Page 52 of Single Dad's Fake Bride
The boardroomat Hawthorne Academy hadn't changed since my father's time except that I occupied his place. I took my seat near the head of the table, noting that my sisters had positioned themselves strategically across from me. Caroline wore her navy suit like armor, her blonde hair pulled into a perfect chignon. Margot had chosen black, her expression already set in the disapproving line she'd perfected as a teenager.
Dr. Robert Caldwell called the meeting to order. He'd been an effective board chairman for the past twelve years but recently, I felt he was failing. Theodore Blackwood sat to his right, a stack of legal documents at his elbow.
The atmosphere was hostile from the first word.
"We're here today to discuss the unsuitable transition of leadership at Hawthorne Academy," Dr. Caldwell began, his tone making clear where his loyalties lay. "Edmund Vale's willcontains provisions that this board believes may have been unduly influenced."
Caroline leaned forward. "Harrison manipulated our father during his final months. The marriage requirement is proof of that manipulation."
Her attorney, a sharp-faced man named Peterson, nodded agreement. "My clients have compelling evidence that Mr. Vale exploited his father's deteriorating mental state to secure favorable terms."
"That's completely false," I said, but Theodore Blackwood cut me off with a hand in the air.
"The timing is certainly suspicious," he said, consulting his papers. "What evidence is this?" I was glad Blackwood was on my side.
Dr. Margaret Thornfield, the head of student services, shook her head. "Harrison walked away from this institution when he turned eighteen. He's shown no interest in education, no commitment to our mission, no understanding of what it takes to run a place like Hawthorne."
"He attended parent functions," Dr. Patricia Sterling added dismissively. "That hardly qualifies him to lead an academic institution."
Marcus Henley, the treasurer, pulled out a thick folder. "The financial implications alone are staggering. We're talking about a hundred-million-dollar endowment and an annual operating budget of twelve million. Harrison has never managed anything larger than construction projects. And he doesn't even pay his daughter's tuition. Edmond did that himself."
"I've successfully managed multi-million-dollar developments," I said, feeling defensive. I was halfway to standing as Blackwood waved me back again.
"Building condominiums isn't the same as shaping young minds," Margot shot back. "You've never shownany understanding of educational philosophy or institutional governance."
Dr. Caldwell's voice grew sharper. "There's also the matter of this marriage requirement. Twenty days have passed, and we've seen no evidence that you're taking it seriously."
"Which brings us to the real issue," Margot said. "Harrison can't possibly fulfill the conditions because no reasonable woman would marry him in such a short time in a valid relationship."
Peterson leaned forward. "The board has every right to question whether Mr. Vale is making a mockery of his father's final wishes or if Edmond's requests are in and of themselves a mockery of this school." His eyes narrowed and all eyes turned on me again.
"Are you even trying to meet the requirements?" Dr. Thornfield demanded. "Or are you planning to let the deadline pass so you can claim the will was impossible to fulfill and sue us anyway?"
The accusations came faster now, voices rising as each board member added their objections. They questioned my motives, my capabilities, my commitment to the school. They suggested I was stalling, manipulating, trying to game the system. This was supposed to be a meeting to introduce me to everyone as the new headmaster, set my schedule and salary, and set my pacing for what was expected, and it was turning into a zoo like previous meetings.
I sat through it all, keeping my face neutral while they tore apart my character and competence. Every criticism felt personal because most of them were. These people had watched me grow up, had seen me rebel against my father's vision, had witnessed my rejection of everything the Vale name represented.
"The marriage requirement expires in sixty-nine days," Caldwell said, checking his calendar. "At that point, this boardwill assume full control and begin searching for a qualified headmaster."
"Someone with actual educational credentials," Dr. Sterling added.
"Someone who understands our traditions and values," Dr. Thornfield continued.
"Someone who won't run this institution into the ground," Caroline finished.
The room fell silent except for the tick of the grandfather clock in the corner. Every face was turned toward me, waiting for me to admit defeat, to acknowledge that they were right and I was unqualified, unprepared, unwilling to do what it took.
I thought about Sadie in the hospital corridor, exhausted and overwhelmed but still standing strong. I thought about Eloise's face when she talked about her favorite teacher. I thought about Juan's words.Be all in or back off entirely.
I stood up slowly, smoothing my tie. The chair scraped against the hardwood floor in the sudden quiet.
"I'm engaged."
The words dropped into the room and created chaos like a nuke dropped in the middle of NYC. Margot's face went white, then red. Caroline's mouth fell open. Dr. Caldwell straightened in his chair as if he'd been struck.
"What did you say?" Caroline managed.
"I said I'm engaged. The wedding will take place within the required timeframe."
