Chapter 69
Chapter 69
“James, I brought your file.” A deep voice rang out.
Everyone tumed their heads.
Seeing Desmond arrive with a group of people, James stiffened in fear. This time, Desmond had brought quite a crowd to Summit Academy.
Realizing the severity of the situation, James quickly stepped forward to greet him. “Mr. White, what an unexpected honor! What brings you here today?”
James reached out for a handshake, but what Desmond placed in his hand was a brown envelope.
James glanced down at it, and his name was printed on the front. He asked, “Mr. White, this is.
Desmond’s voice was firm. “Take your file and get out of Summit Academy.”
James‘ hands trembled, and the file slipped from his grip, falling to the ground. Even his legs wobbled, struggling to keep him standing.
“Mr. White… What did I do wrong…‘
James‘ gaze darted toward Elara as he hurried to explain, “If this is about Bambi Fisher’s withdrawal, it’s all a misunderstanding! I already lowered myself and personally invited her back!”
Desmond tilted his chin slightly. “Open your file and take a look at what’s inside.”
James fumbled with the string on the envelope, pulling out the papers inside. The moment his eyes scanned the contents, they widened in shock.
Right at the top of the stack was a transcript of his conversation with Ethel from the night before. Every word they had exchanged had been recorded.
At that moment, a thin piece of paper floated to the ground. James recognized it instantly–a check. His legs gave out entirely, and he collapsed onto his knees with a dull thud.
The reporters at the school gate, sensing something big, immediately turned their cameras toward the scattered documents on the ground.
“Mr. Osborne was wiretapped! Could this be evidence of misconduct?”
Desmond spoke, his voice cutting through the crowd. “James, take a good look at those invoices documenting your kickbacks over the years. Do you acknowledge them?
“You conspired with Madam Fisher to push out other board members, and you expelled students at will under her orders. I’m not just here to fire you–I’m here to lead the Office of Compliance and Ethics straight to you.
“They won’t let a single corrupt figure in the education system slip through their grasp!”
James slumped further, completely drained of strength. He turned to Elara in desperation.
“It was Madam Fisher! She told me to expel Bambi! She’s done a lot for me–I was just following orders…”
Elara remained unmoved. “Apologize to my daughter.”
James, still on his knees, began banging his head against the pavement in front of Merida and Elara.
“I was wrong! I never should have listened to Madam Fisher…”
Chapterco
Elara’s expression was indifferent James‘ sudden change of attitude was nothing more than a performance for the media.
Did he think acting remorseful in front of the cameras would earn him any leniency?
He kept bringing up Ethel, trying to drag her down with him. This was about to turn into a dog–eat–dog spectacle.
Elara’s eyes simply turned cold.
She told Merida, “When someone apologizes to you, you are not obligated to forgive them. Some people don’t truly regret their actions; they’re just trying to save themselves,
“Apologizing is what he should do. Whether he is forgiven depends on the price he is willing to pay for his mistakes.”
Desmond, visibly annoyed by James‘ pitiful act, finally spoke up. “Go confess to the compliance officers instead.” Two uniformed officers stepped forward, grabbing James by the arms and dragging him away.
Some reporters weren’t ready to let him go so easily. Their cameras zoomed in on his ashen face as they fired off questions.
“Mr. Osborne! Exactly how much in bribes did you take?”
“Mr. Osborne, what other private deals did you have with Madam Fisher?”
Amidst the chaos, Elara remained still, her gaze meeting Desmond’s. They had crossed paths before, but they hadn’t spoken until now.
