My name is Fiona Owens.
Because I love kids, I hid my true identity and became a teacher at the kindergarten my dad invested in.
On my first day at work, I got scolded by Liam's mom, Rylee Fuller.
She said, "Why are you letting the little girls in class wear skirts? Are you trying to make them seduce my son?"
"Why isn't there sea cucumber on today's menu? My son is malnourished, can you take responsibility for that?"
"Also, my son is a genius. He must be the class monitor! All the kids have to listen to him."
I've met all kinds of weirdos, but it's my first time seeing someone as crazy as her.
I rolled my eyes in anger and was about to argue back when a colleague pulled me aside.
She said, "Ms. Owens, don't act impulsively. Her husband is the richest man in Los Angeles."
"This kindergarten is funded by their family, we can't afford to offend them!"
I almost burst out laughing.
I thought, "Her husband is the richest man in Los Angeles? Then who is my husband?"
*****
I adjusted my breathing and calmly communicated with her, "Ms. Fuller, the girls are wearing the kindergarten uniforms, and besides, such young children wouldn't have the kind of improper thoughts you're suggesting."
She sneered, turned her head to size me up, and snorted coldly, "I'm a parent! What kind of attitude is this? Someone like you deserves to be a teacher? Get your principal out here!"
"And also, your kindergarten uniforms are not allowed to have skirts. Change them for me by tomorrow!"
Today is the school sports day, and the event is about to start.
But she blocked the door, leaving many children stuck inside.
Beside her, Liam was making faces at us, looking smug.
My colleague Maria Reid noticed my expression and quickly grabbed my hand, whispering, "Ms. Owens, don't act impulsively. She's the wife of Nolan Garrett, the richest man in Los Angeles. We can't afford to offend her."
Her husband is Nolan?
Then who is my husband?
I quickly pulled up the class records, and her spouse's column was indeed marked confidential.
Then how did this person get in?
Since she can be so arrogant, she must have someone backing her up.
I suddenly got curious and wanted to know who’s backing her up!
Seeing I didn’t respond, she snorted coldly with her nose up, "That's more like it! Let me tell you, I’m very dissatisfied with you. When I get back, I’ll tell my husband to fire you!"
I didn’t respond, just smiled faintly.
The surrounding parents were full of resentment toward her, but out of courtesy, they just shot her a cold glance.
The school sports day began in a hurry.
After Principal Iris Elliott finished the opening speech, it was the student representative's turn to speak.
The student had just started to introduce themselves when Rylee suddenly slammed the table, stood up, and angrily pointed at the stage, shouting, "Why isn’t my son the student representative?"
"Who did you choose? Believe it or not, I can get all of you fired with one call!"
In an instant, all the parents turned to look at her, frowning in unison.
I was closest to her and lowered my voice, trying to maintain order. "Ms. Fuller, Liam is a freshman. The student representative has always been chosen from the graduating class. He can have a chance to speak when he's older."
She got furious. "What do you mean freshmen can't go up? This is discrimination!"
"What's wrong with you as a teacher? Do you even know how to teach? If not, get out right now!"
Her flailing and aggressive demeanor left me momentarily stunned.
The children were waiting for the school sports day to begin, and the parents were all watching me.
I tried to keep a smile. "Ms. Fuller, that's a bit too much."
"The school sports day is about to start."
She suddenly stood up and shoved Liam in front of me. "Today, my son must go on stage to give a speech! Otherwise, you'll face the consequences!"
Liam immediately mimicked her, hands on his hips, chest out, and shouted at me with his head held high, "I want to go on stage! My mom said I'm the best! I want to speak too!"
I finally lost my patience and stopped him with my hand. "No! These are the rules!"
But I never expected Rylee to suddenly raise her hand and slap me hard.
She said, "You're just a teacher, what gives you the right to tell me no?"
"Rules? Let me tell you, my words are the rules!"