Defended it. By the time the bus stopped near Crown Bridge, Maya already knew the truth would have to fight uphill. She stepped onto the sidewalk. The campus looked almost exactly as it had the day before. Red brick, white stone, oak trees losing their leaves.
Students crossing lawns with coffee and backpacks. But the air around Maya had changed. People recognized her. Some stared openly. Others looked away too quickly.
Near the student center, two men paused their conversation as she passed. One muttered. "There she is." Maya kept walking. At Heritage Hall, Laura Bennett was waiting near the entrance.
Her expression was careful. Dr. Hayes wants to see you. Now? She said before your first class. Maya glanced toward the upper windows.
Is my father there? No. That answer told her enough. Catherine Hayes' office occupied the third floor overlooking the same courtyard where Ryan had cornered Maya. The room was elegant without feeling warm.
Dark wood, muted art, a polished conference table. Nothing personal except a silver-framed photograph turned slightly away from visitors. Dr. Hayes stood behind her desk. She wore a charcoal suit and a pearl pin. Maya.
Her voice was gentle. Please sit. Maya sat. Hayes remained standing long enough to establish the shape of the room, then lowered herself into the chair opposite. I imagine this morning has been difficult.
It has. I watched the circulating video, the edited video. Hayes folded her hands. I understand there are competing interpretations. Maya stared at her.
Chase raised his fist behind my head. I'm aware that is your statement. There were witnesses. There are always witnesses. The difficulty is determining what they actually perceived.
Maya felt something cold move through her. Hayes continued in the same calm tone. Your father has appropriately recused himself. That means student affairs has to handle this without even the appearance of favoritism. I agree.
Hayes seemed surprised. Maya leaned forward slightly. So investigate it. We are. Then get Emily's original recording.
We've requested it. And the courtyard security footage. Hayes paused. There appears to have been a technical issue with that camera. Maya remembered Daniel's warning.
"Don't assume my office makes you safe." It just happened to fail. We don't know yet. Hayes reached for a folder. "There is another option."
Maya said nothing. Hayes opened it. No formal finding against anyone. Ryan receives a conduct warning. Chase receives a behavioral review.
You agree that the confrontation was emotionally charged on all sides and that there may have been misunderstandings. Maya stared at the page. What do I agree happened to me. Hayes' expression barely changed. You agree not to characterize the matter publicly while the university works to restore calm.
So I stopped saying he threatened me. You agree to avoid inflammatory language. Maya looked up. And Emily's video stays online. That is a separate issue.