Chapter 620 Nightmare of a Teaching Career
What did he think?
This was definitely not what he expected at all.
Martin hung his head in shame and remained silent to the question posed to him.
“To be fair, not all blame lies with Mr. Kamp here.” Elise suddenly spoke up in a carefree manner. “We were taught to pursue the truth of any matter as part of our country’s compulsory education for 9 years. Since Mr. Kamp grew up abroad, it is normal for him to make careless mistakes every once in a while.”
“It’s good that you understand.” Martin continued, “However, I am not ignorant of the things of this country. How did that saying go again? Ah yes, even angels make mistakes. What more so for when I am but a humble teacher? However, this is still no excuse for me to commit such a blunder.”
Nevertheless, some of the students failed to suppress themselves and burst out in laughter.
Martin’s pride was affected by their laughter as though they were making light of him. His expression turned cold as he scolded the ones laughing, “What are you all laughing at? Is such a serious matter amusing to you all?”
One of the male students couldn’t watch this go on any longer. He sighed then muttered to the teacher, “Mr. Kamp, what Elise is saying is that you are but a fugitive that slipped through the net of the 9 years of compulsory education…”
The moment the student explained what Elise meant, Sheldon and Elliot stopped their tomfoolery and laughed much louder than any others before them.
Martin’s pride took another hit, which led him to lash out at Elise. “Miss Sinclair, you must think you’re so knowledgeable that you’re nit-picking on my words to take a jab at me right now!”
“Ahem—” Leon faked his cough to interrupt Martin before reminding him in a whisper, “A teacher should behave like a teacher. Control that attitude of yours!”
“Mr. Haas, I didn’t mean to lash out like that. It was all because of Elise; she thinks too highly of herself!” Martin continued to argue, “It’s true that I have misunderstood her, but it does not excuse her from speaking out of turn and humiliating a teacher!”
“Mr. Kamp, it’s best if you stop making a big deal out of everything. Is there any falsehood to what Elise had said? You have not attended 9 years of compulsory education before, have you?” Sheldon remarked, albeit in a slightly provocative tone. “Unless you are trying to say that Elise had fabricated the part where you grew up abroad?”
“That’s impossible! I am a proud citizen of Mesdra!” Martin’s arrogance rose sharply as he spoke those words.
However, this sentence had upset the entire class.
Was abandoning one’s nationality such a thing to be proud of?
Martin was quick on the uptake that the air in the room was turning from bad to worse, and so tried to move on to another topic. “Forget it. I’m not going to be bothered by these small details. Since this was all just a big misunderstanding, then let us call it a day here. Mr. Haas, let me escort you back. I still need to report to you about the students’ recent academic progress.”
“Hold it,” Elise called out to the teacher. “Mr. Kamp, I’m afraid you’re forgetting something here.”
“That’s right! Don’t think of running away now!” Sheldon gave Elliot a signal with his eyes. The two then blocked the two exits of the classroom, with one standing guard on each side.
“Sheldon! Elliot! Just what do you think you’re doing?!” Martin was furious as he slammed his hands on the table before shouting in rage, “What you’re doing now is an unlawful restriction of another’s personal freedom! Elise did not break any laws, yet here you two are trying to do so?!”
“That is true. Sheldon, Elliot, what you did was slightly out of boundaries. Go back to your seats first,” Leon said warmly.
Sheldon folded his arms in response. “We will take our seats, but I would like to remind Mr. Kamp to honor his word of resigning as the homeroom teacher. Otherwise, I will never attend another class from this school ever again!”
“Same here!” Elliot joined in.
Martin’s expression turned grim as he gritted his teeth fiercely. If looks could kill, both Sheldon and Elliot would be dead by now.
After determining the option Leon chose, Martin had only one way out of this matter. “Miss Bowen, stand up right now!”
Sophie jolted as though she was struck by lightning. With a confused expression, she stood up.
With no words exchanged, Martin proceeded to reprimand the student. “Miss Bowen, I have always had high hopes for you. Why would you set up your classmate like this? You’d better tell the truth to everyone now. You brought the video to me so that I’ll be the one pulling the trigger for you, is that right?!”
“I… I…” Sophie could not find the words to retort him, for she had not expected Martin to sell her out like this.
“The phone was yours, and the video was on your phone. Admit it! You still have a chance to atone for your mistakes. I should warn you that I have my ways of finding evidence of your foul play should you keep denying it, so you better think carefully on what your next answer is.” Martin spoke in a manner that seemed to insinuate that it was not his fault on this matter.
It was clear to see what Martin was trying to suggest to Sophie: He would protect her as long as she took the blame for this.
However, it was at this moment that the sound of someone clapping resonated from the backdoor of the classroom.
It was a slow yet loud clap, the ones the audience would give when applauding a performance of a theater show.
Martin felt a chill run down his spine. With a sense of bad premonition, he turned his head to find Kenneth standing by the door. He’s here!
He knitted his brows and kept blinking while telling himself that the sight before him was just a mere illusion.
Yet no matter how much he blinked, Kenneth stood still by the door with a mocking smile on his face.
Martin pinched himself in an attempt to avoid the reality he was facing. As he was hissing from the pain he felt from his own pinching, his mind came to a realization—Kenneth was not an illusion.
Kenneth Bailey—the nightmare of his teaching career—was someone he could never predict.
“Mr. Kamp really has a way with words. Just a few sentences are enough for him to convince a student to take the blame for him. To be able to misdirect others with just his words, Mr. Kamp truly is an excellent teacher, a fine example for teachers everywhere!” Kenneth continued to shower his “praise” on Martin.
Martin could barely hold his expression together now that his scheme was seen through. Nevertheless, the only option left for him was to double down on his claim. “I am merely stating my truth in this matter. The video given to me was from Miss Bowen. You can question her if you don’t believe me.”
Kenneth took a glance at Sophie, who was at the front of the classroom, then indifferently turned his attention back to Martin. “We shall leave the matter of who brought the video to you for another time. Since we are all educated people here, we should be settling everything by order. The first matter we should be settling is the accusation Mr. Kamp had made against Miss Sinclair. Regardless of the motives Mr. Kamp had for doing so, you should be holding up your end of the agreement, am I wrong?”
“That’s right! We were so close to being led by the nose!” Sheldon was the first to get a hold of himself. He then continued in a loud voice, “The agreement before was that if Elise was found innocent in this matter, then Mr. Kamp should resign from his position as the homeroom teacher. You should stop complicating this matter with another!”
After making his statement heard, Sheldon turned his gaze to Kenneth.
Just who is this guy with such high rationality? Don’t tell me it’s another one of Boss’ suitors?
Jamie, you failed to seize your chance whenever the opportune moment for the hero to save a damsel in distress presents itself. This is partly the reason why you still failed to capture Boss’ heart…
Jamie—who was criticized out of left field—had a questioning look on his face.
“Mr. Haas, what are you waiting for?” Kenneth’s tone was casual but carried an inexplicable solemnity to it.
“I…” Leon was slightly hesitant in giving the final verdict. Considering how prideful Martin was, he thought that Martin might not accept the demotion and would choose to quit his job in a fit of anger instead. Should that come to pass, Tissote University would lose another elite.
Truth be told, the faculty of the university gradually turned into a shell of its glory years as time went on, as every one of the better teachers was being poached left and right by the Polytechnic University. Right now, Tissote University was fine on the surface but was already facing immediate danger of being understaffed.
It was for the above reasons that Leon could not afford to underestimate the loss should his decision lead to Martin leaving the university in a fit of anger.
“I have heard rumors that Mr. Haas is someone who greatly cherishes the talented. I see that the rumors were true after all.” Kenneth then cast his glance sideways deliberately and slowly to speak to the one behind him. “Johnny, how about you introduce yourself and your academic experiences to Mr. Haas here?”
