Chapter 4I Resigned From My Steady Job

So when persuasion failed, he moved on to threats?

I knew exactly what was going on.

Many students had come to Class One because of my reputation for producing top SAT scorers. Their parents had paid hefty “donations” to secure them a place.

Since they thought I was disposable, I would show them what happened when I left.

I wanted to see how happy those students and parents would be once Class One lost the teacher they had come for.

Kelly and I agreed that I would start in three days. With the SAT so close, I was able to negotiate an annual salary that was almost hard to believe.

The next evening, a message in the staff chat told everyone to attend a dinner.

They called it a dinner, but it was an old school tradition meant to rally the teachers working with the seniors before the SAT.

Jack stood onstage with a drink in his hand and a broad smile on his face. He held up a stack of bonus checks.

“To thank everyone teaching our seniors for all your hard work, the school has set aside a special bonus fund. You’ve done a wonderful job! Keep it up, and let’s help these kids get into the best universities in the country!”

I sat in the audience without a trace of expression. Around me, the other teachers watched the checks eagerly.

“Mr. Teran from Class Three. A $2,000 bonus!”

“Ms. Whitney from Class Four, $4,000!”

“Now, Ms. Rae from Class Seven, since Ms. Rae will be moving to our most demanding class, Class One, next week, the school has approved a special $8,000 bonus for her!”

The room fell silent as soon as Jack finished speaking.

I could feel people stealing glances at me from every direction.

Anyone could see that the class switch was just for show.

They were letting Monica swoop in and take credit for the results I had spent the year working toward.

Soon, Jack had only one bonus envelope left in his hand.

“Ms. Cruz from Class One! Our school’s star teacher! Let’s give her a round of applause!”

The room burst into applause.

I walked onto the stage with a blank expression.

Since our last meeting, Jack had pressed me for an answer several times. I had yet to give him one. I knew he was going to pull something.

Sure enough, he opened the last envelope in front of everyone, pulled out a sheet of paper, and handed it to me.

Then, he raised the microphone with a smile.

“Ms. Cruz, congratulations on being named our star teacher yet again!”

His voice carried across the room.

“As an example to all our teachers, the school has decided to give you a special opportunity. Here’s the bill for tonight’s staff dinner!”

He paused, then smiled at me again.

“I hope you appreciate the opportunity. You’ve been teaching long enough to know there’s no need to keep sulking over a title. You wouldn’t want to burn bridges in this profession, would you?”

I met his pointed gaze and felt a chill run through me.

He was doing that on purpose.

He wanted to see whether I would swallow the insult in front of everyone, just as I always had.

I knew what would happen if I did: I would be at the bottom of the pecking order at that school.

Anyone could walk all over me.

I could feel every eye on me. My skin prickled under their stares.

I reached out and took the bill.

“Thank you for the opportunity, Mr. Corvin!”

Ignoring his smug smile, I walked off the stage under everyone’s gaze, went straight to the operations director, and pressed the bill into his hand.

“Unfortunately, I’ve submitted my resignation. To be precise, it takes effect on Monday. So, I’ll leave this wonderful opportunity to the school. Thank you all for taking such good care of me over the years. I wish you the best!”

The whole room stared at me, stunned.