Chapter 4

That afternoon, the class meeting was held in a small lecture hall on campus.

It was nominally scheduled as a standard safety education seminar, but everyone in the room knew the real agenda.

The moment I walked in, the noisy chatter in the hall instantly evaporated.

Right in the center of the front row sat a single empty chair with a piece of white paper taped to the backrest. Boldly written across it was my full name—Calista Lambert.

It was a deliberate, humiliating attempt to put me on display for the entire cohort.

I ignored the theatrical setup and took the seat anyway.

Murmurs rippled from the rows behind me.

"She actually had the nerve to show up."

"She really has no shame."

"If I were her, I would've taken leave of absence."

I didn't turn around to look at them.

Madison was seated midway back in the third row, flanked protectively by Nancy and Judy.

Madison wore a mask, and her eyes were bloodshot and swollen. She looked as if she might faint at any moment.

Percy walked to the podium and turned on the microphone.

"We're holding this meeting because a recent incident has severely compromised student welfare, personal health, and overall campus order."

He didn't mention my name explicitly, but his gaze locked onto me, and every head in the room turned in unison to follow his line of sight.

"Based on the preliminary findings, the individual involved acted with gross negligence and deliberately concealed high-risk health information. This reckless behavior has caused direct physical harm to another student and generated unwarranted public panic.

"Therefore, the school administration is proposing that Calista Lambert receive a formal disciplinary warning with academic probation. Her eligibility for scholarships, financial aid, research grants, and honors will be immediately revoked.

"Depending on the outcome of the investigation, the administration reserves the right to enforce a mandatory leave of absence or outright expulsion."

A collective murmur of shock rippled through the crowd.

Someone whispered, "That's still getting off easy, isn't it?"

"Madison's the real victim here."

"Calista should be expelled."

Madison stood up. Tears were streaming down her face. "Mr. Cobb, can I say a few words?"

Percy nodded.

Madison walked to the front, trembling slightly. "I know how anxious everyone has been on my behalf these past few days. Thank you all so much for your support."

She sniffled. "Honestly, I don't want to pursue this either. I know Calista has been under a lot of pressure, and we're all competing for the same top grades. Since we shared a dorm room, perhaps there was simply a terrible misunderstanding."

She looked at me. "If she didn't mean to do it maliciously, I am willing to find it in my heart to forgive her."

How magnanimous of her. I hadn't even been granted a fair hearing, yet she was already graciously dictating the terms of my clemency.

Several students in the audience looked visibly moved, their eyes glistening with sympathy.

Nancy burst into tears right away.

Judy held Madison up and said loudly, "Maddie, you're just too kind."

A smatter of applause broke out in the middle rows, quickly swelling into a wave of approving clapping across the room.

I sat motionless in the front row, watching them get swept up in Madison's supposed kindness.

When Madison finished her speech, she turned and walked slowly back down the aisle.

She stopped right in front of me.

When she spoke, her voice was as soft as a sigh. "Calista, I truly hope you won't hurt anyone else again."

I looked up at her, then laughed.

Madison's expression froze for a second. Confusion flickered across her face.

She couldn't fathom it. Why would someone facing public disgrace, forced administrative leave, and the total destruction of her academic sponsorship dare to laugh?

Percy frowned. "Calista, if you have any formal grievances regarding the school's decision, bring them to the administrative office after the meeting. Do not cause a disruption here."

I stood up. "There's no need to wait until afterward. Since the school chose to announce this publicly, I'll respond right here in front of everyone."

Percy's face darkened. "Sit down this instant!"

I didn't budge an inch. "Mr. Cobb, every single claim you just made constitutes a public defamation of my character and reputation.

"If the school insists on handling it this way, I'll call the police and submit all my evidence directly to the state department of education."

The hall fell silent.

Percy glared at me. "Are you threatening the school?"

"I'm only protecting my legal rights," I replied.

I looked at the large screen and said, "Give me three minutes. After that, you can decide whether you still want to take disciplinary action against me."

Percy's expression hardened. "Absolutely not!"

I pulled out my phone and turned on the screen. "Then I'll call the police right now. Let them decide who's spreading lies and who's covering for them."

One of the professors stood up and whispered something to Percy.

Percy was visibly furious.

After a tense pause, he ground out, "Three minutes."

I connected my phone to the projector.

Madison stared at me, fear finally showing in her eyes.

I opened the first file.

The moment the screen lit up, everyone in the lecture hall drew a sharp breath.