“The university has to expel him!"
The whole scene had spun completely out of control.
Roland wiped the sweat from his forehead and put on a show of grave concern.
“Everyone, please, calm down! The university will handle this seriously. There will be no leniency!"
He turned to me and lowered his voice.
“See that? This is what you get for calling the cops. The whole campus knows now. The story's already out of anyone's hands. Your son is finished."
Keith leaned against the wall, his face ashen.
Then he suddenly shouted out toward the crowd.
“This has nothing to do with me! I stopped thinking of him as my son a long time ago! It's his mother who insisted on protecting him!"
Christian stood behind me, both fists clenched, his body trembling faintly.
“Mom……"
I gripped his cold hand.
“Don't lower your head."
“Let them film. The clearer, the better."
A middle-aged man in a sharp suit shoved his way through the crowd.
It was the Vice President of Kingsport University, Dean Whitney.
He took in the chaos filling the office, his brow knotting into a hard line.
“All this shouting and squabbling—it's a disgrace! Everyone, out!"
Dean Whitney walked in, glanced at Layla, then glanced at Christian.
“Roland, what's going on here?"
Roland scurried over and gave him the story, laying it on thick.
When Dean Whitney had heard him out, he turned to me, his expression dark.
“Ma'am, this university is a place for teaching and raising young people. It is not some market stall for you people to make a scene in."
His tone left no room for argument.
“This is an extremely serious matter. To calm the students' anger and protect the reputation of this university, Christian is to be suspended immediately for reflection and to submit to a full investigation. For the duration of the investigation, all of his eligibility for honors and awards is revoked."
He looked at Christian.
“You. Bow and apologize to Layla right now, then go home and reflect on what you've done."
Keith looked as though he'd just been pardoned.
“Thank you, Dean! Thank you for your generosity!"
He whipped around and barked at Christian “What are you waiting for? Apologize!"
I looked at Dean Whitney and didn't move.
“Dean Whitney. Suspension? An apology?"
“Is this how you people run an education? No verification, no evidence, and whoever cries the loudest wins?"
Dean Whitney's face darkened.
“Ms. Fox, the camera on the north side of the library has been broken for a month. That was an oversight by the facilities department. But the injuries on Layla are real! Are we supposed to protect an abuser and break a victim's heart?"
“The camera's broken, is it?"
I nodded.
“Fine."
Right then, the shrill wail of sirens rose up from downstairs.
Red and blue lights flashed alternately beyond the window.
The officers had arrived.
Two uniformed officers strode into the office.
The lead officer swept his eyes around the room.
“Who called it in?"
I raised my hand.
“I did."
The officer took one look at the standoff in the room.
“What's the situation? The call said attempted assault and extortion?"
Layla stumbled down off the couch and dropped to her knees in front of the officer.
“Officer, please, help me……he wants to hurt me……"
She pointed at Christian, showing off the scratches on her body and her torn clothes.
“I'm just a poor girl from the countryside, I have no power, no connections……their family has money, they want to drive me to my death……"
Those few hot-headed boys immediately joined in the uproar.
“Officer, we can all testify! Christian is scum!"
“That's right! You have to arrest him!"
The lead officer frowned and looked at Christian.
“Did you do it?"
Christian stood ramrod straight, his gaze open and clear.
