Chapter 113: A Beautiful Dream Comes to Nothing

Chapter 113: Chapter 113: A Beautiful Dream Comes to Nothing

"We’ve all been waiting for you, Sister-in-law. The food’s been ready for ages!" Eleanor Young said sourly. "Getting that promotion to Vice Principal has really gone to your head, hasn’t it? Making a whole table of people wait for just one person!"

"Eleanor, you spend all day cooped up in that little shop of yours. How could you possibly understand the pressures of a real career? The position of Vice Principal is much more senior than a Director, and the work is far more critical. Naturally, I have to be more meticulous! This is a world you’ll never be a part of. It’s pointless explaining it to you—you wouldn’t understand."

Aria Cheney’s face was filled with arrogance and smug satisfaction. ’This feeling of being above everyone else... it’s simply wonderful!’

"Mom, I want a chicken leg! I’m hungry!" ten-year-old Ray Jennings suddenly yelled, already starting to drool.

"Eleanor, I’m not trying to tell you what to do, but even if you aren’t highly educated like me, you should at least be able to teach your child some manners! Ray is old enough to know better, yet he has no concept of dining etiquette! Thank goodness this is a family dinner. At least the embarrassment stays within these walls. If he acted like this in public, people would laugh themselves sick! In the future, please don’t tell anyone we’re sisters-in-law. I’m about to become Vice Principal, and I can’t afford to be associated with that kind of behavior."

Aria Cheney’s expression was a mixture of disgust, mockery, and utter contempt.

"Zachary, aren’t you going to do something?" Zeke Jennings couldn’t listen anymore. "Your wife is about to become Vice Principal, and suddenly she’s too good for us. Before you know it, she’ll be too good for you, her own husband!"

But before Zachary Jennings could speak, Aria Cheney had already turned her fire on Zeke Jennings.

"Zeke, don’t you dare try to stir up trouble between my husband and me. Before you complain about me looking down on you, you’d better take a good look at yourself! Look at the things you’ve done—running to the police station to testify against your own niece for a few lousy bucks, cheating customers, selling counterfeit goods! I’m going to be a Vice Principal. Everything you do just tarnishes my reputation!"

Zeke Jennings shot a quick glance at Seraphina Sterling. He relaxed only when he saw her expression was completely unfazed. ’I do not want to end up at the police station again! Last time was a harsh enough lesson.’

"That’s enough, everyone!" Kimberly Jennings cut in, unable to listen any longer, and changed the subject. "Mom, may you have a long and happy life!"

Before the grandmother could say a word, Aria Cheney interjected, clearly displeased. "Kimberly Jennings! I can forgive Eleanor Young—she’s from the countryside and doesn’t know any better. But you? You were once Mrs. Sterling, shouldn’t you know the rules? I haven’t even sat down yet, and you’re already starting the banquet? Don’t tell me that when the Sterling Family threw you out, you forgot all your basic manners too?"

The moment Aria Cheney finished speaking, the atmosphere at the table grew even more tense.

For the past few years, scenes like this had become an annual tradition. Aria Cheney always had to establish her superiority over everyone else.

"Aunt Aria, first of all, you’re not the Vice Principal yet. And even if you were, this is a family home, not your school. We’re here for Grandma’s birthday banquet, so you can drop the act. In fact, seeing your attitude, I have a feeling you won’t be getting that promotion after all. No matter who’s making the decision, they’re not going to choose someone so arrogant and self-important to be a Vice Principal."

Seraphina Sterling’s gentle voice made Aria Cheney want to kill someone. Almost all her colleagues at school knew she was on the verge of being promoted to Vice Principal, yet Seraphina had the gall to say she was fated to fail!

Aria Cheney struggled to control her emotions, forcing a highly unnatural smile. "I know you’re just saying that because you’re holding a grudge that I didn’t approve you to skip a grade. But I’m afraid this isn’t something you get to decide. Let me tell you, the official announcement is arriving at the school this afternoon. On the last day of the semester, I will officially become the new Vice Principal!"

"Oh? Is that right?" Seraphina Sterling’s smile grew even wider. ’I never thought Aria would be so confident in herself. Suddenly, I really want to see the look on her face when all her hopes come crashing down!’

"But of course!" Just as Aria Cheney spoke, her phone began to buzz. A stream of text messages popped up on her screen, one after another!

"Director Cheney, this result is so unexpected. Don’t be discouraged, you’re still young and have plenty of opportunities! If not this time, there’s always the next!"

"Director Cheney, what a pity. I really thought you had it in the bag!"

"Director Cheney, you’ve put in the work. You’ll get it next time!"

...

"Director Cheney, you’ll be Vice Principal one day! Don’t lose heart!"

The more Aria Cheney read, the faster her heart beat, and the more ragged her breathing became. "How could this be? Why is everyone still calling me Director Cheney? Why am I not the Vice Principal? Why?"

This outcome was so completely unexpected. Aria Cheney’s voice suddenly rose to a shriek. "Seraphina Sterling! You knew something, didn’t you?"

Her shrill voice startled everyone at the table.

Only Seraphina Sterling remained completely composed. "Inside information? The only thing I know is that a school is a place to educate and nurture. As a leader there, your moral character must be beyond reproach. Someone like you, Aunt Aria—who only knows how to kick people when they’re down, gloat over others’ misfortunes, prioritize her own interests above all else, and even throws a fit when her sister-in-law comes home to stay for a while—is absolutely unqualified to be a Vice Principal."

Now Aria Cheney was certain: Seraphina Sterling had a hand in this. In fact, she had been involved from the very beginning! Fuming, she ground her teeth, her eyes glinting with a vicious light as if she wanted to eat Seraphina alive. "What good does it do you if I don’t become the Vice Principal?"