Chapter Five :The Aftermath

I was summoned to the Engineering Department office the very next Monday morning since the event happened on Friday.

The email from Professor Lila had been short and formal: “Please report to the faculty conference room at 10:00 AM. Urgent matter regarding yesterday’s guest lecture.”

My stomach twisted the entire walk across campus. I hadn’t slept much after getting Lena settled back at the hospital. Between worrying about my sister and replaying that moment in the auditorium, my nerves were already frayed.

When I stepped into the conference room, three professors were waiting: Professor Lila, Professor Ramirez (head of the Automotive Program), and Dr. Singh, the dean of the faculty. Their expressions ranged from concerned to outright disappointed.

“Sit down, Ariana,” Professor Lila said, gesturing to the chair across from them.

I sat, back straight, hands clasped tightly in my lap.

Professor Ramirez leaned forward first. “We’ve received several complaints about your conduct during yesterday’s session with Lucien Vale. As a special guest and major donor to our engineering program, he was here to help students learn. Not to be publicly dismantled.”

My jaw tightened. “I didn’t dismantle him. I gave an honest technical critique based on the data provided. Isn’t that what this program is supposed to encourage? Critical thinking?”

Dr. Singh sighed. “There’s a difference between constructive feedback and what many witnessed as disrespectful confrontation. Several students and faculty members felt you were trying to humiliate a high-profile guest. Serena also filed a formal complaint saying you embarrassed the family name.”

I let out a bitter laugh. “Of course she did.”

Professor Lila looked genuinely worried. “Ariana, you’re one of our most talented students when you actually attend. But with your attendance issues and now this… we’re concerned about your future here. The university values its relationship with Vale Corporation. We need you to write a formal apology to Mr. Vale.”

My blood ran hot. “AN APOLOGY? For doing my job? For pointing out basic engineering flaws that could affect performance and safety?”

The conversation dragged on for nearly forty minutes. They lectured me about professionalism, networking, and “respecting industry leaders.” By the time I left the room, my hands were shaking with anger and humiliation.

I stormed out of the building, head pounding. That’s when I noticed it again.

The same sleek black car.

It was parked across the street, half-hidden behind a row of trees. The tinted windows made it impossible to see inside, but I felt eyes on me. This wasn’t the first time. I’d seen it throughout the weekend after the event, and again this morning near my apartment.

My skin crawled.

I quickened my pace toward the student center, glancing over my shoulder every few seconds. The car didn’t move immediately, but ten minutes later, I spotted it again following at a distance as I crossed campus.

By the time I met Mia and Elias at our usual corner table in the cafeteria, I was rattled.

“You guys won’t believe this,” I said, dropping into the chair and rubbing my temples. “First, the professors basically dragged me in and scolded me like a child for criticizing Lucien Vale yesterday. They want me to “apologize” to him. I said mockingly. Can you believe that? And now… I think someone’s following me.”

Mia’s eyes widened. “WHAT!!? ARE YOU SERIOUS?”

Elias leaned forward, his usual calm expression shifting into protective concern. “Tell us exactly what’s been happening.”

I explained everything about the black car appearing near campus, outside my job, and even near our apartment building. How it kept a calculated distance but always seemed to be there. How it gave me the creeps.

“This started after the event with Lucien,” I said, voice low. “I don’t know if it’s him or some crazy fan of his, but I’m not imagining it.”

Elias’s jaw clenched. “That’s not okay. We should go to the campus security first, then the police station. You need to file an official complaint. Stalking is serious, Ariana.”

Mia nodded vigorously. “He’s right. We’ll go with you. You can’t just ignore this. Especially with everything else going on with Lena.”

I stared down at my untouched coffee, exhaustion and frustration warring inside me. Part of me wanted to handle it alone with the same pride that had gotten me through the last few years. But another part, the tired, scared part, was relieved to have them.

“Fine,” I whispered. “After my afternoon class, let’s go to the station. I’m done being watched like some kind of prey.”

As we sat there making plans, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this was only the beginning. That criticizing Lucien Vale in public had somehow opened a door I couldn’t close.

And the man behind the black car? He wasn’t going to disappear easily.