you’re dreaming if you think I’ll let you stay here. You’ll never teach another class.”
Vivienne let out a short laugh, a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “I never thought you had the authority to decide that.”
Hilda seethed, her fists clenched. But before she could retort, a teacher rushed in, excitement practically bubbling over. “Principal, Mr. James’ team has arrived!”
Lysander’s eyes lit up. “Really? Let them in immediately!” He turned toward the parents, trying to calm them. “This is Mr. James we’re talking about. He’s our golden opportunity!”
As the team entered, Vivienne glanced at the time. It was exactly 8:00 a.m.
Mr. James was always punctual. When he said eight, it was eight.
The parents who had been throwing accusations and threats at Vivienne suddenly softened. Their smiles returned as they eagerly gathered around, hoping to impress Mr. James and show off their kids.
“Quick, let them in,” Lysander urged, barely able to contain his own excitement.
And then, Mr. James entered the office. The moment he saw Vivienne, he broke into a wide grin. “Vivienne! There you are! Have you lost weight or just gained some?”
The parents were frozen in shock. Their eyes widened as they took in the exchange, unable to comprehend what they were seeing. Vivienne’s presence, and her relationship with someone of Mr. James’ stature, was far beyond anything they had imagined.
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