Chapter 20 #2
“And where were you, Principal Beaumont?” I glanced around to make my point. “Or any of the other teachers, for that matter, when this incident was happening? I would hate to inform my grandfather how unsafe this school has become.”
Principal Beaumont glanced at the other teachers with pursed lips. “I think it would be best to continue this conversation in my office, Ms. Kendry.”
“Of course,” I said, and went to retrieve my bag.
“Everyone else get to your classes. Mr. Walker, if you are feeling fine, please continue with your day,” Principal Beaumont said, which was what I wanted, but still pissed me off at the lack of justice Roe was going to get even if I did lie.
The thing was, the school couldn’t side with Roe against other students.
As students dispersed, the teachers went over to Brandon and Oliver to help them up.
Roe came up to me as I scooped up my bag. His lip was split and that made me want to hit Brandon with a golf club all over again.
Before Roe could say anything, I said, “Let me handle this. Please go to your class.”
With the cover of other students passing by, his hand touched mine before he left.
I pulled out my phone and dialed a number I’d never had to dial before. I pressed the phone to my ear. It rang a few times until a lady answered, “Sullivan Kendry’s office. This is Lidia. How may I help you?”
“My name is Charlotte Kendry. May I speak to my grandfather, please?”
There was a pause. “One moment, please, Ms. Kendry.”
A few hours had passed since Principal Beaumont called Brandon and Oliver’s parents.
Both sets of parents seemed to arrive at the same time and were escorted to the conference room in the administrative building where Principal Beaumont had Brandon, Oliver, and me sit.
None of us talked the entire time. I mostly texted my guys, keeping them updated, while Brandon and Oliver held ice packs to their faces.
The school nurse looked them over and said they were fine.
As soon as both mothers saw their sons, they immediately started fussing over their baby boys. The fathers demanded to know who was responsible.
“That would be me,” I said.
Principal Beaumont sighed and asked everyone to take a seat. It was a comical mess.
Sharon and Bill sat across the table from me, frowning. Oliver and his parents sat at the far end and Principal Beaumont sat to my left at the head of the table.
When we didn’t immediately start, Oliver’s parents questioned why.
“We’re waiting for Charlotte’s parent to arrive,” Principal Beaumont said.
“Bethany?” Sharon asked, sounding pleased.
“No,” I replied simply.
Not even a minute later, JJ walked in, wearing a very expensive suit and holding a briefcase. Everyone in the room but me was confused.
“May I help you?” Principal Beaumont asked.
“My name is Jayden Johnson. I’m here in Sullivan Kendry’s stead, as he is not presently in town,” JJ said as he made his way around the table.
At the mention of my grandfather, there was an audible intake of breath from Oliver’s parents. Oliver’s father looked at me. “You’re Charlotte Kendry?”
“I am.”
His eyes widened slightly before he gave Oliver a stern look. The weight of that look from his father made Oliver stare down at the table.
JJ pulled out the chair next to me, unbuttoned the front of his sport coat, and sat down. “May I ask all of your names?” JJ pulled out a legal pad and a pen. ”I was given instruction to get every single name in this room.”
Oliver’s father stood. “I don’t know what happened and I’m very sorry, Ms. Kendry, for whatever my son did.” He looked to his son and seethed, “Apologize. Right now.”
“But—”
“Right now!” his father bellowed.
“I’m sorry,” Oliver quickly said.
“I don’t think I need to explain what will happen if you retaliate toward me or toward Roe,” I said. My warning was for Oliver as much as his parents.
“There will be no retaliation of any sort. I’ll make sure of it,” Oliver’s father said.
“Then you may go,” I said.
Oliver and his parents quickly got up and walked out.
“Excuse me,” Principal Beaumont protested, but no one acknowledged him.
I stared across the table at the Carmichaels. They’d used to be so intimidating. I supposed they still were, but I had my grandfather backing me this time. It came at a price, but it would be worth it in the end.
“You made a bad deal with the wrong Kendry,” I told them. “I will tell you what I told your son. My mother is broke, but I am not. My father left everything to me. When I turned eighteen, my mother lost the right to play with my money. She’s in a lot of trouble.”
“I think there’s been a misunderstanding,” Bill tried to say.
I stared at his wife. “Twenty million, was it? That’s how much you were going to buy me for. Like chattel to tie to your son’s bed as you took control of the shares my father left me.” I leaned back in my chair and looked to JJ.
He nodded at me. “Charlotte has informed Mr. Kendry of the dealings you had with Bethany Kendry. He is very displeased. Those shares used to belong to Mr. Kendry’s deceased son. To try to obtain them in such a way is abhorrent.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Bill Carmichael said angrily.
“Is that so?” JJ said. “You didn’t exchange phone calls or messages with Bethany Kendry?”
“No, I have not,” Bill said with confidence.
“Bill,” Sharon said as she glanced at her husband nervously.
Bill stared at Sharon and whatever they silently exchanged made Bill’s nostrils flare. He set his angry gaze on me. “What do you want?”
“Keep your obsessed son the fuck away from me.” I glanced at Brandon.
“You are to stay away from Roe as well. If anything happens to him, I will automatically assume it was you. If you break these terms…well, I’ll leave the explanation of what will happen to JJ, as the threats are from my grandfather.
” I stood, grabbed my bag, and walked out with my head held high.
I almost made it out of the admin building. As soon as I saw the bathrooms near the exit, I dashed into the ladies’. I beelined for the first stall and puked until nothing was left in my stomach. I had gotten into a fight and stood up to people who had tried to buy me. My nerves were fucking shot.