Chapter 8

I wiped away my tears and pulled out my phone. It was a message from my dance partner, Ethan Roland.

"Fiona, I heard what happened. Why would they suddenly cancel your spot for no reason?"

I bit my lower lip, unsure where to begin. Should I tell him everything?

We had met in dance class. He was kind, and we hit it off immediately. We became partners, preparing for the State Championship together.

But a few days ago, he got injured. I had promised to visit him, but everything else had gotten in the way.

After my reckless actions earlier, I realized I couldn’t fight this battle alone. Personal perspectives were too limited—I needed broader input.

Maybe Ethan could help. We were both in the dance program, and two minds were better than one.

I wiped my tears, steadied myself, and stood up.

After buying some of his favorite fruits at the hospital entrance, I headed to his room.

Ethan was lying in bed, cracking sunflower seeds. He looked lively, nothing like a patient.

"Fiona, what’s going on?"

I forced a smile to reassure him.

"It’s nothing. I’ll tell you in a bit. How’s your injury?"

Guilt weighed on me as I lowered my head.

"I promised to visit sooner, but things got complicated."

Ethan waved it off casually and gave my shoulder a light, playful pat.

"Don’t worry about it. Just tell me everything that’s happened—no hiding anything!"

I took a deep breath and, under his expectant gaze, recounted the events of the past few days in a calm tone.

His face twisted in outrage. "What? All this happened while I was gone? That Ryan Lowell is absolute scum!"

Shock and sympathy filled his eyes as he looked at me.

"Fiona, you didn’t deserve any of this. I’ll make sure justice is served!"

My lips twitched, my mood sinking to its lowest point.

"It’s no use, Ethan. I went to see Principal Lowell today—they’re in this together." My chest tightened painfully, suffocating me.

"We can’t win against him."

Ethan’s expression hardened, his eyes burning with stubborn defiance.

Suppressing his fury, he let out a bitter laugh. "Let’s see how long they can keep laughing. This is outright lawlessness!"

I clenched my fists, trying to suppress the anguish, but it surged like a relentless tide.

Ethan’s face flushed red before he pulled out his phone and dialed a number.

"Hey, Dad. There’s something you need to know."

"That substitute instructor, Ryan Lowell—he’s been groping female students under the guise of correcting their form. He even tried to assault one!"

I stared at him, my heart in my throat.

"I’m sure. She’s my close friend, and she’s right here with me. She told me everything herself."

He gave me a reassuring look before continuing. "This is ruining our institution’s reputation. We can’t let this slide!"

His voice was sharp, as if he wanted to tear Ryan apart right then.

Soon, he finally hung up.

"Sorry I never mentioned it before. Principal Roland is my father."

So he had been talking to the principal.

My heart pounded violently at his words. My hands clenched together, knuckles whitening, my emotions overwhelming.

"He promised a full investigation. Don’t worry—I’ll make sure every wrong against you is made right."

Tremors ran through me, every nerve alight. My heart drummed like a battle cry, blood burning with adrenaline.

"Thank you, Ethan. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have known what to do. You gave me hope."

He shook his head firmly, eyes glinting.

"The person you should thank is yourself."

"You overcame your fear and spoke up. You fought for justice with your own strength. Even without me, you would’ve found a way to tell the principal."

His praise warmed my cheeks, filling me with indescribable relief.

"Either way, he’ll get what he deserves. That’s all that matters now."

Under Principal Roland’s swift investigation, Ryan was charged with attempted assault of a minor. Security footage sealed his fate, and he was handed over to the police.

Vice Principal Lowell, who had repeatedly covered for Ryan and even participated in his crimes, was suspended pending further review.

The two biggest threats were finally gone.