Chapter 13: The Reckoning

Kit arrived late at school after saving a life, rushing to her classroom just as the first period began. As she pushed open the door, she was met with a wave of unusual stares. The students were whispering, their eyes filled with confusion and doubt.

"How dare she come so late?"

"I heard she got into a fight and pushed an old man down."

Jenny's voice was particularly loud, filled with glee and schadenfreude.

Laura, the physics teacher, who had always been dissatisfied with Kit, seized the opportunity to reprimand her. Laura glared coldly at Kit and said, "Kit, what's going on with you today? Not only are you late, but you caused trouble on the way here? Don't you know your behavior is a serious violation of school discipline?"

Kit stood silently at the door. Laura continued, "Since you can't follow the rules, go stand outside and reflect on your mistakes!"

Some students snickered, while others looked on sympathetically. Kit did not argue nor did she go to stand outside as instructed. She quietly turned and headed to the school library.

In the library, Kit found a quiet corner, put on her headphones, and began reading a book she was interested in. She knew that explanations were useless; the truth would eventually come to light. She opened an Arabic book and focused on reading, shutting out the outside world.

Kit reflected on the morning's events. Though she knew she had done the right thing, Laura's harshness left her feeling helpless and frustrated. She was aware of her precarious position at school and that she wasn't universally accepted. But she didn't care about that; she only cared about her principles and morals.

Meanwhile, the Gu family's butler arrived at the school with a banner and some gifts. Principal David personally greeted him, knowing the Gu family's significant status. Having heard that the visit was to thank Kit, Principal David immediately sent the dean to fetch her from Class F.

The dean hurried to Class F, only to find Kit absent. "Where is Kit?" he asked.

Kalvin stood up and shouted, "Kit was kicked out for being late!"

The classroom was in an uproar. Laura's face turned pale and ashen, but she didn't scold Kalvin due to the dean's presence.

The dean frowned, having no time to reprimand Laura, and quickly instructed a few students to find Kit.

Soon, a few students found Kit in the library. Kalvin, excited, told her, "Kit, the Gu family's butler is here looking for you. He brought a banner and gifts!"

Kalvin rushed over to Kit and softly said, "Kit, the dean is looking for you. He says it's something important."

Kit, unfazed and unhurried, responded with a simple, "Got it." She calmly put her book back on the shelf and prepared to go to the principal's office with Kalvin. Noticing the Arabic book she returned, Kalvin couldn't help but ask, "Kit, do you know Arabic? When did you learn it?"

Kit answered nonchalantly, "I know a bit."

The two made their way to the principal's office, where Principal David greeted Kit warmly. He was clearly proud of her heroic deed. The Gu family's butler stood beside him, holding a banner and gifts, his eyes full of gratitude.

Principal David enthusiastically praised Kit, saying, "Kit, you did a great deed today. You've brought honor to our school!"

The butler respectfully added, "Miss Kit, thanks to you, the old master is safe. The entire Gu family is deeply grateful." As he spoke, he handed the banner to Kit.

Amidst the applause for Kit's actions, Kalvin suddenly complained, "Kit was scolded by Miss Laura for being late, and everyone said she pushed the old man."

Principal David immediately caught this comment and frowned. He turned to the dean and decisively ordered, "Issue an announcement to clarify the truth and properly commend Kit."

The dean nodded and quickly left to handle the matter.

After everyone left, Kit looked at Principal David and said, "Principal, there's no need for all this. You know I don't care about such things."

Principal David patted her shoulder, smiling, "I'm glad to have you here. If you suffer here, those old guys will have an excuse to snatch you away."

Mentioning those "old stubborns," Kit felt a warmth in her heart. The dean's announcement quickly spread throughout the school, detailing the true reason for Kit's tardiness—she was delayed because she was helping a fainting old man. The announcement not only clarified the facts but also praised Kit's bravery.

Soon, the entire school knew about Kit's heroic deed. Students and teachers alike looked at her with newfound respect, and many expressed their admiration. The classroom buzzed with discussions about Kit.

"She was saving someone? That's amazing!"

"I knew Kit wouldn't do something like that."

"Miss Laura didn't even listen and just kicked her out. That's too much!"

Standing on the podium, Laura's face was grim as she read the announcement. She felt her authority was severely challenged, especially amidst the students' discussions. She felt humiliated, believing the announcement criticized her for not listening to students and punishing them arbitrarily.

"Kit was late because she was saving someone. I didn't know that, but you should have explained it to me first instead of acting on your own!" Laura tried to defend herself, but her words didn't resonate with the students.

Her heart filled with resentment and dissatisfaction, feeling questioned and challenged by the students. Known for her strictness and harshness, Laura believed discipline and authority were key to maintaining classroom order. Kit's actions seemed to undermine her authority in the students' eyes.

Laura silently vowed to find an opportunity to make Kit pay. She saw Kit as a challenger to her authority, someone who must be strictly punished to reestablish her control.

In the office, the dean and Principal David discussed the matter. The dean said, "Principal David, Miss Laura's actions were indeed a bit excessive. Should we talk to her?"

Principal David nodded, "We certainly need to talk. Teachers must have authority, but they also need to be fair and understanding. Kit is a pride of our school; we can't let such students suffer injustice."

Accepting the surface correction, Laura hid her frustration, planning retribution for Kit in the future.