When Arrogance Meets Authority

Then, she raised her voice again and put on a show of scolding me. "Ms. Tyne, you're a teacher, so you need to be mindful of your appearance! How do you expect students to respect you when you dress so poorly? Now, apologize to this student right this instant!"

I looked at the fake smile plastered across her face, my irritation rising to the surface. This was the same grade coordinator who always preached about "professional ethics." Yet, she was now bowing lower than a restaurant server.

I slowly pulled my arm back, ignoring her stunned gaze as I spoke word by word. "What's the first rule in the teacher's code of conduct? Equality between teachers and students. Mutual respect."

I understood Leona's intention to smooth things over between Arlo and me. After all, she was the grade coordinator. Her salary would take a hit if things escalated because of me. However, she also couldn't afford to offend Arlo's father.

So, I made my stance clear. "I did nothing wrong today. I will not apologize."

Students passing by noticed the tension escalating, and every one of them wore a look of barely concealed amusement.

"I heard Arlo's dad is about to be promoted to principal. Elara Tyne just had to offend him at a time like this. I guess she doesn't want to keep her job at Salt-U."

"Honestly, she's just young and fearless. It doesn't matter how old you are in this world. Money talks."

"As long as I don't offend Arlo, forget apologizing, I'd beg on my knees if I had to!"

Their chatter reached my ears, and Arlo grinned smugly. "Did you hear what they're saying, ugly? If you piss me off today, forget Salt-U, I'll make sure you don't have a place anywhere in Saltmere!"

I couldn't help but let out a quiet laugh. His father was just a Director of Academic Administration, not the mayor.

At that moment, his gaze fell on the "R" logo on my shirt, and his face twisted with disdain. "A single piece from Ridi costs at least tens of thousands. A nobody like you can't possibly afford it! Didn't you check if you even matched the brand before buying a knockoff?

"I'd bet you got it off the app selling counterfeit goods for 9.9 with free shipping and cashback for a five-star review!"

Laughter broke out around us again.

I paid it no mind, only glancing down at the logo on my shirt. My father had bought it for me before, saying it looked casual and suited me. I never paid much attention to brands. I'd wear whatever he got me as sleepwear, even if the fabric felt comfortable.

Besides, my father never bought fakes, so the shirt was definitely authentic.

Arlo must've thought I had been scared stiff when he noticed that I wasn't responding, so he knocked the documents out of my arms and sneered, "Why so quiet? Where'd all that attitude go? Scared now? Thinking about how to beg for mercy?"

As the papers scattered onto the ground, my temper finally flared. "What do you think you're doing? Is basic courtesy too much to ask from a student?"

He didn't say anything because his eyes widened in shock when his eyes caught the words "Board of Directors" printed on the document.

Arrogance Meets Reality

"Why do you have a Board of Directors meeting booklet?" he screeched in disbelief.

I rolled my eyes at him. "Why can't I have one?"

At Saltmere University, the Board of Directors wasn't something just anyone could get into. One was either a highly respected senior professor or someone with serious financial backing. Anyone allowed to attend was a figure of real influence.

When one of Arlo's lackeys noticed something was off with his expression, he quickly chimed in, "Boss, don't take her seriously. Look at her. She's ugly and broke! What could she possibly be? That's definitely a fake document she printed to put on airs!"

I couldn't help rolling my eyes again, wondering if he actually had anything in his head besides showing off?

My eyes fell on my watch, which was now pointing to 11.40 a.m. I frowned because the board meeting was set to begin at noon. I needed to get there early. Otherwise, my ears would have to suffer through another round of my dad's nagging.

So, I took my phone back from the lackey's hands after I picked up the booklet.

"What are you doing?!"

I didn't bother turning back as I walked away. I was taking my phone. What else would I be doing?

Alas, I had only taken a couple of steps when Arlo grabbed my sleeve. "Hey, ugly, stop right there! Did I say you could leave? Wanna bet if I'll have you thrown out of Salt-U right now?"

I was in a hurry to get to the meeting room and had no time to waste on him. To make matters worse, his two lackeys rushed over to block me as well. During the scuffle, someone even stepped on Arlo's shoe .

"Are you blind, ugly? How dare you step on my shoes? You couldn't afford to pay for these even if you slave away for 10 lifetimes!"

My gaze dropped to his shoes. They were just an ordinary pair of athletic sneakers. I didn't know much about clothes, but I knew enough about shoes.

"I have a meeting to attend. I don't have time to waste here. How much do you want? Just name the price so I can compensate you."

As I raised my phone to make a transfer, Arlo laughed. "Ugly, are you joking? You think these are like the cheap trash you wear? I'm telling you, you could never afford something like this even if you sold everything you own—"

I wasn't in the mood to listen to his bragging, so I cut him off. "Is 1,000 enough? I'll transfer it right now."

Arlo's expression twisted again. "1,000? That won't even cover one shoelace. How dare you look down on me!"

Then, his eyes flickered maliciously, clearly plotting something. "But I'm not unreasonable. I might consider letting this slide if you strip naked, get down on your knees, and bark like a dog twice."

I didn't bother holding back after how aggressive he was being. "Don't get too ahead of yourself. When we were arguing earlier, the cup you were holding also damaged my bracelet."

Arlo didn't care in the slightest. "It's just some crappy bracelet. The damn thing looks like glass. Only a hick like you would treat it like treasure. Go on, name a price. I'll pay you double, but you still have to kneel and bark."

I looked down at the bracelet, falling into thought. My father's words echoed in my mind.

"Elara, this is a very valuable family heirloom. It's made from top-grade emerald. Take good care of it."

After a moment, I spoke again. "I honestly don't know how much this bracelet is worth. However, I do know one thing… You definitely can't afford it."

The Wrong Person to Offend

Arlo clutched his stomach, laughing so hard he nearly doubled over, his face full of mockery. "Can you come up with a more believable lie? That crappy bracelet of yours looks moldy, and you're calling it priceless?!"

The two lackeys behind him burst into harsh laughter as well. "That color looks just like a beer bottle. Did you grind it down yourself or something?"

"With how broke she looks, she probably couldn't even afford the processing fee. I bet she got it by sleeping with some old fucker!"

My clenched fist trembled slightly, my nails digging deep into my palm. It was one thing for them to act arrogantly, but now they were actually spreading disgusting rumors about a female teacher in public?

My gaze swept across their ugly, sneering faces, and I made a silent vow. I would make sure all three of them failed this semester and learned what regret really meant. As for Arlo's father, who had spoiled him rotten. Well, he'd certainly be paying his dues soon enough.

"You're university students, aren't you? Don't you have even the most basic respect for your teachers? To think you would publicly insult a female faculty member! Aren't you afraid of disgracing Saltmere University?"

Arlo's embarrassment turned into anger as he pointed at me and shouted, "Look at yourself before talking! I haven't even come for you for scaring me with your beggar of an outfit!"

I let out a cold laugh. Since when had dressing simply become a crime? The sales associates would still greet me with nothing but smiles if I walked into Hermes in my pajamas.

He pulled out his phone and made a show of dialing, his tone arrogant and threatening. "Didn't you say I was embarrassing Salt-U? I'll have my dad fire you right now! We'll see who's really disgracing the school when you're on your knees begging for mercy!"

Just as he pressed the call button, a stern voice rang out from behind us. "The class bell rang quite a while ago, and you're all still causing chaos? Do you all want to fail and retake the course?"

David Sanders quickly walked up to me, instantly switching to a respectful smile. "Ms. Tyne, the board members are waiting for you in the meeting. They asked me to come and escort you."

I gave a slight nod. "Thank you. Let's go."

Just as I was about to leave, Arlo stepped in front of me again. "Who do you think you are to attend a board meeting?"

Then, he glanced sideways at the man who had just arrived. "This old fucker isn't some actor you hired, is he?"

One of the lackeys immediately chimed in with a lewd tone, "I bet they're buddies by day and buck buddies by night. I bet only old men are fine with ugly hags like her!"

Then, the three of them erupted into shrill laughter.

David's face turned livid with anger as he stepped forward, but I raised a hand to stop him.

I slowly lifted my phone, the recording interface clearly displayed on the screen. "According to school regulation 29, insulting a teacher results in a deduction of 10 credits. Every word you just said has been recorded. It's not too late to apologize now."

The two lackeys immediately panicked, looking at Arlo in confusion.

At that moment, Arlo's phone suddenly vibrated. He glanced at it, and a vicious grin spread across his face. "My dad said he'll deal with you after the meeting!"

He waved his phone smugly. "All the teaching evaluations are in my dad's hands. Do you really think you can send that recording out? Who are you trying to scare?"

His gaze suddenly landed on the meeting booklet in my hand, a flicker of malice crossing his eyes. "Also, how dare you carry around that little booklet like a prop! Do you really think you're qualified to attend a board meeting? Fine.

"I'll take you there myself and show you what a real meeting looks like!"

I curved my lips into a faint smile. "Since you're so eager, I don't suppose it'll do any harm for you to come along."

Arlo strode ahead, his voice trembling with excitement. "When we see my dad, I'll make you cry and beg me to delete your disciplinary record!"

He pushed open the meeting room doors.

The board members seated around the table all stood up at once.

Arlo assumed they were greeting him. So, he smiled and nodded. "You're too kind, gentlemen. You don't have to stand for someone my age."

Then, he looked at me smugly. "See that? That's how much influence my dad has. You picked the wrong person to mess with today."

Unfortunately for him, all the board members merely turned to me and spoke with utmost respect. "Greetings, Ms. Tyne."