Chapter 3

Samantha, probably afraid I'd keep making a scene, reached out to pull Betty.

"Go change first. The performance is about to start."

Betty took a step back.

"Teacher, I don't want to play the trash can."

Samantha's expression completely turned cold.

"Betty, what did the teacher tell you yesterday?"

"Group activities can't have problems because of one person."

"Your mother doesn't understand, so you have to not understand too?"

Tears welled up in Betty's eyes.

Mendez quietly laughed nearby.

"If you don't perform, you won't get a Children's Day gift."

Rachel lightly patted Mendez's head.

"Mendez, don't talk nonsense."

But her face clearly showed indulgence.

Just then, the backstage curtain was pulled open and a little girl in a white gauze dress ran out.

Wearing a crown on her head and holding a paintbrush in her hand—it was the school board chairman's daughter, Christiana.

She saw Betty and wrinkled her nose.

"Samantha, why hasn't she changed into the trash can yet?"

"After I finish painting the rainbow at the opening, I need to throw the waste paper in."

"If she doesn't stand there, where am I supposed to throw it?"

Children speak without restraint, but some children's malice never grows from nothing.

Samantha quickly coaxed her.

"Christiana, don't worry. It'll be ready soon."

She turned to look at me and lowered her voice.

"Mrs. James, please don't make this difficult for me."

"The school board chairman and principal will be here soon. We can't mess up the program."

I asked, "Who set the program?"

Samantha didn't answer.

Rachel clicked her tongue impatiently.

"What exactly do you want?"

"It's just a role. If you're dissatisfied, why didn't you join the PTA in the first place?"

"Our family alone advanced tens of thousands for gift procurement for this Children's Day."

"Christiana's family donated a dance studio to the school."

"What right does your child have to compete with them?"

Just as I was about to retort, Principal Antoine walked over with several administrators.

He was all smiles. "Why is everyone gathered here?"

Rachel immediately went up to him.

"Principal Antoine, it's nothing serious."

"A parent is dissatisfied with her child's role assignment and is making a scene here."

Samantha also added in a low voice.

"Mrs. James isn't cooperating with the school's work and is interfering with the program."

Principal Antoine looked at me, his smile fading a bit.

"Parent, today is the school-wide Children's Day performance. City officials will also be here."

"If you have any issues, we can communicate after the event."

"Please don't disrupt normal order right now."

I looked at him.

"What if the problem is your order itself?"

Principal Antoine's face darkened.

"Parents need to watch what they say."

"Our SUN School has been running for many years. We prioritize children's comprehensive development above all."

Rachel sneered nearby.

"Principal Antoine, don't waste words on her."

"Some parents are like this—they don't support the school normally, but make a big deal out of everything."

"We can't indulge this kind of attitude."

Samantha, as if finding a backer, reached for the trash can costume on the ground.

"Betty, go change."

Betty didn't move.

Samantha's voice rose.

"Betty!"

"If you don't change, today's entire class program will be delayed because of you."

"When your classmates blame you, don't come crying to the teacher."

Betty was so scared she trembled. I gripped her shoulder.

"No need to change."

Principal Antoine frowned.

"Security, please escort this parent to the waiting room."

Two security guards were about to step forward.

My phone rang. The caller was my assistant.

"Ms. James, the lighting team has completed final testing, and the live streaming link is also set up."

"The school is urging us to send the final payment confirmation."

I looked at Principal Antoine and pressed speakerphone.

"Don't send it yet."

My assistant paused.

"What do you mean?"

I said, "Notify the on-site execution team. James Entertainment is withdrawing all stage, lighting, live streaming, photography, and gift sponsorship for this Children's Day performance. Now!"