Money Was Her Top Priority

It was the most awkward ride with silence descending upon them since she got into the car. Zoe was not a fool to think that the woman was giving her a lift out of the goodness of her heart. Mrs. Alicante was just doing so to save face in front of her son.

"You know, I usually take you for cold and unapproachable. But it seems you are rather reserved." 

"Huh?" Zoe was roused from her thoughts. "Oh." It dawned on her what the woman was talking about. 

While the other teachers did everything to please some of the student's parents, especially those on the board of directorship, Zoe did the opposite. Aside from school issues and the well-being of their children, she did not have a close relationship with the parents. Zoe had seen how most of the teachers bootlicked the kid's parents just to be in their good grace and she could not do just that.