Chapter 5: The Offer

I was both angry and scared.

If that foam dart had been a little higher, it would’ve hit me right in the eye. This was no joke. I glared at Tom, waiting for him to do something—anything—but he just grinned.

But for such a dangerous stunt, Tom Harper didn’t scold him—instead, he gave him a thumbs up. “That’s my boy! Good job!”

For a split second, I wanted to snatch the Nerf gun and snap it in half. Instead, I forced a tight smile, my hands shaking at my sides.

His wife rushed out and shielded the kid.

Tom Harper jabbed his finger at my face. “What are you doing? I’m warning you—don’t touch my son!” He looked ready to throw a punch himself. I could almost smell his sweat and hear the pounding of my own pulse in my ears.

I was shaking with rage. If murder weren’t illegal, I might have done it right then. I took a step back, counting to ten—barely stopping myself from saying something I’d regret.

Seeing I was about to explode, Tom Harper suddenly softened. “Look, buddy, to be honest, my son’s already been in school for a year. The state’s compulsory education law means he can’t be kicked out. Even if you’re not happy, there’s nothing you can do. How about this: I’ll give you some compensation and we’ll call it even. Three thousand bucks—how’s that? Not a small amount, right?” He tried to sound generous, like he was doing me a favor.

Three thousand dollars.

He actually had the nerve to say that. I stared at him, mouth open, disbelief mixing with fury. Three grand? For stealing my kid’s future?

“Three grand? That wouldn’t even cover Emily’s after-school care for a year. Get real.”

Tom Harper’s face darkened. “What, you want thirty grand?”

His wife spat at me. “You look decent, but you’re just here to scam us for money.” She glared at me with all the self-righteousness in the world.

Before coming, I’d imagined all sorts of scenarios, but never did I think they’d turn around and accuse me.

They actually said I was trying to scam them?

I said, “I’ve already called the police and consulted a lawyer.”

“Whatever. My son’s household record is with you, so using your spot is only natural. Even if you go complain to the President, it’s useless.” Tom smirked, waving me away like an annoying fly.

“Enough, honey, stop talking to him. We’ve given him enough face.”

The whole family slammed the door shut.

It took me a while to calm down and not faint from rage on the spot. I leaned against the peeling wall, listening to the TV laugh track muffled through the door, wondering if anyone would ever believe this wasn’t just some bad sitcom.

With people this shameless, the law alone wasn’t enough.

Max Harper couldn’t be expelled from school now.

But the law doesn’t say he can’t be transferred.