Chapter 5 - The UltimatumThe cafeteria was so quiet you could hear the hum of the fluorescent lights overhead. Every camera phone was pointed squarely at President Sterling, recording his public humiliation in real time.
"Mr. Coleman," Sterling stammered, his professional composure completely shattered. "Name your terms. Whatever it takes. We will fix this. We will restructure the entire administration, we will fire anyone involved—just please, do not pull the funding."
Darius looked at the trembling president, then down at Amara, who was watching him with a mixture of awe and protective love.
"There are conditions," Darius said slowly, his voice ringing across the room.
"Name them! Anything!" Vance chimed in, sweating profusely under his expensive suit.
"Condition one," Darius said, holding up a finger. "Patricia Sullivan is terminated immediately, stripped of her pension, and barred from ever working in educational institutions again."
Patricia let out a loud sob, collapsing against the metal serving counter. "You can't do that! I gave twenty years to this place!"
"Condition two," Darius continued, ignoring her entirely. "Every single student who was ever subjected to her 'Section B' segregation scheme must be identified, issued a formal written apology from the university president, and refunded every single cent of their meal plan fees out of the university's operational budget—not from tuition hikes."
Sterling nodded frantically. "Done. It’s done."
May you like
"Condition three," Darius said, his eyes locking onto Sterling with unyielding intensity. "An independent oversight committee must be established, headed by student representatives—including my daughter—to audit campus equity, housing, and dining operations by Monday morning."
"Agreed," Sterling whispered, knowing he had no other choice. If the board rejected these terms, the PR disaster would destroy Whitmore University before the week was out.
