Lost and Found: Return of My Mysterious Fiancee

In the two days that followed, class 22D made rapid progress, and the students’ enthusiasm for learning greatly increased. Those who used to be unwilling even to attend classes were now reluctant to rest after class, with everyone fervently studying with their books in hand.

Professor Lininger felt very gratified seeing their state. Teaching class 22D had been a great challenge for him, and now he felt a sense of achievement. Imagine, a group of good-for-nothing rich kids, who, after his education, had made rapid progress in their studies. Who wouldn’t be happy?

Tina was also busy these two days, personally following up on the progress of class 22D. Although she wasn’t responsible for substituting classes, she had plenty of other things to handle, especially teaching Velma personally.

Velma was far behind the others, and Tina had to take her through the material from the beginning to the end. However, Velma was very smart. She could remember everything after being taught just once. She just hadn’t been looked after properly before-if she had been, her grades would have been quite impressive.

On Friday, the school held a general assembly of all teachers and students. At the beginning of each semester, the school would hold one such meeting, which was supposed to be on Monday. However, due to the change of the Lead Teacher for class 22D and the arrival of Professor Lininger, it was postponed to Friday.

The general assembly featured speeches by Mr. Stiller and some of the outstanding teachers. Mr. Stiller had arranged for Tina to speak, but she had not agreed.

Midway through the assembly, several uniformed individuals entered the room. One of them approached Mr. Stiller and said, “Sorry to interrupt, but we’ve received a report that one of your teachers has forged their credentials. We need to take this teacher back with us for an investigation!”

Mr. Stiller, taken aback, stood up and said, “Could there be some mistake? All our teachers were hired through regular procedures, with certificates verified by the relevant departments. How could there be a forgery?”

“The reported individual is your new teacher, Tina Reed!” the officer said. “May I ask which one is Tina Reed?”

“I am,” said Tina, standing up from among the 22D students, her demeanor calm and composed.

“Please provide your diploma for verification,” the officer said, all business.

This set off a buzz among all the teachers and students present.

“Miss Reed’s diploma is fake? That’s audacious, to forge a diploma!”

“I heard Miss Reed and Mr. Stiller are involved improperly, she was personally recruited by Mr. Stiller. Perhaps he’s involved in the forgery?”

“My goodness, that’s explosive! Mr. Stiller seems so amiable, who would have thought he’d be involved in such underhanded dealings.”

As the murmurs swirled, Tina’s expression turned dark, and Mr. Stiller’s face became ashen. He had already had Tina register her diploma when those parents made a fuss earlier, thinking that would be the end of the problems. He hadn’t expected that during the assembly, officials would come looking. Since all that was required was for a teacher’s diploma to be registered, he hadn’t made Tina’s public, which, in turn, made her situation seem even more singular.

Tina disliked trouble, and he naturally wanted to spare her any. However, the official’s visit during the assembly and making everyone aware of the issue with Tina’s diploma clearly indicated someone wasn’t giving up and believed Tina got her position through backdoor influence.

As Mr. Stiller thought this, he was livid. He was about to speak when Tina said to the officer, “Before you came to investigate me, didn’t you check my information in your system?”

The officer was taken aback, “We came right after receiving the report; please cooperate and provide your diploma.”

“Fascinating!” Tina, with one hand in her pocket, remarked coolly, “You received a report and didn’t verify the information before coming to check the authenticity of my diploma?”

The officer looked uncomfortable but maintained a professional demeanor, “We are following procedures. Please cooperate.”

“How would you like me to cooperate?” Tina asked coldly.

“By providing your diploma for us to verify,” the officer insisted.

“Huh,” Tina scoffed, “Do you carry your diploma around with you when you are out and about?”

The officer became visibly annoyed, “Please do not waste everyone’s time. Provide your diploma immediately.”

“You choose the time during a school meeting to ask for my diploma, do you expect me to conjure one up right here?” Tina’s eyes narrowed, an air of iciness enveloping her.

“If you refuse to provide your diploma, we have reason to suspect it’s a forgery. Please come with us,” the officer said impatiently.

“Go? Impossible!” Tina said expressionless, her voice devoid of emotion.

“Are you refusing to cooperate?” the officer asked sternly.

“It’s not that I won’t cooperate with you, but perhaps you should cooperate with your department to be investigated?” Tina retorted.

The officer was about to respond when Tina pulled out her phone and dialed a number. The call connected quickly, and Tina spoke deliberately, “Chief Kampwerth, I’ve taken a job at Ensford High School, and your department’s people at Ensford police are claiming my diploma is a fake, asking to take me in for investigation. They are now at Ensford High School. How shall we handle this?”

The leading officer’s eyes flickered with panic upon hearing the name Chief Kampwerth. Was Tina calling the Chief of the capital’s main bureau? Impossible! How could someone like Tina, from the countryside, possibly have the phone number of Chief Kampwerth?

“Sorry Miss Reed, I wasn’t aware such a situation would arise. Please hand the phone to the officer, I need to speak with him,” Chief Kampwerth’s voice was calm, but his heart was fuming with anger. Who would dare to be so blind?

Tina glanced at the leading officer and handed him the phone, “For you!”

The officer took the phone, his expression one of doubt, “Hello, who is this?”

“I am Lee Kampwerth. State your department and name.”

Lee Kampwerth! Chief Kampwerth! The officer was stunned.

It really was Chief Kampwerth!

The officer’s face tightened, “Chief Kampwerth, I… I am… Martin Schafer!”

“Alright,” was all Lee Kampwerth said before hanging up.

Martin Schafer stood still, phone in hand, not fully processing what had happened. Not long after, his own phone rang. It was his immediate superior.

As soon as he answered, an onslaught of furious scolding came through, “Martin Schafer! Who gave you the authority to take matters into your own hands and investigate a forgery?”

“I…” “Martin Schafer tried to speak, but the voice on the other end didn’t allow him a chance, “Have you lost your mind? Don’t you think before acting? Would a renowned national school not check diplomas before hiring? Even if they didn’t, is our department’s system just for show?”Property of Nô)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

“You don’t even check and just go ahead with the investigation? What are you thinking?”

The caller was clearly livid, ranting on before angrily saying, “You’re fired. Pack your things and get out!”