Heiress' Househusband is a Secret Billionaire - Chapter 226

Chapter 226: Some Were a Godsend, Some Induced Nightmares

<.Blossom Phoenix Middle School.>

That Tuesday noon, Lariette headed to the language faculty room, her steps were light. After leaving the sixth grade’s class, she had free time until the end of the school hour.

Lariette was going to have a meeting with Nora, Howard and Mr. Eastwood in the faculty room. Considering everyone’s schedule was free from noon, they decided to hold the meeting earlier than previously set.

‘I gonna text Eddy before I go home.’

Smiling to herself, Lariette’s mind wandered to Ruediger who worked at home today. He asked if she wanted him to come pick her up, either by the truck or on foot, but she declined.

Ruediger had accompanied Lariette this morning, walking to school as his new routine. He said getting some fresh air before working would help him to be more productive.

Even though the distance between the apartment and the school was short, Lariette told Ruediger to just stay at home. She didn’t want to bother him more than necessary.

Once Lariette reached the faculty room, she reached for the door handle. She saw someone’s silhouette through the curtains.

“Miss Elsher, you’re here.”

“Hello, Mr. Eastwood.”

Lariette politely greeted Mr. Eastwood who arrived earlier than her. The middle-aged man sat on a couch in the seating area, reading a newspaper.

Mr. Eastwood had joined the school for over two weeks already, but he still formally addressed everyone here. Once, he asked Lariette whether to call her by her maiden surname or her married one.

Lariette opted for the former.

The teachers, and also including the rest of the staff, were already used to her maiden surname. She didn’t mind not changing it. After all, everyone was aware that she was already married.

“Nora and Howard should arrive soon,” Lariette said as she placed her bag and books on the meeting table. While pulling out a chair to sit, she glanced at Mr. Eastwood, “Have you eaten? It’s already lunch hour.”

“I’ll eat after our meeting. Thank you for asking. You’ve just come from your last class, right?”

Mr. Eastwood folded the newspaper, placing it on the coffee table before him. Standing up, he approached the meeting table.

“Yes, with the sixth graders,” Lariette answered, followed by soft chuckles, “The kids have started asking me about the stalls. They can’t wait to know the details.”

Even though the stalls were mostly operated by the students in the eighth grade, also the seventh, the excitement still ran through the sixth graders. Everyone anticipated this year’s Sports Day.

Mr. Eastwood sat across from Lariette. With a soft smile on his lips, he said, “I’ve only started teaching here this month, but I can tell we have good students. It’s good that they balance their studies with extracurricular activities.”

Lariette understood that Mr. Eastwood meant. Principal Smith encouraged the students not to glue themselves only to books. They had to focus on life outside the classrooms too.

“You’ve been teaching for decades, right?” Lariette returned Mr. Eastwood’s smile. She couldn’t help but admire his vast experience, “I’m sure it’s not easy, but fulfilling.”

“Oh, don’t let me start,” Mr. Eastwood laughed, shaking his head slightly, “Yes, it’s not always a smooth ride. I’ve met many kinds of students and parents.”

Lariette stifled her laughter, understanding what Mr. Eastwood meant. Some parents could be a Godsend, while others induce nightmares. During the short period of her teaching career, she had faced both types.

While Lariette and Mr. Eastwood were chatting, Nora and Howard appeared.

“Lari, Mr. Eastwood,” Nora approached the table, pulling out the chair beside Lariette, “Did you wait too long?”

“No, I’ve just arrived,” Lariette chuckled, looking at Nora before shifting her gaze to Howard, “Should we start now?”

“Yes!”

The crisp early autumn breeze blew past the trees outside the school buildings as Lariette and her colleagues began their meeting. The golden afternoon sunlight streamed through the windows, bathing them under its rays.

This would be their final planning meeting before they would gather the clubs’ representatives. They aimed to do it before this week ended, or the beginning of the next one.

“Should we go over a few key points?” Nora suggested while jotting notes down in her planner, “We have thirteen clubs, am I right? The focus is on selling food, drinks, handmade crafts and even a few games.”

Lariette nodded. She flipped through her own planner as she said, “Yes, thirteen clubs. We need to make sure each club has an assigned spot near the field. But we can’t block the main track or the seating areas.”

The middle school had a vast field where the students often got active. Its space could accommodate the students, also the participating parents.

Some of the middle schoolers opted to play basketball, and also badminton during recess time. The school gardeners took good care of the field. The students were also assigned to assist them on a weekly basis.

Mr. Eastwood adjusted his glasses as he quietly listened to Lariette and Nora. Calmly looking at his new colleagues, he asked, “What about the booth placement? We need to be careful with the littering issue and people crowding the area if they’re too close to the field.”

“Good point,” Horace said. He tapped his pen against his notepad, “Well, the food and drink booths can be closer to the entrance, in my opinion. We already have picnic benches there.”

“I think…” Nora chimed in, she leaned forward, “How about placing the art and game booths along the walkway near the gym? We’ll have games held there too.”

Lariette, Howard and Mr. Eastwood hummed in agreement, approving Nora’s statement. Then, the middle-aged teacher came up with another question.

“About the food and drink booths,” Mr. Eastwood raised his hand, “Did the administration permit the students to prepare and sell homemade food? I know that some schools are stricter with this stuff.”

Howard grinned. Rubbing the back of his neck, he said, “We need to follow some conditions. Nothing that requires cooking on the spot, and they’ve to clearly display the allergy caution.”

Mr. Eastwood hummed, thinking of another thing, “What about the drinks? It’ll be a lot chillier during the Sports Day. I guess the students would love something warm.”

“That’s true,” Nora leaned back against the chair. Tilting her head, she said, “We need to make sure we have enough power outlets nearby. The students might want to use kettles or portable warmers.”

Lariette scribbled on her planner, “Let’s check with the logistics team. Maybe we can arrange for extension cords. If not, we gonna have to limit the students to thermoses. Tho I also think they might look for iced drinks since they’ll get all hot and sweaty after playing.”

“I’ll do that,” Howard raised his hand, volunteering himself, “Connor leads the logistics. I’ll ask him tomorrow. Better to sort it out quickly.”

Connor was one of the History subject teachers. His cubicle in the teachers’ lounge was right next to Howard. Both men could be considered quite close among the other colleagues.

“Thanks, Howard. We’ll let you handle that part,” Nora glanced at her note before adding, “Hmm… Oh, we need to remind the students about the pricing.”

“Ah, that’s true,” Lariette agreed, understanding what Nora meant, “They shouldn’t sell something too expensive.”

“Yup, yup.”

As the meeting progressed further, the time continued ticking, nearing the end of school hours. The students couldn’t wait to go home as their teachers concluded the lessons.

The school gate was still shut when a black limousine sped down the streets, approaching the school district, its appearance a menace under the blazing sunlight.