Chapter 6 The city streets flew past the window in a blur , like scenes from another lifetime . That's when my phone rang , breaking the quiet . " Principal Martinez " flashed on the screen . I looked at Jaxon , figuring he'd just decline the call , but he hit speaker instead . The principal's slimy voice came through , all fake - friendly and condescending : " Mrs. Martinez , I'm prepared to give you another shot here . Have your daughter write up an apology admitting she made everything up about Ms. Rodriguez , and I might let her sit in on some classes . As for your job situation ... well , actions have consequences . But if you play ball with us , maybe I can smooth things over with your employer , tell them it was all a big misunderstanding . " He paused , sounding like he was doing us this huge favor : " Look , single parenting is tough . You don't want this getting messier than it already is , right ? Think about your reputation . " I was so pissed I was literally trembling , about to go off on him , but Jaxon shook his head at me . He grabbed the phone , his voice completely flat : " I'm the kid's father . " There was obvious confusion on the other end , followed by a nasty laugh : " Oh , dad finally shows up ? Playing the tough guy now ? Listen buddy , I don't know who you think you are , but let me tell you ... " " Mr. Martinez . " Jaxon cut him right off , his voice dropping to freezing . " Last month there was a $ 300,000 donation from the city education fund earmarked specifically for your school's library renovation . Is that money sitting in your school accounts right now ? " Complete silence on the other end . I could just picture that greedy principal sweating bullets right about now . After like five seconds , his voice came back all shaky and scared : " Who ... who is this ? How would you that ? " know about " Doesn't matter who I am . " " What matters is I'M the guy who made that donation . " " Now get Ms. Rodriguez and Dr. Peterson and wait for me in that math office . " $ 1.3.1 % Chapter 6 You've got fifteen minutes . I'm coming to show you how this actually works . And we're gonna have a nice chat about what happens when people steal taxpayer money . " " Click ... " Jaxon hung up and tossed the phone back to me . Without another word , he whipped the car around in a sharp U - turn . The tires screamed against the pavement as we sped back toward the school . Principal Martinez , Dr. Peterson , and Ms. Rodriguez were standing in the middle of the office like three deer caught in headlights . The principal's jowls were sagging , sweat stains spreading across his collar . Dr. Peterson's makeup was smeared and she kept looking everywhere except at us . And Ms. Rodriguez - the woman who'd been so full of herself before - was pale as a ghost , her lips trembling , not daring to make eye contact with anyone . When they saw us walk in, especially when they saw Jaxon , Ms. Rodriguez actually flinched . Jaxon didn't even glance at them . He turned to the two guys in black suits behind us and said , " Bring it in. " The door opened and they carried in this huge , brand - new whiteboard , setting it up right in the middle of the office . All three of them jumped like they'd been shocked . " Mr ... Mr. Sullivan ... " The principal shuffled forward a half - step , forcing this horrible fake smile . " Look , this is all just a big misunderstanding ! We really appreciate your donation and ... " " Shut up . " Jaxon cut him off . " This isn't about money right now . " He walked over to the whiteboard and picked up a black marker , gently placing it in my daughter's small hand . He knelt down and spoke softly , just loud enough for the three of us to hear : " Sweetheart , don't be scared . Go ahead and write it . Write down that problem that caused you all this trouble . " My daughter was still shaking slightly . She looked at me , then at the encouraging look on Jaxon's face . I wrapped my hand around hers , both of us gripping that marker together . 40 % Chapter 7 Chapter 7