Reborn at Eighteen The Billionaire's Second Chance novel Chapter 78

Chapter 78

Elara

“But they said the notice said you failed to supervise me properly-”

“The notice said what it needed to say to make this legal.” Her voice

was steady. Matter–of–fact. “That’s how institutional power works.

They can’t fire me for no reason–there are employment laws, union

rules. So they create a reason. They make it my fault for not

controlling my student’s behavior.”

She pulled one of the papers from the stack and slid it toward me.

“This came with the suspension notice.”

I read it. A list of “warning signs” I’d supposedly displayed.

“Increasing social isolation.” “Conflict with peers.” “Fixation on

perceived injustices.” “Unstable emotional responses.”

“They’re saying I should have reported you to the counseling office,”

Ms. Rivera said. “That I should have flagged you as a student at risk of

‘disruptive behavior.‘ That I failed in my duty of care.”

“But that’s” I couldn’t finish. My throat was too tight.

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Chapter 78

“That’s a lie. Yes.” She took the paper back. “But it’s a lie that serves a

purpose. It gives them grounds to remove me. And it sends a message

to every other teacher: if your students cause problems for powerful

families, you will be held responsible.”

I looked down at my hands. They were gripping the edge of the table

now, knuckles white.

“I don’t understand,” I said. My voice came out small. “Why would

they go this far? You didn’t do anything. You weren’t even at the

lecture.”

Ms. Rivera was quiet for a moment. Then she stood and walked to the

window.

“Elara, do you know how many board seats the Vane family controls at

St. Valerius?”

I shook my

head.

“Three. Out of seven.” She turned to face me. “Mr. Harrington is Julian Vane’s godfather. Mrs. Montgomery’s husband is VP of Operations at Vane Group. Mr. Chen’s company’s largest client is Vane Group. Do you understand what that means?”

“They control the school.”

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“They don’t just control it. They own it. In every way that matters.”

She leaned against the windowsill. “And when you stood up at that

lecture and challenged Sloane Kennedy–Julian Vane’s girlfriend–in front of reporters and donors, you didn’t just embarrass her. You challenged the entire power structure that protects families like

hers.”

She crossed her arms. “So they’re doing what power always does when challenged. They’re making an example. Of you. Of me. Of anyone who helped you or believed you. To show what happens when people

step out of line.”

I felt cold. Very cold, even though the room was warm.

“But you didn’t help me,” I said. “Not with the lecture. You didn’t know I was going to do that.”

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