Simon watched Amy's uncontrollable weeping, feeling distressed but unsure how to offer comfort. Samantha, acquainted with Simon from his holiday visits to her grandfather in Betrico, understood his character. He had dedicated his life to educating and nurturing countless talents, only to witness Patrick's actions in his later years. The gossip surrounding Patrick was devastating; he had not only tarnished Argrol University's century-old reputation but also Simon's lifelong legacy. The difficulty of Simon's decision to call the police was palpable.
Samantha empathized deeply; Amy, at a young age, had suffered irreparable harm at the hands of a teacher like Patrick.
After five minutes of tears, Amy looked at Simon and declared firmly, “Mr. Sunderland, I will ensure Patrick goes to jail. Please forgive me. I can’t let this go unaddressed.” She continued, “I know this will damage the school's reputation, but I must proceed. Mr. Sunderland, thank you for your support.”
Simon nodded. “Child, this isn’t your fault; you are the victim.”
Following their conversation, Simon approached Yvette and the others. Samantha politely greeted him, “Hello, Mr. Sunderland.” Simon, slightly surprised by her presence in Security, acknowledged her but deemed it inappropriate to inquire further.
He told Yvette, “I’ll stay here with Amy and wait for the police. The physics department exam is tomorrow, so you should go home early and rest.” He was aware of Yvette's planned departure from Seacrity, a leave request he had personally approved; she had postponed it a day for the exam.
Yvette nodded. “Alright, we’ll be leaving now.”
Leaving the bar, they encountered Zane and his group. Zane's surprise was evident. He wondered about Yvette and Jeremiah's presence and a possible connection to the day's events. Approaching respectfully, he addressed them formally, “Mr. Chavez, Ms. Zeller.”
Jeremiah, recognizing Zane, nodded slightly and calmly replied, “Alright, go on in.”
Zane, understanding their involvement, stated, “Mr. Chavez, Ms. Zeller, I’ll go in first,” leading the police officers into the bar, which was subsequently sealed off.
In the car, Yvette, eyes downcast, fiddled with her phone. Andrew asked, “Yvette, you have an exam tomorrow, right? I haven’t seen you study. Do you feel prepared?” He hadn't seen her studying and anticipated a disappointing outcome. Samantha shared his concern, while Charles remained silent, aware of Yvette's capabilities. He knew that even the principal of Mysegna's top university had tried thrice to recruit Yvette as a physics tutor, an offer she'd disregarded. From Charles's perspective, Andrew's question was pointless.
Jeremiah drove silently, his thoughts turning to Yvette’s academic performance. Yvette replied to a text: "[Get what I need ready and send it to Normis.]" Looking up, relaxed and composed, she said, “It’s okay.”
Andrew reassured her, “Yvette, don’t be discouraged; just do your best. Grades are just marks on paper. Look at me—I graduated from Betrico University, and I’m a librarian!” He patted his chest confidently.
Samantha’s reaction was less enthusiastic. She mused internally about Andrew’s self-assured boasting. Charles subtly shifted towards the window, preferring distance from Andrew's perceived foolishness. Jeremiah, accustomed to such behavior, remained calm.
The next day, Patrick’s situation dominated Seacrity's news and online discussions. As Samantha predicted, Amy faced intense gossip and divided public opinion. One side condemned Patrick’s actions, while the other implied Amy's complicity. The online debate was passionate, but ultimately, most netizens supported Amy.
Benjamin, Samantha’s lawyer, arrived in Seacrity, met with Amy, and lunched with Samantha and Andrew. He expressed confidence in securing a conviction against Patrick.
On exam day, Yvette arrived promptly at the physics exam hall, her casual attire drawing attention. Even the proctors watched her closely. After distributing the papers, the proctor announced that submissions could be made up to half an hour early. Yvette completed the exam effortlessly in half an hour. The proctor, initially skeptical of the speed, found himself captivated by her and unconcerned with other students' progress. Yvette remained at her desk, her eyes closed, as the time ticked by until she eventually submitted her paper.