I Rejected Being The Investor's Mistress

Just before the school day ended, Evelyn Howard got an unexpected call to a meeting. As she entered the room, she immediately felt something was off. Her colleagues shot her occasional glances, filled with a sense of anticipation, like they were waiting for a storm to hit.

Evelyn sat near the door, placing her lesson plans on her lap, eyes down to avoid meeting anyone's gaze. At the head of the table, Ms. Chen wore a stern expression, all business. Once everyone was seated, she cleared her throat and surveyed the room, her eyes finally resting on Evelyn.

"We've convened this meeting to address an issue that needs to be handled openly," Ms. Chen began, pausing for effect. "Evelyn, this afternoon, were you involved in an incident with a student in the office, causing them to cry?"

Evelyn looked up, her voice calm yet steady, "I wasn't."

Ms. Chen frowned. "There have been complaints that your personal matters are affecting your teaching, and that there was a conflict with a colleague in front of students. Even as a private institution, Westfield International School holds student welfare as paramount. Such behavior isn’t acceptable."

Evelyn got it instantly—someone had complained about her. She laid her lesson plans aside but kept her cool. "Actually, today in the office, some colleagues were gossiping about me. Clover Scott, a student, overheard and stood up for me. There was no disturbance in the teaching environment."

"Are you still denying it?" a sharp voice interrupted. It was Penny Silva. "Evelyn, don’t you feel guilty saying that? Cozying up to Clover's family, acting all friendly with her at the classroom door. What about the other students seeing your favoritism?"

"Enough!" Evelyn stood up, her gaze icy. "You all were gossiping in the office, and a seven-year-old heard your nasty comments—and you dare blame me?"

"Evelyn Howard, I've let things slide before, but my patience isn't infinite. Do you even know why I comforted Clover, or why she was upset?"

Penny was startled by Evelyn's anger, momentarily speechless. The room was thick with awkwardness—people busied themselves with their notebooks or found the ceiling suddenly interesting.

Regaining her composure, Penny retorted, "We’re discussing your bias toward students, Evelyn. Why bring up other issues? Isn’t it true what we’re saying about your actions? Are you completely unaware of what you’ve done?"

"I truly have no idea," Evelyn replied with a wry smile. "Could you enlighten me on these supposed actions?"

Frustrated by Evelyn's attitude, Penny crossed her arms with a smirk, "The internet’s full of rumors about you. The school hasn’t acted yet, so you’re lucky. And you still ask what you've done?"

Evelyn clenched her fists, meeting Penny’s gaze with determination. "If you keep spreading lies, I’ll take you down with my words."

Penny instinctively shrank back, then, realizing her embarrassment, her voice turned sharper, "Oh, now you’re threatening me? Everyone heard that, right? Some people are unhappy about my potential promotion—now they’re threatening me to disrupt my teaching. How can I work peacefully?"

A voice interjected, aiming to calm the situation. "Evelyn, maybe that wasn’t the best move. Perhaps a written apology to Penny would be wise."

"Yeah, just apologize. We’re all colleagues; let’s not waste time."

"Escalating this won’t do you any good."

Evelyn looked at them, feeling an overwhelming sense of irony. They all knew the truth, the real story behind the rumors, and Penny’s deceit. Yet none cared; they just wanted to be on the perceived "right" side.

In that moment, Evelyn found it utterly absurd. She slowly rose, her gaze sweeping over everyone present.

"Why should I apologize?" Her voice was soft, yet it commanded attention. "Because you got caught gossiping? Or because I defended myself in front of a child?"

She turned back to Penny. "Penny Silva, do you truly think you’ve reached your position without any dirty tricks? Don’t treat everyone else like fools."

Penny's face turned bright red in sudden embarrassment.

The principal, Mr. Tucker Lee, suddenly banged the table to restore order. "What’s all this racket? You’re educators, act like it!"

His stern gaze landed on Evelyn. "Ms. Howard, ultimately, your actions have caused widespread dissatisfaction. Let’s not drag this out, just apologize and make peace so we can all work in harmony."

Evelyn met his eyes. "Principal, do you honestly believe this is my fault?"

Mr. Lee's expression was unreadable for a moment. Then, he sighed and said, "Evelyn, with your current attitude, you’re not suitable to continue teaching. If you refuse to apologize, I have no choice but to place you on temporary leave."

He averted his gaze, "Westfield values hard work and fair reward. While you’re on leave, your salary will naturally be on hold."

Evelyn gripped her hands tighter, feeling the gravity of her situation. The truth was, her suspension was just a convenient way for the school to avoid crossing Owen Morgan, a major shareholder linked to the private institution.

But what could she do? Her sister was still in the hospital, and the medical bills piled up astronomically each month. She couldn't afford to lose her job.

Taking a deep breath, she was about to speak when—

"Who’s talking about suspending Ms. Howard?"

The door to the meeting room swung open, and everyone turned to look.

Principal Lee stood there, and the room fell silent in surprise as he entered. "Principal Lee? What brings you here?" Ms. Chen stammered, caught off guard.

Ignoring her, Principal Lee walked into the room and placed some documents on the table. "Ms. Chen, before you discuss suspending Ms. Howard, you might want to look at this."

A flicker of panic crossed Ms. Chen's face. "Principal, what is this..."

He fixed her with a sharp look. "It’s the surveillance footage from the office this afternoon. Ms. Chen, did you verify the situation when you received a complaint?"

"You didn’t," Mr. Lee answered for her. "You immediately called a meeting to address Evelyn."

He closed the folder, his voice turning cold. "Ms. Chen, have you forgotten Westfield’s guiding principles? Prejudice and injustice in decision-making—looks like I need to reevaluate your position as head of the grade."

Ms. Chen opened her mouth to protest, but no words came out. Normally, Mr. Lee was too busy to get involved with school matters. Why was he suddenly here, supporting Evelyn Howard?

Dismissing her, Principal Lee turned to Penny. "Penny Silva, in your four years here, your teaching capabilities have been average at best, but you seem adept at office politics. Starting today, your promotion is on hold, and you’re disqualified from any awards this semester. If I hear about your gossiping again, you’re out."

Penny’s face turned ashen, her confidence thoroughly deflated. "Principal, I..."

He cut her off with a wave of his hand, his gaze stern. "I’m not interested in your excuses. Apologize to Ms. Howard now."

Reluctantly, Penny’s voice, now barely above a whisper, offered, "Ms. Howard, I apologize..."

Ms. Chen also bowed her head, swallowing her pride. "Ms. Howard, I didn’t verify the details... I'm sorry."

Evelyn stood there, having waited a long time to hear these words. Yet, as they reached her ears, there was no sense of triumph, only an inexplicable weariness.

Seeing Evelyn's silence, Principal Lee dismissed the meeting. "Alright, that's enough. Meeting adjourned."

Afterward, the others trickled out of the room, casting careful glances as they passed. Principal Lee approached Evelyn with a kind smile, "Ms. Howard, I apologize for the trouble you went through today."

"No need, thank you," Evelyn replied, genuine gratitude in her voice.

Principal Lee waved off her thanks. "No need to thank me. I was just following instructions. Someone is still waiting for you outside."

Following instructions? Evelyn felt a flutter of suspicion but managed a nod of thanks, quickly leaving the administration building.

As she reached the front doors, her pace slowed. By a pillar stood a man, clad in a black coat, the fading light of evening casting a soft glow over his silhouette.

He appeared lost in thought, yet there was a palpable presence as he waited. At the sound of her footsteps, he looked up, and their eyes met.

Her heart skipped a beat. It was him—Everett Scott.