Chapter 91


    Principal Fletcher hadn’t specified who it was. But since he made a point of bringing the matter to her


    attention, Jocelyn couldn’t shake the feeling that it involved a certain someone.


    She tried to push the thought out of her mind, heading over to her parents’ ce for dinner, only to


    overhear her dad saying, “My boss has been swampedtely. I heard he’s looking to take over some


    company. Rumor has it that the owner of thatpany did a number on his girlfriend, so now he’s


    getting even”


    Jocelyn’s forkful of green beans ttered onto the table.


    Jocelyn, what’s wrong with you?” Daisy eyed her curiously. “You seem absent-minded.”


    Jocelyn shook her head quickly, “Nothing”


    That Mr. Martinez is quite the character for his age, quite the savvy businessman indeed, Daisy mused.


    “Being his girlfriend must be something Isn’t his girlfriend that actress?”


    Calvin hissed through his teeth and shook his head, “It’s all a bit confusing now. People say Willow is


    his girlfriend, but ever since that incident, he hasn’t let her set foot in hispany again.”


    Then they’re probably not together anymore,” Daisy spected with curiosity. “Maybe he’s got another


    girlfriend on the side? These rich folks, how many of them stay true to one?”


    ‘I don’t know,” Calvin replied, serving Daisy some more food. “Mr. Martinez is young and sessful,


    not to mention handsome. He’s


    bound to have a lot of admirers.”


    Daisy nodded, “Yeah, rich and handsome men are often yers.”


    Calvin disagreed, “Not all men are like that.”


    “Still, that Mr. Martinez doesn’t strike me as the faithful type,” Daisy continued. “If he were to be our


    son-inw, I’d be worried he wouldn’t


    stay put


    “Wishful thinking” Calvin chuckled “Folks from those circles are bound to look for a match within their


    own social standing. Let me tell you, the wealthier they are, the pickier they get. Our family, well… we


    don’t make the cut.”


    Listening to her parents casual conversation, Jocelyn couldn’t help but feel that their words painted a


    stark reality of her own situation


    with Melvin.


    Once home, she did a bit of digging on Vance’s Corporation and, sure enough, found news about the


    takeover and reports of Vance’s bribery, tax evasion, and subsequent investigations.


    It’s clear that Vance was headed for a downfall.


    Though there was a process to it, the oue was bound to be grim.


    Leaning against her bed,ptop open before her, Jocelyn thought back to Melvin’s words about not


    giving her another chance.


    If that was the case why bother with all these?


    She wasn’t about to thank him.


    It’s Friday.


    As soon as Jocelyn’s ss was over, she left immediately. Making her way from the teaching building


    to the administration block, she caught sight of Principal Fletcher and some school leaders touring the


    campus with Melvin and his entourage, including Yara and Zephyr.


    She shot them a nce before steering clear, intent on ignoring the whole scene.


    “Jocelyn, Principal Fletcher suddenly called after her


    Halting in her tracks, her heart tightened. She had no choice but to turn around and face them. Nodding


    politely, she greeted, “HL”


    She didn’t even let her peripheral vision drift towards Melvin.


    Jocelyn, join us for lunch, will you? We’ll be in the cafeteria. Mr. Martinez wants to try the school dining.


    Principa! Fletcher invited warmly


    The refusal was on the tip of her tongue, but with all eyes on her, declining would be a faux pas.


    Sure. Til just stop by my office first and join youter.”


    “Alight


    Jocelyn turned and left. But her steps were neavier than usual, feeling like walking through quicksand.


    les ponner had she stepped into her office than Urs breezed in behind her:


    “Jocelyn, I saw him!” Urs leaned over her desk, her voice hushed but tinged with excitement.


    Jocelyn calmly tidied her desk, “Yeah.”


    ‘Did he donate the academic building because of you?” Urs was all gossip.


    ‘No, Jocelyn replied firmly. “People like him weigh every penny they spend. Besides, he and I really


    have nothing to do with each other


    anymore.”


    Urs seemed to ept her seriousness, “So, it’s really over?”


    “It’s over.”


    Ursuls sighed, a hint of pity in her voice. “You two looked like a match made in heaven. Even if one’s as


    gentle as a stream and the other as cold as ice, you stillplemented each other perfectly


    Jocelyn offered a faint smile, “Appearances can be deceiving. Like an apple that looks great on the


    outside but has a rotten core.”


    “Whatever, Urs shrugged, patting her shoulder. The old has to go before the new cane.


    Besides, that Harrison guy isn’t bad, I think you two might hit it off.


    Checking the clock, Jocelyn stood up. It was time to head to the cafeteria.


    “I’ve got my hands full with the senior ss this year. I’ll focus on teaching and let everything else fall


    into ce naturally. Off to the cafeteria, then


    “Right. Urs nodded, tilting her head thoughtfully. “Wait, let’s go together.”


    In the small cafeteria, about a dozen people were seated at two long tables pushed together, each with


    their own tray of food.


    Jocelyn took a seat on the edge, poking at her rice and only half-listening to the chatter.


    Melvin’s visit was a genuine inspection, offering high praise for the school’s facilities, sports grounds,


    and equipment. He recognized the school’s contribution to sending students into top high schools each


    year.


    The school’s direct admission rates were also among the highest in its league.


    While the education authority valued such institutions, thepetition across all sectors had intensified


    in recent years. The school expenses had soared, which made finances a constant concern.


    Many schools were expanding through donations- teaching buildings, libraries, sports facilities, and so


    on.


    Education was certainly a priority, with students being the nation’s future and vital for its development.


    Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org.


    Yet, significant donations like Melvin’s were notmon in the business world, where cost and return


    were always calcted in the first ce. After all, how many of them were willing to invest without the


    prospect of a return?


    “This year, Jocelyns taking the senior ss, Principal Fletcher mentioned out of the blue, “I remember


    her first year here, when she was also in charge of the seniors. Her ss had the most students


    epted into the city’s top high schools.”


    Jocelyn, caught off-guard, humbly responded. “It wasn’t just me. The credit goes to all the teachers, as


    well as those whoid the groundwork before. Without them, I couldn’t have done it alone.”


    ‘Jocelyn is truly impressive for her age, Zephyr chimed in with a smile in Jocelyn’s direction.


    With a forced grin, Jocelyn said, “You tter me.”


    Throughout the meal, Melvin hadn’t exchanged a single word with Jocelyn, nor had he nced her


    way.


    After lunch, Jocelyn excused herself, saying she needed to check the student dormitories, and took her


    leave early.


    The students had an hour for a nap after noon, and after her dorm inspection, Jocelyn saw Melvin


    standing under therge tree out front. His white shirt was neatly tucked into the waistband of his ck


    dress pants. His figure was tall and slender, with a slicked-back hairdo.


    Aloof, solitary and proud, he was like a painting just standing there.


    As if he was abandoned by the whole world, or perhaps as if he had never deigned to regard the world


    at all.


    Their eyes met in an upward nce, locking in a silent exchange.