Chapter Six
All right. Apparently,he was that influential.
Still, Hannah’s breath caught and she blinked before asking, “How exactly am I blowing this out of proportion?”
“You said he asked you out, which is not entirely an uncommon occurrence with parents and teachers. You turned him down, and I think that will have taken care of the situation.”
“But the way he talks to me. And looks at me. He followed me—”
“Are you implying Stoddard Wentworth is stalking you?”
Her cheeks flushed warm. “No. Yes. I don’t know. I’m just not comfortable with—”
“Mr. Wentworth is a very large donor to this school, Miss Jeong. Very large. If you’re making serious accusations, you’d better have hard evidence to back it up.”
Shocked, Hannah gaped at him. She tried to organize her thoughts, but she was so flustered it was difficult to form a coherent reply.
“Did he threaten you?”
She sucked in a quick breath. “No. Of course not.”
Not yet.
The condescending smile on her superior’s face made her want to sink through the floor.
“I think we’re done here now, Miss Jeong.” He rose, then walked toward the door. After opening it, he gestured for her to leave. “Perhaps you were overwhelmed with his attention? I understand you recently ended a very long relationship. Really, you should be flattered.”
“Flattered? That a man asked me out?” She couldn’t help but let loose a disbelieving laugh. “That’s insulting. I’m not some teenager just discovering boys.”
Mr. Andrews’s expression hardened. “That’s enough. If you have real accusations or evidence, please don’t hesitate to contact me. But this is hardly anything of concern.”
“I see.” She pressed her lips together.
“I don’t think you do, Miss Jeong. Mr. Wentworth is a very important person to this school.”
“Oh, is he? I wasn’t sure since you only mentioned it a few times in the last minute.”
It really would be amazing if her sarcasm didn’t get her fired. But the way he was brushing her off sent disbelief and rage through her.
Fortunately, Mr. Andrews ignored her last comment and continued on.
“His donations make this school what it is. We will do everything in our power to protect that relationship with him. Am I making myself clear?”
“Crystal.” She gave a tiny nod and strode from the room, her back stiff.
The school cared more about a big donor than the discomfort of one of its staff.
Humiliation joined the other emotions bubbling inside her. And along with it came the small prickle of doubt.
She hadn’t been wrong to request this meeting, had she? She’d simply been trying to document things in case the situation turned worse. She’d thought she was erring on the side of caution.
But the minute she’d said Stoddard Wentworth’s name, her boss had shut her down like a baseball game in a thunderstorm.
Jerk. What a complete jerk.
As she strode past one of the classrooms, a voice hollered, “Hey!”
Hannah slowed and glanced inside.