The next morning, I walked through the school gates with steady steps. My hair was neatly arranged, my clothes simple yet dignified, and hanging from my hand was a bag filled with the evidence my assistant had gathered the night before. The moment my arrival became known, the security guard, who was usually relaxed, suddenly stood at attention, while the administrative staff hurried to inform the school administration. It seemed my assistant had done her job well, because they were welcoming my arrival.
Before I could knock on the principal's office door, it swung wide open. The principal, who usually spoke in a loud, rigid tone, now stood with an extremely respectful demeanor, looking even a little nervous.
"Ms. Alena... please come in. Please, have a seat," he said warmly, gesturing toward the cushioned chair in front of his desk. He only sat down after I had calmly taken my seat. "Please forgive me if anything we've done has offended you. I never imagined that you were Maya's mother."
I placed the bag on my lap and looked at him calmly, though my gaze was sharp. "Thank you for the welcome, sir. But I didn't come here to exchange pleasantries."
The principal nodded quickly, his hands clasped together on the desk as though trying to contain his anxiety. "Of course, of course. I heard a little about it from yesterday's phone call. What exactly happened? If a student has done something wrong, I assure you, they will be dealt with firmly according to the rules."
I took out a printed photograph showing the strange scar on Maya's body, along with a written report from the student who had run into me yesterday afternoon. The principal's face instantly turned pale when he saw them.
"This isn't simply a matter of doing something wrong, sir," I said softly but firmly. "This is cruelty carried out again and again. My daughter suffered alone, too afraid to tell anyone, and that wound remains on her body. Where was the school's supervision all this time?"
Cold sweat began to dampen his temples. He knew exactly who Alena really was—a name always associated with integrity, strength, and an influence too formidable for anyone to take lightly. He knew that if Alena wished it, the school's reputation could collapse in an instant if he failed to act fairly. Her appearance did not match the principal's expectations, however, because Alena looked extremely young... far too young.
"I... I sincerely apologize, Ms. Alena," he said remorsefully. "We were truly negligent. I promise I'll summon the parents of the students involved today. I'll demand that they take responsibility. And I guarantee this will not happen again—not even for a second—at this school."
I stared intently at him. "I'm not asking for special treatment for my daughter. I'm only asking for justice. If the school can't guarantee the safety of its students, then what purpose does it serve? And remember, I will not remain silent if Maya receives any kind of retaliatory threat after this."
"Absolutely, ma'am! I swear it on my life," he replied quickly, completely submitting to the determination radiating from me. "I'll call them right now. Would you be willing to wait a moment?"
I nodded slowly. "Go ahead. I want to see for myself how they take responsibility for what they've done."
When the principal left the room, I looked again at the small photograph of Maya that I had tucked into my shirt pocket. My resolve grew even firmer. I didn't care how influential their parents were or how many excuses they might offer—today was the day the truth would stand tall, and no one would be able to protect them from the consequences of their actions.
Suddenly, someone knocked from outside. Everyone immediately turned toward the door. Several parents dressed in expensive clothes entered the room. They lifted their chins arrogantly.
Just wait and see if you can still act so arrogant, I thought. I was about to speak when the door was knocked on again.
"Excuse me. I'd like to report something," said someone who wasn't one of the students' parents as he entered the room.
I flinched when I looked at him. There was no mistake—he was the man who had run into me several days ago. Why was he here? Was it just a coincidence? Or had he followed me all the way here?
The man merely smiled and looked at the people gathered in the room. He wasn't affected in the slightest by the tense atmosphere.
His arrival put me on alert. After facing countless dangers over the years, my instincts had become highly trained. I felt that his presence here was no coincidence. He had followed me here deliberately.