Preston student. While we may not be her official guardians yet, we are heavily invested in her education.”
I winced. Chris cut a glare in the direction of the Richards. How could a good dad lose his daughter?
Henry cleared his throat. “When the paperwork is official, we’ll be happy to discuss your granddaughter’s return with you.”
My eyes widened and I swiveled to look at Henry. Chris was in the room and these people were talking about his daughter’s future like he was insignificant. None of them knew Jaycee like her own father.
Henry had my documentation of the incidents, but he didn’t know Jaycee. Coming back here would be a move backward for her development. She might mentally shut down, act out again, maybe let another boy use her emotions to his benefit.
Claudia blinked at Henry, her gaze shifting to Chris. Murdock did the same. They didn’t know the lack of power Chris faced. Maybe they assumed he was giving up on his daughter like her mom had.
Henry returned my stunned gaze with a hard stare. He wasn’t my ally. He wasn’t Jaycee’s either. The big picture for the academy was his focus, and the Richards were regular donors.
Chris’s voice caught my attention. He was sitting straight, his hands folded on the table, looking like he ruled the boardroom. I could envision him on a poster that wouldn’t have to say “vote for me” because I’d want to anyway based off the picture he presented.
“Two days after Jaycee was kicked out”—he briefly met my gaze, then looked each board member in the eyes—“she started at the high school in our school district. The transition hasn’t been easy, but her excitement and optimism every day has been enough to tell me we’re on the right track. No matter what her mother and I decide, I don’t think Jaycee returning to Preston is in her best interest.”
Mr. Richards’s face flushed red. “You’re coming to Ms. Shaw’s defense even now?”
“I’m here for Jaycee.”
Mrs. Richards’s words were low, but they carried across the room. “Not when we’re done with you. A comic book shop owner is not raising our granddaughter.”
My back hit my chair. They were going to yank a girl from her father because of this fucking school? A place that made no apologies for failing her? Jaycee couldn’t even leave now that she’d refused to conform to Preston’s mentality.
Perhaps Jaycee still had a way out.
I had never gotten the opportunity to attend a different school. All along, I’d kept my private life and my personal one strictly separate. Why? I wanted to have a life, period. But I’d been trained like one of my parents’ staff to do their bidding, to think pleasing them equated with love and acceptance. All of it done under the guise of professionalism and leadership.
I spoke before I could think about what I was doing. “You’re right. I did let my relationship with Mr. Halliwell affect how I treated Jaycee.” Mrs. Richards’s eyes narrowed like she was looking for the catch. “Instead of suspending her and sending her out of my office, per Preston policy, I did something I don’t normally do with students—I listened.”
A faint smile graced Chris’s mouth, giving me the motivation to keep going.
“And you see, I think that’s what this school has been failing at. I think that’s the root cause of the problems that prompt someone like me to come here in the first place.”
Coach Samuelson snorted. “Aren’t you here because you’re the owner’s daughter?”
The room went silent.
“I’m here because my father wanted me to take over for him, and I’ve kept my ties to the school quiet because I knew any progress I made would be undermined by being ‘just the boss’s daughter.’ Of course, any mistakes would result in the same accusations. Kinda like how dating Chris was tossed into this discussion.”
“For good reason,” Mr. Wentworth said. “But I don’t see what that has to do with letting the kids run the place.”
Chris jumped in before I could. “Listening to kids and letting them have free rein are two different things. Jaycee wasn’t happy here and Natalia asked her why.”
I couldn’t flinch at his informality. Him not calling me Ms. Shaw was a victory. “This educational system was designed around what a specific set of parents wanted for their kids—decades ago. I’ve never stopped to ask what the kids thought they needed to prepare for adulthood. They’re the ones associating with other kids who’ve had more exposure to what’s available beyond Preston.