Page 143 of Timeless

“His grades are great, Miss Shields. He is one of the top students in his grade.” She was sucking up. “Which is why we need to talk about his future.” She glanced at Jax and then her eyes were back on me. “More importantly, his future here.”

I wanted to scoff but didn’t. “What’s the problem, Jennifer? If my son’s grades are excellent, I don’t see a problem.”

Her polite smile disappeared. “Miss Shields—”

“Amber. You have known me for a while now, Jennifer,” I interrupted her. “Please, go ahead with what you were saying.” I was using my business professional side.

“As I was saying, you know the school has values and standards.” She couldn’t stop herself from glancing at Jax, “And you have to understand that we have to withhold those values and standards.”

“You saying Jack doesn’t meet your school’s values? Really? He is only six. What has he done to deserve this?” I couldn’t stop myself from snapping. Because we both knew Jack hadn’t done anything.

“We don’t just look at Jack, we look at his family as well. And Amber, as you can understand, other parents and staff are questioning whether Saint Thomas is the right fit for Jack.” She glanced down at the paperwork in front of her and looked back up. “I am going to be blunt. Knowledge of your family’s situation has led to this decision.” Her eyes went to Jax. “Also, we were just informed that you, Jackson, and the fact you just got out of prison.”

“Don’t see how me getting out of prison should factor into whether Jack attends your school or not.” Jax, spoke for the first time and I heard the sharpness in his voice.

I knew right now Jax was holding back. He always did have good control over his temper.

“I have given Jack’s situation a lot of thought and unfortunately, Saint Thomas isn’t the place for your son.” She made herself very clear.

I nodded. “Okay.” I wasn’t going to fight the decision. I knew there was no point. “I’m assuming all my donations and Jack’s tuition will be refunded.”

“Yes, of course.” She turned to her computer. “So, I will make sure Jack’s tuition is refunded and according to our records, there are no donations.” She gave me a slight smug smile. “But of course, if Will has donated on behalf of you, we will refund his money directly to him.”

I narrowed my eyes at her. “You’ve spoken to Will, haven’t you?”

“He may have given some insight into Jack’s current family circumstances.” She kept the smug look on her face.

I hated Will a little bit more. “I didn’t donate under the last name Shield. I donated using Jackson’s last name, Johnston. If you could check your files again but this time search for A. Johnston.”

She turned her attention back to the computer and I happily watched her smug expression disappear from her face.

“As you said, all my donations will be returned. Also, as for the scholarships I sponsor, I will be taking that funding as well.” I knew right now she was panicking but she was the one kicking Jack out and not me. If Jack went, so did my support for their school.

Her shocked expression amused me. And then I watched as she realized what a fuck up she had made.

“Miss Shield… Amber, I had no idea you were Mrs. Johnston.” She was quickly trying to explain her situation.

“It’s not Mrs.,” I corrected her mistake. “It’s Miss.”

She smiled, panicked. “I think we are looking at this situation all wrong.” She pushed her paperwork aside. “Jack is a bright, smart young boy, who isn’t getting challenged enough in his current environment. What we should be discussing is putting him in a high grade.”

“Jennifer. I know the money I have donated is helping build your new arts building and also paying for the improvements to the gym. I understand that me pulling this money will leave both construction projects unfunded and not complete. But as you can understand you haven’t given me a choice.”

I was done with this conversation. I stood up.

“Amber, let’s not make any harsh decisions. This is Jack’s education and life we are talking about. Being in this environment at Saint Thomas might give him a chance in life he wouldn’t have.” She was also on her feet, hoping I wouldn’t leave. But what she had just said hit a nerve.

I couldn’t stop myself, even if I wanted to. She had just pissed me off. “Let me tell you this, my son will be whatever he wants to be. If he wants to be like his father and uncles, I won’t stop him. If he starts his criminal record tomorrow, I don’t care. I just want him happy.”

She opened her mouth but there was nothing she could say now.

“Anyway, I don’t know why you are begging for my money, after all, it’s dirty.” I gave her smile. “Have fun explaining to the board how you just lost them over seven million. And I expect that money in my account by five today.”

I was ready to leave but Jax was hanging back. I stopped at the door with my hand on the doorknob, ready to go. Why was he not following me?

“You think you can just expel my son because of me? And I won’t react?” Jax was standing now, and Jennifer literally was taking steps back even though there was a desk in between them. But one look at Jax and you knew he could flip that desk and have you by the throat in a second.

“Jax, leave her, she isn’t worth it.” I tried to get him to calm down, because I heard the edge in his voice. His voice was calm and I knew when that type of calm came he was usually furious and about to do something drastic.

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