Chapter 6 - The Fall of the SupervisorOfficer Hayes didn't wait for further instructions. She stepped forward, grabbed Patricia Sullivan by the arm, and hauled the weeping woman away from the counter.
"Come on, Ms. Sullivan. You're trespassing on staff-only zones now that your employment has been terminated," Hayes said coldly, leading her toward the exit as the cafeteria students watched in stunned silence. No one clapped, but the heavy, oppressive weight that had hung over the room for months finally lifted.
Amara let out a long, shaky breath, her shoulders finally relaxing.
Darius turned to his daughter, his fierce expression instantly melting into deep, aching tenderness. He reached out, cupping her cheek with his warm palm.
"Are you okay, sweetheart?" he asked softly, ignoring the board members standing awkwardly behind them.
Amara leaned into his touch, a watery smile breaking across her face. "I am now, Dad. But... you didn't have to nuke the whole school's funding for me."
"Watch me," Darius murmured with a faint, proud smirk. "Nobody touches my daughter."
Dr. Sterling cleared his throat nervously, stepping back into their field of vision. "Ah... Mr. Coleman, regarding the endowment... now that these terms have been met..."
Darius didn't even look at the university president. He kept his eyes on Amara. "The endowment is back on, Dr. Sterling. But it comes with a new name."
May you like
Sterling blinked. "A new name? For the biochemistry center?"
"No," Darius said, pulling Amara gently against his side. "The Renee and Amara Coleman Center for Biological Ethics. Starting today, your students are going to learn what integrity looks like before they ever step foot in a lab."
