She Became Rich After Divorce

Chapter 272: Starting At 8:30 AM And Finishing At 9:30 PM

Chapter 272: Starting at 8:30 AM and Finishing at 9:30 PM

From start to finish, she didn't get a chance to explain. Kate felt a surge of frustration building up inside her, and she needed to get it off her chest.

Another two minutes passed, and the principal, having finished his tea, finally looked at her. Why was Kate still standing in front of him?

His sparse, shallow eyebrows furrowed into a straight line, almost like a wriggling caterpillar, comically strange.

"Why haven't you left yet? Didn't I say you've been expelled from the school? Why are you still standing here?" © 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

Graeme, holding his books, couldn't help but clench his hands, his fair and handsome face showing a hint of wanting to plead for Kate.

Seeing this, Peyton's voice, dripping with sweet innocence, chimed in as she walked over to Kate with a fake smile.

"Kate, even though I'll miss you, the principal has no choice considering your actions. Why don't you reveal that it was Timothy with you that night? That way, you might still be able to continue your studies."

Peyton had two objectives by saying so: first, to remind Graeme that Kate, who claimed to like him, had been involved with a guy who was nowhere near his league, hoping to turn Graeme's affection into disdain for Kate. The other was to hint to the principal that the person with Kate that night was also a student, and it would be best to expel them both to avoid further trouble.

The principal indeed looked surprised, pointing a chubby finger at her, "You! What's your name again?"

Peyton felt a slight insult from the principal, who never seemed to remember her. In all the years, she had appeared in front of him at least ten times for various charity events or subsidies, as one of the few students from a humble background. Being the only female among them, she had always presented flowers to the generous donors.

Over these three years, she had taken part in countless public relations events like these. She believed the principal should at least remember her.

But she had overestimated herself. The principal seemed to only recall the sons of board members or the daughters of wealthy tycoons. Those with slightly less prestigious backgrounds were unworthy, let alone those nameless, hardworking, underprivileged students.

Although Peyton felt angry, she restrained herself. She was determined to secure the position of the Mathews family's young lady, making the principal regret his condescension toward her.

"Hello, Principal Shepard. My name is Peyton. I'm a junior majoring in Economics and Management."

"Oh, I see. So, what about this Timothy you mentioned? Call him to the principal's office, and I'll question both of you together."

A sly smile appeared on Peyton's fair and serene face, and Graeme happened to notice it. He felt a surge of mixed emotions suddenly.

Soon, Timothy entered the office. The principal glanced at him briefly and then withdrew his gaze. He had been in this position for many years and had encountered numerous students and parents. Who among them didn't flaunt designer brands?

Timothy wore clothes that could be bought for just a few dollars on the street, and his shoes were outdated. His large, poverty-stricken family background made him look average, around 5'7", thin, and inexperienced. He appeared quite timid, which irritated the principal.

"Are you Timothy?"

Timothy's clenched fists on his thighs relaxed, and he nodded, biting his lips before quickly raising his head to look at the principal. It was his first direct interaction with the principal, even though they had seen each other before during award ceremonies and photo sessions.

"Y-yes, I'm Timothy. Pr-principal Shepard, nice to meet you."

His extreme nervousness made his speech stuttered. Peyton, watching aside, couldn't help but sneer quietly.

With such timidity, did he dare to pursue her? Did he lose his self-awareness entirely?

"I asked you, have you read the news in the newspapers?"

"I did."

"Good. Both you and Kate have been expelled together. Don't come to school tomorrow. You can both leave. I'm about to finish work."

With an impatient wave of his hand, the principal slowly began to tidy up his desk.

Kate glanced at the wall clock. It was only 9:30 PM, and the principal was getting ready to leave? Was there any job in the world where you start at 8:30 AM and finish at 9:30 PM?

Timothy's face turned ashen at the principal's unexpected decision. He knelt on the ground, his voice pleading.

"No, Principal Shepard, please, I can't be expelled... In our village, I'm the only one who made it to college. My father has lung disease, and to support my education, he sells vegetables every day."

His father had said he was the pride of his life, and on the day he left for College, even the village chief had given him a hundred dollars and a pat on the back, saying, "Timothy, you're the first person from Onryx Village to enroll in a key college."

"Your father has toiled all his life and ended up sick, achieving nothing. But with a son like you, it's not bad."

"Now you're his pride and the pride of Onryx Village."

"You're the most educated and worldly person in our village. You have to study hard and contribute to our country in the future."

Those words still echoed in his ears. He was the pride of the village, his father's only spiritual support. If he were expelled now and returned in disgrace, how could he face his father?

Kate was right; he had no right to think about those fleeting romances. His impoverished life had brought him many constraints, and love with constraints was destined to be short-lived. Moreover, Peyton didn't love him; she was just using him.

Timothy's pleading didn't soften the principal's heart. He needed to do something, or else how could he justify this to the school and the board of directors?

"Alright, no need to kneel. What's done is done. Be a man, admit it."

"No, Principal Shepard, I didn't do it! I really didn't do it. That night, I was instigated by Peyton..."

Peyton hastily interrupted him with her tears welling up, slapping him across the face.

"Timothy, do you have no shame? Because you pursued me, and I rejected you, do you now want to take revenge on me?"

Her eyes welled with tears, making her appear as if she were the victim.