Chapter 175 - Was locked

"What do you mean?" The Principal questioned— his voice clearly showing how angry he was at this moment.

Kim Hyojoo stood up straight and said, "On Monday, I was really tired, so Student Jieun approached me and said that she'll be helping me out by locking the library when everyone leaves so that I can go back home early. I agreed to her request and left for home. What happened after that is not something I am clear about."

The Principal slammed his hand down on the table, creating a loud noise, and Kim Hyojoo jumped back. She could easily see how angry the Principal was and knew very well that things did not go well when the Principal was angry.

Kim Hyojoo gulped nervously.

Standing up, the Principal directed a fierce stare towards Hyojoo, and noticing that, Hyojoo shuddered. Lee Aera watched the entire scene unfold whilst wearing a nonchalant expression, and Jinhee's lips curved up— interested in seeing how the Principal will be dealing with this.

"Kim Hyojoo-ssi, is this what I pay you for? For slacking off and creating casualties?" The Principal questioned.

Kim Hyojoo bowed repeatedly and voiced out, "I'm sorry, Principal. I'm sorry. This actions wouldn't be repeated. I'm sorry, Principal. I really am. I won't do something like this again."

"Of course you won't be, Kim Hyojoo-ssi. That's because you are fired," The Principal voiced out, "I don't expect to see you in the school premises after today."

The Principal's words made Kim Hyojoo's eyes widen, and continuing to bow, she frantically said, "Forgive me this time, Principal. I won't such a thing again. I'm really sorry."

Lee Jinhee did not say a word and continued to watch how the Principal will be taking care of this. To the Principal, he will be offending the Lee family if he did something unjustly.

"Han Hyojoo-ssi, because of your irresponsibility, a girl was locked inside the library and got injured to this extent. What if she was hurt more fatally? What if she died? This school cannot afford such mistakes next time around, and there is no forgiveness for this," The Principal voiced out.

"Not only that, you even tried to deny all the accusations in the beginning. I can't keep someone so dishonest under me who is not even guilt ridden over a student's injury," The Principal added.

"I know I wrong. I'm sorry, Principal; I'm sorry, Student Jinhee. Please forgive me, and I'm ready to repent for what I did. Please don't remove me from this job," Hyojoo said.

The Principal did not spare Kim Hyojoo a glance as she repeatedly bowed. Turning towards his desk, the Principal picked up the telephone and typed in a number.

When the call was received, the Principal ordered, "Bring Student Im Jieun from first year to my office right now!"

Putting down the telephone, the Principal stared at Hyojoo strictly and said, "My words are final. Kim Hyojoo-ssi, search for another job because you're not suitable to work at here."

°°°

Few minutes later, the door to the office opened, and Im Jieun walked into the office. Her face was pale, and her face showed how frightened she was at this moment. Her hands and leg shook as she walked into the room.

Bowing politely, Jieun asked, "You called for me, Principal?"

"Student Im Jieun, did I hire you to be a librarian at the school?" The Principal asked.

Looking up, Jieun noticed the stern look the Principal gave her, and Jieun audibly gulped. Her eyes went towards Lee Jinhee who was sitting upon the chair whilst wearing a smiling expression. Im Jieun tightly clenched her hand at that.

"Principal, I don't understand what you are trying to mean," Jieun answered.

"On Monday, you went to the Library and convinced the Librarian, Kim Hyojoo-sii, that you'll be one locking the library so that she can leave early. Isn't that the case?" The Principal asked— raising one of his eyebrows up.

"You're wrong, Principal. Yes, I did lock the library, but I did not convince Teacher Hyojoo," Jieun voiced out, "She came up to me and requested me to do so; She said that she has an important task at home. That's why, I could not reject and accepted her offer."

Hearing the words from Im Jieun, the Librarian's eyes widened, and she turned to look at Jieun. Im Jieun was absolutely lying! This most definitely wasn't what happened; It was Jieun who offered her the help.

"Student Jieun, don't lie on this matter. You were the one who offered your help; I did not ask of you to do so," Kim Hyojoo stated.

Wearing a shocked expression on her face, Jieun turned to look at Hyojoo and said, "Teacher Hyojoo, why are you lying? I was about to walk out of the library when you said that you have an emergency at home and requested for me manage the library," Jieun said— trying her best to sound genuine.

Before the Principal could open his mouth, Lee Jinhee faced Im Jieun and said, "That doesn't matter to me. Jieun, you were the one who locked the library at the end, right?"

Hearing Jinhee's question, Jieun turned to look at Jinhee and voiced out, "Yes, I know I was the one who locked the library, but I did not know you would be there. If I knew about that, then—"

"I was locked into the library? Who told you that? Because I surely did not," Lee Jinhee stated whilst wearing a smirk on her face.

Looking at Jinhee, a chill went down Jieun's spine, and her eyes widened when she realized the meaning behind Jinhee's words. Fear intensified within Jieun. 

Never did she expect Lee Jinhee to be this smart. The entire time Jieun thought that it would be Taehee protecting Jinhee. However, surprisingly, Jinhee dealt with the matter on her own.

"T-Taehee! Yes, her! Taehee is the one who informed about the entire thing," Jieun voiced out, "She told me about the entire matter on how you got injured and was hospitalized."

"Taehee," Jinhee, pretending to think, enunciated, "Hmm."

"Should we bring her here and ask her the questions?" Jinhee questioned whilst wearing a wide smile.