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~Mr. Julon's POV~
The weight of the moment pressed down on me like a ton of bricks. Seeing Vale walk into my office was like a lifeline thrown to a drowning man, yet I couldn't even reach for it without feeling more humiliation pile up on my shoulders.
I quickly braced myself, stiffening my back and clearing my throat to appear composed, though my mind was far from it.
That stupid boy, Damian had shattered my dignity into a million pieces with his words. Never in my life had anyone spoken to me with such disdain, such merciless mockery. My career, my authority, my very self-respect, it all felt like it was crumbling beneath the weight of his sharp tongue.
I blinked rapidly to hold back tears, shifting my gaze to the wooden office door Vale had just walked through. The faint sound of footsteps is beyond offered a temporary distraction from my spiraling thoughts.
'Thank God Vale saved me, she's here but I don't think I can save what's coming for her, what will I do now what if he's continued to insult me in front of Vale, will Vale's presence stop him from insulting me any further?, God help me ' i thought
'that stupid boy.....' I thought bitterly, clenching my fists on the desks. He ruined everything
"Mr. Julon?" Vale's soft tone carried concern, but I couldn't bring myself to meet her eyes.
Her voice broke through my internal monologue like a gentle knock on the door of my mind.
'What do I do then?'
"Mr Julon"
'Should I act strict?'
"Mr Julon"
'Should i? Would that regain the respect I so desperately needed? Maybe if I projected authority with Vale, Damian would realize I wasn't to be trifled with. He would know the complications of his words and actions and that all the students here respect me. Vale is the perfect student and option, always respectful. Perhaps I could just use her obedience as a buffer to reassert control.... Please forgive me after this you know it's not my intention'.
"Mr julon?" she said again, louder this time.
Snapping out of my trance, I quickly turned to the direction of the voice, blinking as if her face were a puzzle I couldn't solve, realising I've not said anything to her.
Behind her stood Damian, leaning casually against the wall, his sharp eyes watching my every move like a predator studying its prey. The cold amusement in his gaze made me shiver.
'How long had I been zoned out?'
"S-Sir…" Vale said again, waving a hand in front of my face. Her innocent worry cut through my fear momentarily.
"Yes, Vale," I replied absently, not even registering her words. My throat felt dry, and the office seemed to shrink around me.
"You've been staring at the door for a while now. Are you alright?, do you need to see a doctor?" she asked, her brows furrowing in concern.
Before I could muster a response, Damian's mocking voice cut through the tension like a knife.
"Oh, I'm sure he needs more than a doctor right now," he drawled, his tone laced with feigned sympathy.
The condescension in his voice lit a spark of anger within me. I couldn't let him continue to humiliate me.
"Seraphine Vale!" I barked, slamming a hand on my desk for effect. The sound echoed sharply through the room. Vale flinched at the sudden change in tone, her wide eyes filled with shock and a twinge of fear. My heart clenched, but I had to press on for the sake of authority.
"Sir?" she replied weakly, bowing her head slightly in respect.
"Do you realize what you've done!?" I demanded, forcing my voice to harden.
She remained silent, her head still bowed. It hurt more than I could admit. Vale was my star student, I've never shouted at her, the kind of pupil every principal wished for.
Her actions today were so unlike her that I almost couldn't believe it, what she did really disappointed me it was unlike her. I wasn't as angry as I purchased to be. Yet here I was, berating her for something I barely understood.
"DO I HAVE TO REPEAT MYSELF?" My voice thundered through the room, louder than I intended, as I wanted to speak again, Vale's eyes squeezed shut, her trembling form making me hesitate. My words weren't just scaring her, they were angering Damian. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw him straighten, his sharp features tightening as if preparing to intervene. I instantly knew that I definitely had to lower my voice.
'Why do I care?, am I scared of him?' I thought, the realization unsettling.
I softened my tone but kept the facade of authority.
"Vale, I'm sorry, but you have to bring your parents to school. I'll have to dismiss you from this institution..." I paused, the words catching in my throat.
'I'm sorry but I have to do this'
Vale finally lifted her head, her tear-filled eyes pleading silently. The sight broke me inside, but I forced myself to continue.
She was scared that I might say what she thought I would, it teared me up to see her like that she was like a daughter to me but I think I have to let her go... Taking a deep breath I said...
"You…." I tried to not let my voice shake
will be… E-x-p-e-l-l-e-d." The word came out like a punch to my gut, heavy, slow and painful.
Vale's face crumbled, her disbelief and devastation apparent, she was broken and shocked she didn't expect it at all, and then slowing she clenched her fist and muttered
"I know you don't want to do this... I also know you don't hate me. Just like that I get expelled!, does it seem right to you?-.." she said almost in tears trying not to shout at me.
"No… this isn't fair," she continued, her voice trembling with anger and sorrow.
She sniffed and lowered back her head "Students have done worse, and all I did was hit her! Just that! You always said you stood for justice, but now you're letting money and influence dictate your decisions, you have no idea what she did to me but then you judged. This isn't right!" Her voice cracked as tears streamed down her cheeks.
"I don't care how you'll do this but it either both of us get expelled or no one does" she angrily sobbed
At that point I didn't know whether to play hard and decline or to accept her consequences
'What should I do?'
Before I could respond, I heard a voice from the other end of the room, he leaned against the wall with his arms crossed and lower leg on the wall obviously displeased with me.
Damian's voice rang out again, cold and calculated.
"I'd suggest you expel.....no one," he said, pushing off the wall and walking toward my desk with an air of authority that made my stomach churn.
"Because if you expel this girl in front of me.....I'll personally sue this school and.... probably get you arrested." he said folding his arms
"You can't, I didn't take money in return, I'm just doing this out of pure wil—" I began, my voice faltering.
"Shhh…" Damian held up a hand, silencing me with a smirk. "Never talk when I'm speaking.....You should know that...and also for the record."
He pulled out his phone and held it up. "See this?" Smirking, he said. Showing me an article. My mouth agape and my heart sank as I read the headline about the school being sued for illegal practices years ago.
"I'm sure you remember this," Damian continued. "And I'm sure you know how much it cost you to cover that up..... this so called school was sued for illegal entries 7 years ago..... and that was done by.... YOU, and I'm sure you know how much money you had to pay to get your school back....., sooo if I sue it again it will be permanently locked down.....this time no money will be able to get it back..... unless I decide to withdraw the case myself...." He paused
Vale turned to Damian, hope flickering in her tear-streaked face. Her gaze silently pleaded with him to keep fighting for her.
so....what do you think huh?" he finally said
"How did you know, H-how did you... When... Where...." I said I was very confused I had no choice now, curse my love for money ofcourse after Vale hit Brielle, her parents called to expell her or they'll sue the school I wasn't much afraid because I could buy it back so I declined.
But when they said they would pay me 45 million dollars for it I couldn't refuse since they could go to that extent for their daughter then I don't mind but all my act for respect just went in vain, I even got more disrespect not only from daiman but from Vale.
I was cornered. Out of shame and desperation, I muttered, "Vale, please show Damian to your class."
Damian smirked, clearly pleased. Vale quickly wiped her tears and led him out of the room, her steps lighter now that she'd been spared.
As the door closed behind them, I slumped into my chair, burying my face in my hands.
"She hates me now," I whispered to the empty office. "I've ruined everything."
~End of Mr Julon's POV~
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