Walter's voice softened. He didn't care about recognition. That was the problem. People took the work and remembered the logo. Lisa looked up at the plaque.
Not the man. Walter nodded. Exactly. Karen finally stepped forward. This is not the appropriate setting for a historical discussion.
Maya turned toward her. Why not? Karen exhaled. Because today's incident still needs to be investigated. Walter faced her.
And who investigates the institution? Karen stiffened. That's unfair, is it? Walter pointed toward Maya. She reported harassment.
Karen said nothing. She showed you edited videos. Nothing. She told you Evan had blocked and provoked her. Karen glanced toward the crowd.
Walter continued. You advised the scholarship student to stay away from the donor's daughter. Maya watched Karen's face. There was fear there now. Not fear of Maya.
Fear of the story becoming visible. Walter lifted his visitor badge. I joined the community advisory board because David asked people like me to stay involved after he died. He believed Crown Bridge could still be useful if someone kept reminding it who community actually meant. Maya's eyes widened.
You joined because of him? Walter nodded. He trained me in Room 214. The words landed quietly. Walter looked older suddenly.
Not weaker. More human. I was working maintenance nights back then. 50 hours, some weeks. I couldn't have paid for lessons.
David never asked me to. Maya stared at him. He taught you. Every Tuesday and Thursday for almost three years. Walter smiled faintly.
He complained about my balance. Despite everything, Maya almost laughed. You complain about mine. I learned from the best. The moment softened the room.
Then Walter turned back toward Brooke. Your family's money may have names on buildings. Brooke's face hardened. But Maya's father helped create the community story this school still uses to tell people what kind of institution it is. Brooke looked around as if searching for support.
Her friends avoided her eyes. The students who had filmed Maya earlier were no longer smirking. One of them lowered his phone completely. Brooke folded her arms. Fine.
Her dad helped a gym. That doesn't change what she did to Evan. Maya looked at her. There it was. Brooke's last safe place.
If history could not save her, accusation might. She attacked him. A few students shifted. Walter's expression did not change. Did she?
Yes. You're sure? I was standing there. So was everybody else. Brooke glanced around.
No one spoke. Not yet. Karen stepped in quickly. This is why we need formal statements. Brooke seized on that.
Exactly. She pointed toward Maya. She grabbed me too. Maya's voice remained calm. You tried to hit me.
Brooke's face sharpened. That's not true. Lisa said, I saw it. Brooke turned on her. You're biased.
Toward what? Her. Lisa's expression hardened. I barely knew Maya before last week. Walter looked toward Daniel.