Both would be prohibited from contacting Maya during the review. Karen Bennett would be removed from direct scholarship conduct authority, while an independent administrative review examined the handling of Maya's complaint and earlier cases involving donor influence. Crown Bridge would audit relevant student conduct files. Walter asked for the findings to be reported to the community advisory board. Richard supported it.
Karen said nothing. Brooke's face crumpled. Not dramatically. Just enough to show that consequences felt very different when they finally reached her side of the table. Maya looked toward the window.
Outside, students crossed the bright lawn carrying backpacks and coffee cups. Unaware that something inside Crown Bridge had just shifted. Richard stood. Brooke, you're coming with me. She did not move.
Then she looked at Maya. There was anger there. But underneath it, something else. Humiliation. The same thing she had been handing out so freely.
Maya held her gaze. No smile. No revenge. Nothing Brooke could call cruelty. That seemed to disturb her more.
Richard gathered his coat, then paused. He looked at Walter. David Carter. Walter nodded. Richard glanced toward Maya.
My father knew that name. Maya's head lifted. Richard continued. The early Riverton partnership. I remember hearing about it.
Brooke stared at him. Walter said. A lot of people remember when they're forced to. Richard accepted that without argument. Then he left with Brooke.
Evan was escorted out separately. Karen remained behind with an administrator who had arrived to begin the review. Maya stood slowly. Her back still hurt. Her hands felt cold.
Walter touched the edge of the RAC. 214 tag hanging from her backpack. You all right? Maya exhaled. I don't know.
He nodded. That's honest. Daniel approached. I meant what I said downstairs. Maya looked at him.
I should have asked questions first. She nodded. You should have. Daniel accepted that too. No excuses.
No defense. Just the consequence of hearing the truth said plainly. As Maya and Walter reached the boardroom door, Richard's voice came from the hallway behind them. Maya. She turned.
He stood alone now. Brooke had gone ahead. Richard looked less like a donor and more like a tired father. I understand the college may want to recognize what happened publicly. Maya's expression tightened.
He continued. They'll probably want to tell the story of your father too. Walter glanced at Maya. Richard added. Before they do anything, they should ask you.
Maya looked through the glass wall toward the campus below. The plaques. The polished buildings. The places that loved a good story when it made the institution look generous. She thought of David.
Of Denise. Of Room 214. Of Ruth's kitchen. Of Lisa apologizing. Of Aaron and Rachel lowering their phones.
Of Brooke finally answering one simple question. Then Maya looked back at Richard. If Crown Bridge wants to make this right, she said, I already know what I'm going to ask for. Walter's eyes narrowed with curiosity. Richard nodded.