"You didn't lose your career because you couldn't compete," Ronan said.
Mara looked at him.
"You don't know that."
"I know what I saw when you grappled with us. And I know what you did afterward. You didn't insult us. You didn't demand recognition. You helped a student with his wrist and went back to training."
He paused.
"That doesn't prove what happened five years ago. But it tells me the story they're selling doesn't match the person standing in front of me."
Mara appreciated the distinction.
She had spent years wishing someone would believe her. Now she understood that belief alone was not enough. The truth needed evidence, context, and people willing to acknowledge what they could not yet know.
"Thank you," she said.
Victor placed the article on the table.
"We need to decide what we do publicly."
"We don't respond to every insinuation," Mara said. "We release a factual statement. We confirm that an independent review is underway. We don't publish Peter's private information or accuse anyone of a crime before the evidence has been examined."
Adrian nodded.
"I can draft it."
"Have independent counsel review it first."
Victor looked surprised.
"You've thought this through."
"I've had five years to think about what happens when other people tell your story for you."
Before Victor could answer, his phone rang.
Victor answered and put the call on speaker.
"Steven."
"Mr. Sloane. We need to discuss tomorrow's technical meeting."
"What about it?"
"Mr. Vale has requested several adjustments to the showcase schedule."
Mara's expression changed.
"What adjustments?" she asked.
There was a pause.
"Ms. Ellison, I wasn't aware you were on the call."
"Now you are. What adjustments?"
Steven cleared his throat.
"The promotional segment is being expanded. Mr. Vale also wants the athletes to participate in a controlled demonstration designed to highlight the academy's competitive standards."
"What does that mean?" Ronan asked.
Steven ignored him.
"Additionally, the rules committee is considering a change to the final match format."
Mara stepped closer to the phone.
"We have a signed agreement stating that the format cannot be changed without the consent of both participants and the independent safety official."
"That agreement remains in place."
"Then what are you calling about?"
"Because Mr. Vale believes the current format doesn't provide enough time for the audience to understand the competitors' backgrounds."
Felix let out a short, humorless laugh.
"Translation: he wants more time to embarrass her."
"Felix," Victor warned.
"No. I'm tired of pretending this is normal."
Steven's voice grew colder.
"Northbridge was invited to participate in a prestigious event. If your academy wishes to withdraw, you may do so."
Victor looked around the room.
For years, he had feared exactly this kind of ultimatum. Vale's investment had paid for equipment, renovations, and opportunities that Northbridge could never have afforded on its own. Losing that support could damage the academy.
But the people standing before him were no longer merely athletes whose careers depended on his decisions. They were students who had begun to trust him.
"We will attend the technical meeting," Victor said. "We will review every proposed change. Nothing will be accepted without written approval from the independent safety official."
Steven sighed.
"I'll relay that."
The call ended.
Ronan looked at Victor.
"If they change the rules, I'm out."
"So am I," Felix said.
Adrian nodded.
"Me too."
Victor turned to Mara.
"And you?"
"I'll compete under the agreed rules. If they violate the agreement, I'll withdraw."
Ronan looked almost offended.
"After everything you've been through, you're still willing to walk away?"
"Walking away from an unsafe match isn't surrender."
She met his eyes.
"It's the difference between having something to prove and knowing what you're responsible for."
Ronan looked down.
The words reminded him of the person he had been before Mara arrived: a man who measured his value through victory and believed that backing down was worse than making a mistake.
He had thought humility meant accepting defeat.
Now he was beginning to understand that humility could also mean refusing to let pride make decisions for him.
That afternoon, Adrian received a call from the forensic analyst Peter had recommended.
Her name was Dr. Lena Morris. She specialized in digital media authentication and had worked on disputes involving altered sports footage, broadcast records, and manipulated recordings.
She had reviewed the copy of the original video Peter provided.
Her preliminary assessment was encouraging.
The footage appeared internally consistent. Several details matched independent photographs and event records. The audio waveform showed no obvious signs of splicing in the critical section, though a full examination would be necessary before she could make a definitive statement.
Dr.
Adrian shared the update with Mara and Daniel over a secure call.
"That gives us something objective," he said. "Not just testimony."
"Can she authenticate the file before the showcase?" Daniel asked.