He looked at Vanessa.
“Yesterday, you asked me to unlock the storage room,” he said. “You told me the theater department needed to move some equipment.”
Vanessa’s smile disappeared.
Mr. Harris continued.
“Later, I saw you carrying that missing equipment into your father’s car.”
Madison looked away.
Chloe began nervously twisting her fingers.
Vanessa suddenly shouted, “He’s lying!”
Dr. Brooks raised one hand.
“That’s why we checked the security footage from the loading entrance.”
The room went silent.
A large screen behind the stage lit up.
There was Vanessa, unmistakably carrying the equipment with Madison’s help.
I looked at my mother.
She covered her mouth.
But Dr. Brooks wasn’t finished.
“There’s something else you should understand,” she said.
She turned toward my mother.
“Evelyn, would you please come forward?”
Mom looked terrified.
Instead of accusing her, Dr. Brooks gently took her hand.
“Six years ago, when this college was facing severe financial difficulties, someone quietly helped us keep our student hardship program open.”
