Shadows of the Forgotten Heiress

The vice principal guided Seraphina through the academy, his steps eager, his expression hopeful. As they completed the tour, he turned to her with a bright smile.

"Madam, what do you think?" he asked, eyes glimmering with anticipation.

Seraphina, clad in an impeccably tailored business suit, crossed her arms thoughtfully. "Well, good for now. There can be some changes. I'll ask the board for approval."

She glanced at him, her gaze sharp yet calm. "If you have any suggestions, you can email me. I'll ensure the board considers them as well."

The vice principal nodded rapidly, almost bouncing on his feet. "Yes... yes... yes!"

However, it was an unspoken rule that only the principal and the academy's in-charge were allowed to participate in board meetings or suggest improvements. Whether his suggestions would hold any weight remained uncertain.

Seraphina checked her watch and said, "Let's eat at the cafeteria."

And so, both made their way to the academy's dining hall. 

Outside the academy, Nolan Hawke, assistant to the renowned businessman Alistair Blackwood, stood alongside him. They were engaged in a conversation with the dean, who held out ID cards and guest passes for them to enter the premises.

"Sir, thank you for considering an investment in our new project," the dean said respectfully. "But I must clarify that the decision is not mine to make. You will need to meet with the principal. She alone can propose this to the board."

Nolan quirked an eyebrow. "So, a new principal was finally chosen?"

The dean chuckled. "Yes, she just arrived today. She's exceptionally talented and, honestly, overqualified for the position. But she admired our academy's values, so the board offered her the role."

Nolan hummed thoughtfully, but Alistair appeared lost in his own world, his gaze roaming the academy grounds. His expression was unreadable, filled with something akin to nostalgia. After all, this place held the most cherished memories of his youth.

Nolan shook his head, choosing to ignore Alistair's absent-mindedness. Instead, he strode forward, leaving his employer behind.

Upon reaching the principal's office, the assistant inside greeted them. "You're early. The principal and vice principal are having a meal in the cafeteria. You can wait inside."

Both men nodded and took their seats inside the office.

Moments later, laughter echoed from the hallway as Seraphina and the vice principal entered the room.

The lightness in her demeanor disappeared the instant her eyes landed on the unexpected visitors. Composing herself, she walked over to her desk, sitting with an air of quiet authority.

The dean greeted her, but Nolan's gaze lingered on Seraphina with a flicker of suspicion. There was something... familiar about her.

Seraphina blinked at him. "Anything?"

Realizing he had been staring, Nolan cleared his throat. "Madam Principal, here is our proposal."

He handed her the documents, watching as she began reading.

Nolan's mind buzzed. She looks familiar. Should I ask? No, what if she thinks I'm flirting? Forget it. The proposal is more important.

He observed her as she read— she couldn't be more than twenty-four or twenty-five. Young for a principal. But her sharp eyes and poised demeanor spoke volumes.

A flick of her hand in front of his face snapped him from his thoughts. "Where are you lost, mister?"

"Nolan," he replied instinctively.

Seraphina raised a brow. "Mr. Nolan, your proposal is interesting. You offer to invest without expecting returns, but you want public acknowledgment for it."

Nolan nodded confidently. "Well, our company is a major brand. Visibility is important."

Seraphina cut him off with a dismissive wave. "So what? Our academy is financially secure. We don't need outside investments."

She leaned forward, her piercing gaze locking onto him. "Unless... this investment is purely for the future of our students and the nation's growth, I will not bring it to the board. If this is just a marketing ploy to attach your company's name to ours, then I refuse."

The room fell silent.

Nolan held his breath as the tension thickened. Seraphina turned to the dean, her voice ice-cold. "Dean, do not entertain middlemen who seek to profit off the academy. We are an institution, not an advertising tool."

Nolan clenched his jaw but didn't argue. With a brief nod, he exited the office.

Outside, he found Alistair waiting with a knowing smile. "They didn't agree, did they?"

Nolan sighed. "I thought—"

Alistair's smile vanished as he reached into Nolan's bag, retrieving another file. He handed it to him without a word.

"Give this to the principal. She will agree."

Nolan hesitated, curiosity burning within him. He made a move to open it, but Alistair's hand pressed firmly on the folder.

"It's time for the principal to leave. Hurry."

Understanding the urgency, Nolan nodded and rushed back inside.

Bursting into the office, Nolan cleared his throat, "Apologies for interrupting, Madam Principal. I suggest you review this proposal once more."

Seraphina's gaze darkened. "Where is the person who gave this to you?"

Caught off guard, Nolan coughed to mask his surprise. He feigned ignorance, hoping she would let it slide. Both remained silent for few seconds.

Childish!

Seraphina rolled her eyes but accepted the file. Silence filled the room as she read through its contents. Five minutes passed before she finally spoke.

"I will present this to the board tomorrow. If the majority agrees, we will send a representative to your company to finalize the deal."

Nolan's lips curled into a triumphant smile. "Understood."

He turned to leave, but not before stealing one last glance at the woman who had so easily dismissed him yet agreed without hesitation this time.

As Nolan exited, leaving the proposal on her desk, Seraphina let out a deep breath and turned to the dean. He was staring at her, a mix of surprise and confusion on his face.

Wordlessly, she slid the document toward him. "Read it."

The dean hesitated before picking up the file. As his eyes scanned the pages, his expression shifted from curiosity to sheer astonishment. His hand instinctively patted the table in excitement. "This... This is a huge investment! Good... good!"

Seraphina's gaze sharpened. She raised an eyebrow at his unrestrained reaction.

Realizing his lack of composure, the dean immediately straightened himself, clearing his throat. "Apologies, Madam. I lost my composure."

Seraphina merely hummed, her eyes drifting back to the file. This is a huge opportunity for the students... but the old board members won't agree so easily,

Seraphina thought, as her fingers tapping lightly against the desk. "I'll need a solid plan to convince them."

Her mind whirred with strategies. The board valued prestige, stability, and legacy above all else. She would have to frame the proposal in a way that aligned with their principles while ensuring the students received the best possible opportunities.

She closed the file with a decisive snap. "I'll handle this. Schedule a meeting with the board."

The dean nodded swiftly, recognizing the determination in her eyes.