chapter800

Nolan wasn't about to let it go. "Principal, what about Luke? He doesn't belong here. Make him transfer out," he said, his voice rising.

Mr. Murphy just smiled, turning to Lydia. "Whether Luke stays or transfers is really up to him and his guardian."

The message was clear. This was how things were going to be. If Lydia wanted Luke to stay, fine. If she didn't, they could leave. It was a soft threat, but a threat all

the same.

Mr. Murphy was no fool.

Lydia's eyes were icy. "So you're just going to ignore them threatening a student and insulting a staff?"

Mr. Murphy's smile was easy, almost smug. How am I ignoring it? Didn't I have them each write a letter of reflection? And look, Luke's completely fine. Nolan got slapped by you, isn't he? What else do you want?"

Lydia's lips curled into a colder smile. "So this is your idea of fairness?"

Mr. Murphy nodded. "I think it's perfectly fair."

Lydia glanced at Mr. Bush, who stood silently beside her. "Mr. Bush, don't you have anything to say?"

Mr. Bush just looked tired and bitter. His hands were clenched tight, then dropped limply to his sides.

What could he even do? Everyone knew Roger and Mr. Murphy were close, which meant Roger could do whatever he wanted at school and no one dared stand up to him. Nolan was even worse. The moment Mr. Bush tried to discipline him, Roger turned on him, making his work life miserable. Mr. Bush was just the dorm supervisor and PE teacher, with no power, no background. What could he possibly do?

"I'll turn in my resignation. You'll have to hire a new PE teacher."

Mr. Murphy looked pleased. "If you're set on leaving, I won't stop you."

Lydia shook her head, clicking her tongue. "Mr. Murphy, you're wasted here. Instead of making life miserable for teachers and students, you should go be an actor. You'd really shine in show business."

This time, Mr. Murphy's smile faded completely. "You're Luke's guardian, right? I've cut you some slack since you're young, but you just don't know when to quit. Did you really think a student like Luke, with his issues, is someone our school wants?"

"That's right," Nolan's mother Ashley

chimed in with a cold sneer. "Everything happened today is his.

fau

You should just transfer him to a special school and stop causing trouble for the rest of us."

Luke's face went pale.

A shadow passed over Lydia's eyes. She looked straight at Ashley, her smile sharp as a knife. "Does it feet good, watching your husband and his mistress protect your son or maybe you're into sharing Doesn't that gross you out?"

Ashley's face changed instantly. Ms. Murphy and Roger both looked stunned.

"You! What are you saying? Gina is my best friend, and my husband's boss. Stop making up lies!"

"Oh, is that so? Because I heard your husband and Ms. Murphy have something going on."

"That's a complete lie!" Ashley yelled, her voice shaking.

Roger couldn't take it anymore. "Ms. Murphy, how can you let Luke's guardian slander us like this? Luke needs to be expelled. Make him transfer now!"

Ms. Murphy had clearly run out of patience. She had tried to let things slide, but Lydia wouldn't let up. She just kept pushing, making everything worse.

Fine. If that's how Lydia wanted it, then no more mercy.

Luke, you're expelled from this school. Have your guardian find you somewhere else."

Lydia's voice came out cold as ice. "I just don't get it. How does someone like you end up running a school?"

Ms. Murphy scoffed. "You're still young. You have a lot to learn about the real world."

Just then, Lydia's phone chimed. She glanced down at the screen, a soft laugh escaping her. "One... two... three..."

Everyone in the room suddenly felt

uneasy. Ms. Murphy, Roger, Ashley...

they all sensed something was about to happen, but Lyche was just standing there, calm as ever.

Lydia