The next morning, Riverton no longer felt polished. It felt exposed. The twins sat inside a small conference room in the administration building beneath gray daylight and buzzing ceiling lights. Denise sat beside them. Walter was there.
Professor Ellen Brooks, too. Across the table sat Rebecca Grant, 52, a civil rights attorney who served as an adviser to Riverton. Rebecca wore a dark blue suit and spoke quietly. Start from the beginning. So Naomi did.
The lounge, the shoulder checks, the edited clip, the missing volunteer sheet, the three conduct complaints, Ryan's attempt to provoke them. The hallway, every fact. No exaggeration, no performance. Nia filled in details where necessary. Professor Brooks confirmed the class times.
Walter confirmed what he saw. Jake's full video showed Ryan blocking the corridor, shoving Naomi twice, grabbing Nia, and continuing after repeated requests to stop. It also showed something else. Naomi's restraint. Frame by frame.
No strike after Ryan went down. No pursuit. Nia releasing Connor immediately. Naomi checking Nia's wrist. Naomi offering Connor first aid.
Rebecca paused the video. For several seconds, nobody spoke. Then she said, "This is very clear." Denise's shoulders lowered slightly. Naomi did not relax.
"Not yet." Rebecca turned to the conduct packet. "These bother me more." She placed the three statements side by side. "Same phrasing."
Naomi nodded. "Different names?" "Yes." Rebecca looked toward Professor Brooks. You confirmed the Carter sisters were in class during one alleged incident.
I did. Rebecca circled two lines. Then these were not simply mistaken recollections. Nia leaned forward. What are they?
Rebecca looked at her, possibly coordinated. The word settled heavily. By noon, Rebecca had requested the digital submission records for the complaints. At 1:40, she returned to the room with a different expression. "What?"
Naomi asked. Rebecca closed the door behind her. The complaints were filed through separate student accounts. Nia frowned. "That sounds normal.
It would Rebecca set down a folder. If the recovery contacts and routing data didn't intersect. Naomi looked at her. Rebecca continued. Two accounts were created within 48 hours of the complaints.
Professor Brooks shook her head and the contact information traces back to a consulting office used by Whitmore Development. Denise went still. Walter's face hardened. Naomi stared at Rebecca. You're saying Ryan's father's company is connected?
I'm saying the office is paid by Whitmore Development. Rebecca chose every word carefully. That does not yet prove Charles Whitmore ordered anything. Naomi understood. Evidence first, but it means this is bigger than Ryan.
Rebecca nodded. Yes. Outside the conference room, the story was already changing. Students who had watched the lounge incident began submitting statements. One sent a recording showing Ryan standing over the twins table before Naomi calmly left.