I turned. Principal Higgins, flanked by two board members and two security guards, rushed over.
"Stop this instant!" Higgins shouted.
Silas dropped Marcus like trash.
Marcus scrambled toward Higgins like he'd found salvation. "Mr. Higgins, help!"
Higgins glanced at Marcus. "What's going on?"
"She—" Marcus pointed at me, voice shaking. "Anthea's having an affair with a student's parent!"
He crawled up, holding his phone out to the principal.
"I have proof! Mr. Higgins, if word gets out about a teacher seducing a parent, think what it'll do to the school."
Higgins frowned at the photos, expression darkening, disappointment in his eyes.
My heart sank. Done. I was done. Marcus was right—getting rid of the problem person was the cheapest solution. I stood there, waiting for Higgins's verdict.
"Anthea is my partner. Olei's biological mother." Silas's tone was calm.
Everyone froze. Marcus's jaw dropped.
Silas walked to my side, pulling me close. "Olei is our child. Mine and Anthea's."
Marcus looked like he'd been struck by lightning. "Wha-what?"
"It's true." I stepped forward, voice firm. "I'm Olei's biological mother."
Higgins almost instantly relaxed, like he'd found the perfect excuse to settle this mess.
Marcus's face went white, then green. He slumped to the ground. "This... how is this possible?"
He tried to say more, but Higgins cut him off fast.
"Get him out of this school, or I'll reconsider next quarter's donation." Silas's voice was ice. "I don't want my money paying for this kind of teacher."
The principal and board members exchanged glances, then nodded quickly. None dared cross this terrifying donor.
"Marcus, you think I can't tell this image was edited?" Higgins's tone turned harsh. "You've worked here a long time, but that doesn't mean you can use Photoshopped pictures to slander a dedicated teacher. Your career here is over."
"No! Mr. Higgins!" Marcus dropped to his knees, begging. "I was wrong, I swear."
Higgins didn't budge.
"Anthea, I'm sorry!" Marcus crawled toward me, but Silas blocked him. He turned to Silas. "Mr. Thorne, please forgive me. I thought Anthea was just some mistress of yours. If I'd known she was your partner, I wouldn't have touched her. I promise it won't happen again!"
Silas said nothing, staring down at him blankly.
My blood ran cold. Marcus said he was wrong—not because herealized his behavior was illegal, but because he'd crossed the wrong person.
"Take him to my office," Higgins ordered the guards.
Two security men hauled Marcus away. Higgins and the board members apologized to us, promising a proper resolution, then left with the gawking teachers.
Only Silas and I remained on the field. I looked at him, emotions tangled. He'd stood beside me in a way I never expected, solving my problem.
"Why did you say that?" My voice came out rough. "You're an investor here. You could've handled Marcus another way."
