"What happens if someone retaliates against a student for making a complaint?"
Victor met her eyes.
"That will be treated as a separate conduct violation."
Melissa nodded slowly.
For the first time, she felt that the academy might become a place she could trust again.
But she knew that trust would not return because of a statement.
It would return only if the academy followed through.
Derek arrived twenty minutes before class.
He read the announcement on his phone, then looked toward Victor's office.
Melissa was among those who had not replied.
Derek tried not to take it personally.
They did.
"I don't know yet," Derek replied.
"Are you injured?"
"No."
"Then why wouldn't you compete?"
Derek looked at the young man.
"Because I need to work some things out."
"But you're our best competitor."
Derek almost repeated the phrase he had heard throughout his career.
Instead, he said, "Being good at a sport doesn't mean you have everything else figured out."
The young man nodded politely and walked away.
Derek watched him go.
Meanwhile, Victor was preparing for an unexpected meeting.
At ten thirty, a man named Adrian Cole arrived at the academy.
Victor immediately recognized the name.
"How can I help you, Mr. Cole?"
"I saw your statement."
"I assumed you might have."
"I think you've made a mistake."
Victor gestured toward a chair.
"Please explain."
"You're allowing a viral video to dictate how you run your academy. A single disagreement between two athletes has become a public relations crisis. Your response suggests systemic problems where there may be none."
Victor studied him.
"We've received complaints from multiple students."
"Complaints are not proof of misconduct."
"Neither is a good competition record proof that everything is working."
"I understand that you're under pressure. But I would encourage you to consider the long-term consequences of this approach. Derek is a valuable athlete. His reputation brings attention to your academy."
"That isn't the only thing that matters."
"Of course not. But reputation matters."
Victor folded his hands.
"What is your interest in this situation?"
"I'm concerned that an old controversy is being revived unnecessarily."
Victor said nothing.
"Ironbridge is no longer operating. The people involved have moved on. Reopening old disputes serves no practical purpose."
"Who is reopening them?"
"I understand that Nia Brooks has been contacted by people connected to the organization."
Victor's attention sharpened.
"How do you know that?"
"I have professional contacts."
"Did you contact her?"
"No."
"Did you send her a photograph?"
"I don't know what photograph you're referring to."
Victor watched him carefully.
The answer was too smooth to establish anything, but it raised questions.
"Then why are you here?"
"To offer advice. Protect your academy. Keep the matter focused on the incident itself. Do not allow old allegations to become part of your public narrative."
Victor thought about Thomas Reed's warning.
He thought about the records Nia had mentioned during their conversation.
He thought about the complaints that had existed long before the video.
"Thank you for your advice," he said. "But the review will proceed."
"I hope you understand what you're risking."
Victor rose, too.
"I do."
Victor watched him cross the parking lot and enter a black sedan.
Then he returned to his office and called Nia.
She answered after several rings.
"Hello?"
"Someone named Adrian Cole visited the academy this morning."
"Who is he?"
"Former consultant to Ironbridge. He wanted me to stop the review from expanding into the academy's broader conduct."
Nia went quiet.
"He contacted me, too," she said.
Victor sat down.
"When?"
"Yesterday. He left a message through a professional networking site. He suggested that reopening the Ironbridge dispute could harm people who had nothing to do with it."
"What did you tell him?"
"Nothing. I haven't replied."
Victor exhaled.
"Do you think he's responsible for the anonymous messages?"
"I don't know."
"Neither do I."
Then Victor said, "I'm going to include this in the review."
"Why?"
"Because someone appears to be trying to influence what we investigate."
Nia considered that.
"Be careful, Victor."
"I intend to be."
"No. I mean be careful about assuming that you know what you're looking at. The fact that Adrian worked with Ironbridge doesn't prove that he sent anything."
Victor nodded, even though she could not see him.
"You're right."
"I don't want this to become a search for a villain. I want the facts established."
"So do I."
They ended the call.
Victor stared at the statement on his computer.
The academy had taken a step toward accountability.
Someone outside the academy appeared determined to prevent the investigation from going further.
The next Thursday, Derek asked Nia for another round.
Nia was sitting on the edge of the mat, wrapping her fingers with athletic tape.
Derek stopped several feet away.
"Can we talk?"
She looked up.
"About what?"
"Saturday."
"All right."
Derek took a breath.
"I want another round."
Nia studied him.
"Why?"
"Because I want to prove that the first one doesn't define me."
She lowered her hands.