Principal's Office – Later That Day
The air was heavier inside the principal's office than it had been on the bloodstained rooftop.
Ethan entered calmly, a thin white bandage peeking out from under his sleeve. Standing beside him was the same teacher who had taken him to the university clinic, now pale and silent.
Seated on the leather couch across the room were Axel's parents.
Mrs. Crowne had the kind of face that looked like a makeup tutorial gone wrong—overly contoured cheeks, sharp eyeliner wings that could slice metal, and fake lashes so thick they cast shadows. Her jewelry jingled with every movement, and her leopard-print coat looked like it came from a discount villain store.
Mr. Crowne, on the other hand, resembled a sun-dried raisin in a three-piece suit. His receding hairline was hidden under a glossy toupee that shifted every time he turned his head. He didn't speak yet—just narrowed his beady eyes.
The nameplate on the desk read: Principal Kudo. He sat stiffly, dabbing his forehead with a tissue.
The Crowne family was infamous. Their corporation—CROWNE TECH INDUSTRIES—was a shadow giant: investments in surveillance, defense contracts, and offshore manufacturing. Whispers of corruption followed them everywhere, but so did money. And money made problems disappear.
Their Tagline: "Your life, our watch."
Funny, considering their own son needed protection from a single student.
Principal Kudo forced a smile. "Let's get to the matter. Ethan, please tell us what happened."
Before Ethan could open his mouth, Mrs. Crowne snapped, "Why are you asking HIM?! He should be in handcuffs, not in a school office!"
Mr. Crowne winced. "Carla, let him speak."
Principal Kudo raised his palms in an attempt to calm her. "Mrs. Crowne, I understand your concern, but protocol requires—"
"Protocol?! He tried to murder my son! Axel—my poor Axel—can't even move one arm! Lucien is in the hospital with internal bleeding," she barked.
Ethan said nothing.
Principal Kudo swallowed his fear. Internally, he was already weighing the risks. Ethan's connected to the chairman's granddaughter. He also saved the school during the teacher scandal… If I go too far, it could backfire.
Ethan finally spoke, his tone even. "Axel wanted to meet me on the rooftop. When I got there, he was with Lucien and Rei. It was supposed to be a talk."
He glanced at the principal.
"Axel attacked me first. I defended myself. Then Lucien joined in. They wanted to teach me a 'lesson.' I kept defending until Rei joined the fight too. Somewhere during the chaos… Axel pulled out a blade. If I hadn't dodged in time, I'd be dead."
"Lies!" Mrs. Crowne stood up, pointing a heavily ringed finger. "You're a thug! You manipulated them into that rooftop! You wanted to cripple them!"
"You've ruined my son's future!" she continued. "Do you think we'll let you stay in this school after this? You're finished, boy!"
Mr. Crowne spoke for the first time. "Principal Kudo, I don't need to tell you what happens next if this student isn't expelled. Consider the reputation of the school. Our foundation funds one-third of the tech budget here."
The teacher next to Ethan lowered his head. It's over for him, he thought. Money wins again.
Mrs. Crowne crossed her legs, smug now. "Even the chairman would bow to us if he knew what was good for him."
Mr. Crowne shot her a sideways glance. "Carla, that's enough."
The door creaked.
Everyone turned.
Chairman Carter entered, his walking cane tapping softly against the tiled floor. Beside him, Jasmine stood like a frozen blade. Cold eyes, silent steps.
"I heard someone was calling for me to bow?" Chairman Carter asked lightly, stepping in.
Mrs. Crowne froze. Her eyes widened slightly, but she held her chin high.
"I'm just stating facts. My husband and I—"
"You've stated too many," Mr. Crowne muttered under his breath.
Chairman Raven didn't smile.
"Please, Mr. Crowne," he gestured. "Let's speak like civilized men."
Mr. Crowne stood, walked to him, and leaned in.
"I'll fund anything. Your next initiative. Your school board expansion. Whatever you want. But let the boy go. Just expel him. Quietly."
Chairman Raven's eyes narrowed slightly. "You're offering a bribe?"
"No. A gesture of goodwill. I only want what's best for both our reputations."
Before Carter could respond—
The office door burst open again.
A woman rushed in, hair disheveled, eyes wide. Behind her, a tired man in a worn suit followed.
"Ethan!" his mother shouted, running to him.
"Are you hurt?" she cupped his cheeks, checking his bruises. "Did they hurt you?!"
Ethan's father placed a firm hand on his shoulder. "You okay, son?"
"I'm fine."
Mrs. Crowne scoffed from the couch. "Ah, the peasant family arrives."
Ethan's mother turned.
She walked straight up to Carla Crowne.
Then paused, taking a long look.
"Is that your real face?" she asked, blinking.
Carla's eyes flared. "Excuse me?!"
"Sorry," Ethan's mother said sweetly. "Your contour lines are fighting for territory. And your lipstick looks like you kissed a tomato blender."
Carla shot up. "How dare—"
"Oh, I'm sorry. I thought this was a costume party. But then again, even clowns blend better."
The teacher tried not to laugh. The principal failed to hide his smile.
Jasmine whispered to Ethan, grinning, "Your mom's terrifying."
"I know," Ethan said proudly.
"Next time you talk about hurting my son," she snapped, eyes now cold, "bring your real face and your real morals. Not both bought from a mall clearance sale."
Carla sat back down in stunned silence.
Mr. Crowne coughed awkwardly.
Chairman Carter took a breath.
"Well then," he said. "Let's talk, Mr. Crowne, while your wife reflects on the danger of speaking before thinking"