before we get started that the board and I won’t hesitate to dismiss anyone who acts in a less than appropriate manner. What the board wants to hear is serious complaints about the professional decisions Ms. Shaw has made and how you think they have negatively impacted the student body. Please, no interruption from those waiting to talk.”
My respect for Henry grew. If he could keep the meeting on track, then maybe I wouldn’t be so figuratively bruised and battered by the time I got home.
Dresden’s dad leaned across the table, his tweed suit coat stretching over his shoulders. “My son has experienced a personal, targeted attack from Ms. Shaw. He’s had to do detention, now he’s been suspended, and after he’s contributed his time morning and night to bring the Preston Knights another trophy.”
I was running through ways of addressing the accusations without dragging Dresden and Jaycee’s dirty laundry out in front of people who didn’t know the situation when Claudia spoke.
“Would you mind telling us why you feel it’s personal? Ms. Shaw has provided the necessary documentation and proof that her actions were warranted.”
Mr. Wentworth’s upper lip curled and his dark gaze pierced her. “Because she’s dating the father of the girl she said Dresden allegedly skipped with.”
Ice crystals formed in my veins. Had he really waved my personal life around? I didn’t have to wonder how he knew. Jaycee must’ve either let it slip or she had gleefully spread the news after the breakup.
The heads of all five members of the board swiveled to face me. I looked down the length of the table, my gaze steady. Show no fear. It might be one of Valaria’s mottos, but it worked here. Pretend I’d done nothing wrong even if I felt differently.
“Like Claudia said, I documented the reasons behind my decisions for your son’s disciplinary measures, and while I won’t go into specifics about another student, I will add that the girl you referenced also faced consequences for her role in the tardiness and skipping.”
Mr. Wentworth’s cheeks deepened to a red, highlighting what was the main problem in my opinion. The man wasn’t told no very often. Between his bank account, his size, the consulting company he owned, and even the solid dose of charm guys like him were born with, he was a man people wanted to please.
The woman I suspected was Nana lifted her hand almost like she was going to request to speak.
Henry lifted his chin to her. Mr. Wentworth eased back into his chair, but we weren’t done hearing from him. His body language was too tense, and his wife was shooting him “fix this” daggers in her gaze.
Nana’s hand went to her chest. She wore a crisp lilac pantsuit with a taupe shawl draped across her neck, and her no-nonsense expression said she could probably go toe to toe with Mr. Wentworth if they weren’t on the same side.
“That girl,” the woman said, her voice firmer than she looked, “is my granddaughter, who was expelled after my granddaughter’s father broke up with Ms. Shaw.” Venom dripped from my name.
My face burned. My personal life was getting thrown around and the meeting was going worse than I’d imagined.
A stifled sigh escaped Henry and I could almost hear him mentally yelling, “You could’ve warned me.”
On the bright side, I only had to experience the humiliation of the big reveal of my privacy once.
“The two are exclusive,” I said. Truly, one didn’t have to do with the other. “Ms. Richards?” The woman nodded. “I can also provide proper documentation and evidence that would back up my decision, along with citing the relevant Preston Academy policies regarding student punishments. However, I can only discuss school-related material with you. Anything regarding the student in question can only be discussed with her guardian, which to my knowledge is not you.”
Ms. Richards recoiled. The hit was below the belt and I knew it, but I got enough shit from parents and guardians. Entitled grandparents were not on my list of people I had to put up with. I chanced a glance at Chris.
His eyes had closed and his mouth was flat. Damn. I’d made it worse for him.
Mr. Richards put an arm around his wife. His graying hair was smartly styled like Chris’s, but he won the most casually dressed award in the room. The man would blend well on a golf course with his gray slacks and white polo.
“We paid Jaycee’s tuition. We’re invested in her education—she’s a third-generation