"What do you mean by this?" Regene snapped as she appeared in the classroom where her teacher Mrs Shum was in, holding a report. "You gave me an 'F' for this report? An 'F'? Are you kidding me?"
"This is an accurate reflection of the quality of the report," Mrs Shum explained, but Regene was implacable.
"I cannot have an 'F' on my record," Regene insisted. "You need to change it now." She then slammed the report on Mrs Shum's table.
"I can't do that," Mrs Shum replied.
"I'm not asking you. I'm telling you to change it," Regene ordered. "Do you know who my parents are?"
"Regene, you have been slacking off all year," Mrs Shum explained. "You never submit your homework on time. You don't participate in class. And besides, I've checked. Most of the content in your report were similar to that found on the Internet which you did not acknowledge the sources, which means you committed plagiarism. I'm sorry you're upset, but the 'F' grade stands."
"You should really think about this," Regene said in a low but threatening tone. "I'm giving you one more chance to change my grade, or else..."
"Or else what?" Mrs Shum interrupted. "Do you think threatening me is going to work? Besides, even if I changed your grade, which I won't, you would only be cheating yourself."
"You're going to wish you listened to me when you had the chance," Regene threatened as she took the report. "Just you wait." She then stormed out of the classroom. Miss Shum gave a huge sigh as Regene walked away.
The next day, Mrs Shum had just finished her consultation session with a student when there was a knock on the classroom door. She looked outside and saw the principal Mr Cheung.
"Mrs Shum, in my office, now," he said. Mrs Shum entered the principal's office, where she saw Regene and her parents already seated.
"Is there a problem?" Mrs Shum asked.
"Regene Ho Yuen-kei here has made some serious allegations against you, Mrs Shum," Mr Cheung began. "She claims you've been harassing and bullying her."
"Bullying?" Mrs Shum said in disbelief. "No, that's not true. I'd never bully one of my students. Regene has had a tough year, that's true. But she dug her own hole by not taking her academic career seriously." Hearing this, Regene's father stood up angrily.
"My daughter is only struggling because you were continuously picking on her," he said in a defensive tone. "Yeah, she told us all about it."
"I've never picked on one of my students," Mrs Shum tried to explain, but was rebuffed by Regene's mother.
"Are you saying our sweet angel is lying?" she asked in a defensive tone.
"I always give my best to my students, and I work hard to help them achieve whatever dreams they have. It's why I get up every morning. I have done nothing but try to help them succeed. But she doesn't put in the effort."
"Oh, please, that is not true," Regene's mother retorted. "You are just jealous of her because of her intelligence and the fact that her parents have money. That is exactly why you are intentionally failing our daughter."
"What?" Mrs Shum exclaimed in shock. "That's outrageous."
"Yes, it is," Regene's mother said.
"Let's just keep it together, folks," Mr Cheung said. He then turned to Mrs Shum. "I'm afraid I must take these allegations seriously, Mrs Shum. I'm sorry, but you have to go."
"Let me go?" Mrs Shum replied in disbelief. "I've taught here for about 30 years, and my teaching record is perfect. This job is my life."
"What a sad life," Regene said sarcastically.
"Please, Mr Cheung," Mrs Shum pleaded. "Teaching is my passion. My students, they need me." Mr Cheung pondered for a while and became thoughtful. Then Regene's father cleared his throat, and all eyes were on Mr Cheung. He turned to Mrs Shum.
"I'm sorry," he said apologetically. "Your actions left me with no choice. You're fired. Collect all your things and I want you off the school grounds in an hour."
"Can I at least tell my side of the story?" Mrs Shum asked in tears, but Mr Cheung was adamant. "In an hour," he repeated. "Got it?"
"Told you you'd regret it," Regene said in a low voice as Mrs Shum left the principal's office in tears. After Mrs Shum left, Regene and her parents were all smiles. "Thank you, Lloyd, for doing the right thing," Regene's father said and gave Mr Cheung a wad of $50 notes.
Mrs Shum was saddled with grief as she packed her belongings and left the school. For the next few days, she stayed at home and did not go anywhere. One day, she heard a knock on the front porch. Wiping away her tears, she went to get the door, where she saw the landlord.
"Oh, Mr Yip," she said. "What are you doing here?"
"I'm here to collect the rent," the landlord replied and handed her a document. "You're 2 weeks' late."
"I'm sorry, I know I'm behind, but I lost my teaching job," Mrs Shum said apologetically. "I promise I'll find a way to get the money I owe you, but I need a bit more time." Just then, a young man appeared before her.
"It's OK, I'll cover it," he said. He took a look at the document and handed the landlord a wad of $50 notes. The landlord counted the money and left.
"Thanks, Gabriel," Mrs Shum said to the young man. "It's been so long. What are you doing here?"
"I'm looking for you, actually," Gabriel replied. "Well, come in, come in," Mrs Shum said as she invited him into her house. "It's wonderful to see you doing so well, Gabriel," she continued as she poured him a glass of water. "I always knew you'd succeed."
"It's thanks to you," Gabriel replied. "That's sweet, but you did all the hard work," Mrs Shum said as she sat down. Gabriel's expression suddenly became solemn.
"Listen, I heard from Mr Ko, the janitor about what happened with your job," he began. "How are you holding up?"
"Not too well, if I'm being honest," Mrs Shum replied. "Teaching is my passion, and without my students, I don't know what I'm supposed to do."
"Hey," Gabriel said as he held her hand. "I know it's bleak right now, but you can't give up." He then recounted during his student days when he almost dropped out of school because his family went bankrupt and could not afford to pay for his school fees, Mrs Shum paid out of her own pocket. From that day on, he resolved to study hard in order not to disappoint her.
"You changed my life," Gabriel said. "So you see, I owe you a lot. If you hadn't paid for my school fees back then, I don't know where I'd be in life right now. And that's why I want to help you now."
"That's kind," Mrs Shum said. "But I didn't help you to get something from you."
"I know," Gabriel laughed and said. "And that makes me want to help you even more. You used to always say that your dream was to become a principal. Is that still true?"
"Yes, it still is," Mrs Shum replied.
"Then let's go for a ride," Gabriel said. "There's something you should see." He drove Mrs Shum to the school she was fired from, where Mr Cheung was seen screaming as he was led away by police officers.
"You got Mr Cheung fired?" Mrs Shum asked in awe.
"As a lawyer, I often work with a terrific private investigator," Gabriel shurgged and replied. "As it turns out, Regene's parents bribed Mr Cheung, or should I say Lloyd, to have you fired. Also, Regene has been expelled for misconduct, academic dishonesty as well as making false allegations against you. I guessed she never learnt that all actions have consequences. Her parents are also under police investigation, as their company is involved in illegal activities."
Gabriel then led Mrs Shum to the principal's office. "So," he continued. "The school needs a new principal, and I've already spoken to the superintendent. The job is yours, if you want it."
"Really?" Mrs Shum asked, unable to believe what had happened. Gabriel nodded his head.
"No, I couldn't," Mrs Shum replied. "It's too much."
"It's not too much," Gabriel said. "It's exactly what you deserve." He then pulled out the chair. Mrs Shum hesitated for a while before sitting down. "You've spent years spreading kindness and goodness into the world, helping kids like me when I needed it the most, even when there's nothing in it for you. And now here it is, all coming back to you. This is your chance to help even more students, just like you did for me. What do you say?" Beaming with pride, Mrs Shum accepted the offer. A small act of kindness years ago had made her dream of becoming a principal come true.
