ragginovel Chapter 1258 - 1257: An Attitude Even Tougher Than His Own Wife’s
Chapter 1258 - 1257: An Attitude Even Tougher Than His Own Wife’s
"Knox, why don’t you get over here quickly? They hit someone and still want us to apologize. No way, I’m calling a lawyer right now. This isn’t over." Mrs. Zane was at a loss for the first time, frantically calling for reinforcements.
Mr. Zane was forced to hang up the phone and walked over. Seeing Leah with Richard Shaw, he paused for a moment. Though he’s mingled in politics for years, he seldom saw such outstanding people in the Imperial City, leaving him hesitant as he couldn’t pinpoint Richard Shaw’s status. He tentatively asked, "Mr. Shaw, you look familiar. May I know where you’re working?"
In a place like the Imperial City, if a stone falls from the sky, it could very likely hit a distant relative of a high-ranking official. It’s better to tread carefully.
The man had been silent since entering the room, standing restrained behind Leah. Despite seeing his wife and son being berated, he was inwardly displeased. His face, usually stern, grew colder. However, due to his high position, dealing with people often didn’t require him to speak. A mere glance from him would ensure everything was handled perfectly by his subordinates, so he really didn’t need to lower himself to quarrel.
Seeing Mr. Zane asking about his identity and that the Zane family elder had begun making calls to investigate him, the man finally spoke up, though not to answer Mr. Zane. Instead, he addressed Ms. Wu, the homeroom teacher, saying, "Ms. Wu, is there any purified water available?"
"Yes, yes." It was Ms. Wu’s second time meeting Richard Shaw. The first time, she was overwhelmed by his powerful aura, and she wondered why Casimir Shaw’s mother’s column always seemed blank. Seeing Leah today enlightened her; only someone with such beauty and presence would be a match for the man before her.
Ms. Wu hurriedly retrieved a sealed bottle of purified water. Richard Shaw noticed it wasn’t Leah’s preferred brand, though of course, teachers rarely stock internationally exclusive purified water in the office.
The man unscrewed the cap, walked over to Leah, handed it to her, and gently patted her back with his warm, broad hand, speaking softly and warmly, "After talking so much, your throat will surely hurt when we get back. Have some water and sit down to speak slowly."
The adults and little ones in the office: "?!!!"
Isn’t this supposed to be a scene of kids fighting and adults clashing? What’s with this unexpected show of affection?
Seeing Leah take a sip of water, Richard Shaw finally looked up with satisfaction, gazed at Mr. Zane, and said coolly, "Director Zane, my wife handles the household matters. If she wants to settle things peacefully, we will. If she wants to send a lawyer’s letter, then we will see it through to the end."
The attitude was evidently even more assertive than his wife’s.
Richard Shaw never fought battles he wasn’t confident of winning. Earlier this morning, he’d already received all the information on the Zane family. This Director Zane wasn’t particularly important in the Imperial City, having climbed the ranks for years but only reaching a bureau level, which speaks to his mediocrity. His father, the Zane elder, however, had cultivated many influential connections during his term. Nonetheless, these were nothing compared to the Shaw Family.
Upon hearing the other party knew his official rank, Mr. Zane felt a pang of unease. Could the opposing party be more influential than him? He was merely a bureau rank, not anything noteworthy, but the elders of his family knew plenty of top figures. With that thought, Director Zane regained some confidence.
"Mrs. Shaw, the fact remains that your child injured our baby. Hitting someone is wrong, and an apology must be given," Mr. Zane said.
"Hitting is indeed wrong, but what if it’s justified self-defense? If Thomas of our Shaw Family defended himself justifiably, then there’s not even a hint of wrongdoing," Leah replied smoothly with a smile.
"You’re lying through your teeth. Self-defense? I think you’ll only cry when you see the coffin." Mrs. Zane, seeing her husband’s ineptitude against Leah, was infuriated to the point of twitching, angrily calling the lawyer.
The principal, seeing this, thought it was going terribly wrong. Were the Zane family really going to hire a lawyer and file a lawsuit? If it blew up, the school would gain notoriety, a definite blemish in his career just as he was nearing retirement. It was indeed worrying.
The principal could no longer watch on and quickly came forward to mediate: "Mrs. Zane, please calm down. Let’s talk things over nicely. Blowing this situation up isn’t good for Leo Zane’s future either. I’ve invited the eldest son of the Land Family to help mediate. Does that sound feasible to you?"
This was the highest status the principal could reach, and it was only due to his connections in the education sector that he had the good fortune to know someone from the Land Family.
The Land Family of Imperial City is a bigwig in the education sector, whose standing far exceeds that of the Zane Family. Upon the principal’s mention, the Zane family showed some deference. Clearly, being a principal called for some capability.
Leah squinted upon hearing this and asked calmly, "Are you referring to the renowned Land Family of Imperial City?"
"Indeed. What does Mrs. Shaw think?" The principal asked smilingly, wearing a cheerful, benevolent expression. "Kids getting into fights at this age is quite common. Thankfully, no serious harm has been done. It’s better to educate them well than to spend three to five years embroiled in a lawsuit that may or may not yield results and could aggravate everyone involved. Why not buy some supplements for Leo Zane and make peace instead?"
The principal then looked at Mrs. Zane and added with a smile, "Mrs. Zane, Leo Zane just transferred here two months ago. If the situation intensifies, and he’s transferred to another school, he might not be able to adapt well."
The principal’s words even subtly hinted, if it escalates, our school won’t be able to keep your child.
Being a seasoned player in the education sector, the principal handled such matters predictably well. He waited for the situation to escalate before speaking, mentioning the Land Family as his backers to awe both parties before mediating. The mediation depended on the subject, pleasant words for the Shaw Family, since Casimir Shaw was cherished, and subtly threatening the Zane Family.
After all, over the past two months, the little chubby kid had thoroughly annoyed everyone. Tripping because of Casimir Shaw felt like a relief to the principal.
Mrs. Zane’s face changed at realizing the school’s favoritism towards the Shaw Family. Enraged and trembling, she said menacingly, "I’m open to settling privately, but having just one mediator won’t suffice. While you sought someone from the Land Family, I too invited a mediator before coming here; they should be arriving shortly. I wonder whom Mrs. Shaw can bring as a mediator. If you can’t find anyone, it doesn’t matter; just have your child apologize to my son in front of the entire school staff and students. I’m magnanimous enough to drop the charges for the principal’s sake."
Her implication was clear: it’s a matter of comparing power and status; whoever wields the most influence is the leader.
Leah smiled with narrowed eyes, glanced at the composed and stoic man, and thought, comparing power? Well, let’s indeed compare power.