CHAPTER 42: THE PRICE OF POWER

"I’m sorry for interrupting," Alfonso began calmly.

"But I think this conversation shouldn’t be happening out here. If you have a problem with Teacher Amie, perhaps it’s better to discuss it privately, together with the children involved. And maybe... it would help to hear the full story before jumping to conclusions."

Principal Thomas’s brows furrowed even more, deep lines carving into his forehead as his irritation grew.

"And who are you, exactly?"

He looked between the two men, sizing them up.

His eyes lingered on Alfonso first, taking in his casual outfit—a simple shirt, jeans, and a paper bag in hand from an expensive restaurant. Despite the laid-back look, Alfonso exuded an unmistakable presence that couldn’t be ignored.

Then the principal’s gaze shifted to Alpheus, who stood straight in an elegant suit that looked like it belonged on a high-end fashion runway. His presence alone was commanding and intimidating.

The principal’s tense stance faltered slightly at the sight of the two men.

"...Are you Teacher Amie’s suitors?" he asked, trying to keep a level tone but failing to hide the bite of sarcasm behind it.

Alfonso and Alpheus exchanged a glance before their eyes shifted to Paris and Egypt.

"No," Alfonso answered plainly. "We’re not."

"We came here for the kids." he added.

The principal glanced toward the students, his eyes briefly landing on Ben.

"Ah, I see... You must be here for Ben, then? Handsome gentlemen like you—surely, you’re family?" he guessed.

Alpheus’s brows knitted together, his expression turning icy as he looked sharply at Ben, who instinctively took a step back in fear.

"No," Alpheus replied flatly. "We didn’t come here for him. We came to see the twins. We’re their uncles."

The principal’s eyes widened in surprise.

"U-Uncles?... You’re their uncles?" Principal Thomas repeated in disbelief, glancing back at the twins as if trying to confirm it with his own eyes.

"Yes." Alpheus replied, his tone flat and serious. "We heard everything you said to our nieces. And now, it seems like you need to repeat those same concerns—to us. We’re all ears if you truly have a problem with them."

"W-What... are you saying those twins—who don’t even have a father—are your nieces?"

"Yes, do you have a problem with that?" Alpheus answered without hesitation.

"They may not have a father around, but they have us—their uncles. So if you have any issues with them, you can address those concerns directly to us."

Alpheus’s voice had turned colder, and for a moment, the principal couldn’t stand the calm yet intimidating stare Alpheus was giving him.

"Ahem... Well, I assume you both heard everything I said earlier," Principal Thomas muttered. "The twins caused trouble. It’s only proper that they apologize to their classmates for what they did."

"Apologize?" Alfonso repeated, raising a brow as he turned to look at Paris and Egypt. "And why exactly should they apologize?"

He looked back at the principal again. "Before you demand anything from them, shouldn’t you first apologize for what you said to them? You’re the principal, and yet you didn’t even try to find out what really happened. You judged them without hearing the full story."

"What’s there to find out?" the principal snapped back defensively. "I think you two don’t really know what kind of kids your nieces are. I’ve heard a lot from my son about how difficult and disrespectful they’ve been. I let the other complaints slide, but now... I’ve had enough. I need to take proper disciplinary measures!"

"And how can you be so sure that everything your son said is true?" Alpheus asked, his voice sharp as he turned to glance at James.

James couldn’t help but shrink back under Alpheus’s piercing gaze, inching behind Principal Thomas for protection.

"You accuse Ms. Amie of favoritism," Alpheus continued coolly, "but from where I’m standing, it’s you who’s clearly showing favoritism to your own son. You believed him without even questioning the twins—or Ms. Amie—about what really happened."

Principal Thomas’s expression hardened. Despite the wealthy and influential air of the two men before him, his pride and authority were more important to him than the truth.

"Are you lecturing me?" the principal snapped. "I’m the principal of this school, Mr.—whoever you are."

But Alfonso didn’t flinch. He met the principal’s glare head-on and responded calmly.

"Yes, I am. Because being a principal doesn’t make you infallible. In fact, that position comes with greater responsibility—you’re supposed to show good judgment, not jump to conclusions and publicly humiliate your students."

Principal Thomas’s face flushed with anger.

"Hah... You must not know who I am!" he spat. "I’m not just the principal—I’m also one of the school’s owners. So if anyone has the right to make decisions around here, it’s me. No one dictates what I do. In this school, I decide who’s right and who’s wrong!"

Alfonso and Alpheus exchanged a brief glance, both of them cracking the faintest grin before Alpheus stepped forward.

"So you’re saying you have the right to humiliate our nieces just because you hold a little power in this school?" Alfonso asked.

"Well, how about this—why don’t we buy your rights to this school... and your position along with it?" Alpheus added.

Silence followed.

"Pfft—Are you seriously joking right now, Mr.?" the principal scoffed, then let out a full-blown laugh.

"Hahaha! Sure, you two look rich, but do you really think you can afford my position and ownership of this school? That’s laughable!"

Alfonso responded with a calm smile. "Then name your price, Mr. Principal. Let’s see if we can afford it or not."

The principal’s laughter began to waver, though he still thought they were bluffing.

"Hahaha, my ownership and position? I would never sell them—not for the kind of pocket change you boys probably have!" he scoffed, straightening his tie. "You can’t possibly afford a hundred million dollars, anyway."

Alfonso and Alpheus exchanged a knowing glance.

"Just a hundred million?" Alfonso repeated, raising a brow in mock surprise. "And here we thought it would take a real fortune for you to act like such a big shot."

He let out a dry chuckle.

"You’re nothing but a small-time principal of a rundown school. A hundred million dollars? That’s pocket change for us. In fact, we could double it—just to get rid of you."

The principal’s smirk faltered slightly, but he quickly forced it back.

"Oh, please. Don’t try to impress me with empty talk." He crossed his arms. "Even if you say that, no one here will believe you. You think people will take your side? Ha! It’s better if you just kneel and apologize on behalf of your nieces. Who knows? I might just forgive them if you do."

"Oh? Then try me." Alpheus said smoothly as he took out his phone and dialed a number.

He held it to his ear, his gaze never leaving the principal.

"Hey," he said coolly into the receiver. "I need you to do something for me."