"So what does this mean?"
Victor looked at him.
"It means we should stop searching for reasons to discredit her."
"I'm not trying to discredit her."
"You came here asking me to find out who she was because you couldn't accept that she beat you."
Derek stiffened.
Victor continued.
"Now we've found evidence that she has a legitimate competitive background. Does that make you feel better?"
"No."
"Why not?"
Derek stared at the photograph on the screen.
Because it did not change the result.
Because he had still challenged her.
Because she had still submitted him.
Because every explanation he found only made the situation more uncomfortable.
"No," he repeated.
Victor closed the laptop.
"Then perhaps the problem isn't her background."
Derek left the office without answering.
He walked into the empty training room and stood at the center of the mat.
For the first time in years, the academy felt unfamiliar.
Across town, Nia was preparing to leave for her meeting with Victor.
She had received another message from the unknown number.
Nia read it once.
Then she read it again.
Her fingers tightened around the phone.
But the reference to Evelyn changed everything.
Now someone was telling her that the past had followed her into Whitmore Academy.
She typed a reply.
The message showed as delivered.
Nia stood motionless in the middle of her apartment.
For the first time since the video went viral, she felt something close to fear.
Not because she was worried about losing another match.
Because the past she had tried to leave behind might not have been finished with her.
Victor Hale had prepared three different versions of what he intended to say to Nia.
He had trusted Derek because Derek won competitions.
He had tolerated Derek's arrogance because students admired his confidence.
He had overlooked complaints about training intensity because the academy's results appeared to justify the methods.
At two fifteen, Nia arrived.
Victor had expected her to look angry.
Instead, she looked prepared.
"Thank you for coming," he said.
"Of course."
"Would you like some water?"
"That would be nice."
He poured two glasses.
Then Victor began.
"I want to apologize for what happened on Saturday."
Nia looked at him.
"What specifically are you apologizing for?"
Victor paused.
Instead, she had asked him to be precise.
"For allowing Derek to turn a training session into a public challenge."
"All right."
"For not stopping the situation earlier."
"All right."
"And for failing to establish a culture in which a new student could train without being pressured to prove she belonged."
Nia lowered her gaze briefly.
"Thank you."
Victor studied her.
"Does that address your concerns?"
"Some of them."
"Which concerns remain?"
Nia opened her notebook.
"I want to understand the academy's policies on respectful conduct, instructor accountability, and how complaints are handled."
Victor nodded.
"We have written policies."
"Are they enforced consistently?"
"Yes," he replied.
Nia waited.
Victor looked toward the window.
"At least, they are supposed to be."
"I also want to know whether Derek has any formal authority over students outside the competition team."
"He does not. He's a senior athlete and an assistant instructor for certain sessions."
"Can he decide who trains with him?"
"Within reason."
"Can he publicly challenge students who refuse to disclose their background?"
"No."
"Can he pressure someone into a round after they've declined?"
"Absolutely not."
Nia nodded.
"Then I assume you'll address those issues."
Victor leaned forward.
"I intend to."
"How?"
Victor rubbed his hands together.
"I'll review the coaching structure. I'll speak with the instructors. We'll establish a clearer process for reporting inappropriate behavior."
"When?"
"This week."
"Will the policies be available to students?"
"Yes."
"Will students be able to raise concerns without having their training opportunities affected?"
Victor looked directly at her.
"They should be able to."
"Should be?"
He exhaled.
"Yes. They will be."
Nia closed her notebook.
"That's a good start."
Victor felt an unexpected wave of relief.
Then she asked, "Why did you allow Derek to become so influential?"
He sat back.
"What do you mean?"
"You said he's a senior athlete. You said he helps with certain classes. But everyone in that room behaved as if he had authority over them."
Victor said nothing.
"Students watched him before deciding whether to laugh at me. They looked at him when he challenged me. Even after you told him to stop, he continued because he believed the class would support him."
Nia's voice remained calm.
"That didn't happen in fourteen seconds. It happened over time."
Victor looked down at his desk.
None of them answered her question.
"I thought his influence was good for the academy," Victor admitted.
"Why?"
"Because he brought in students. He won competitions. People respected him."
"Did they respect him, or were they afraid of disappointing him?"
Victor looked up sharply.
Nia did not press the point.
After a moment, Victor said, "I think I need to consider that."
"That's all I'm asking."
He leaned forward.