Noah laughed.
"I wasn't."
Marcus looked at him.
Noah smiled.
"I'm joking."
For the first time, the four of them laughed together.
Then Raymond entered.
"Enough talking."
Everyone stood.
Raymond looked at the students.
"Today, you're going to learn something important."
He pointed toward Eli.
"Sometimes the quietest person in the room sees the most."
Then he pointed toward Marcus.
"Sometimes the strongest person needs to learn restraint."
Then Derek.
"Sometimes being wrong is the beginning of becoming better."
Then Noah.
"And sometimes being knocked down is useful."
The students laughed.
Noah bowed dramatically.
"Thank you."
Raymond smiled.
"Now train."
Eli stepped onto the mat.
This time, the others followed him.
Not to challenge him.
To learn from him.
Three weeks later, an unfamiliar man walked into Westbridge.
He was in his fifties.
Expensive coat.
Silver hair.
Calm eyes.
Raymond recognized him immediately.
Victor Shaw.
Derek's father.
Derek froze.
"What are you doing here?"
Victor looked at his son.
"I came to apologize."
Derek shook his head.
"To me?"
"To everyone."
He turned toward Eli.
"I owe your family the biggest apology."
Eli said nothing.
Victor continued.
"Your father was telling the truth."
The room became silent.
"I was involved."
Derek looked devastated.
"Why?"
"Money."
Victor lowered his head.
"I thought I could control the consequences."
"You destroyed people."
"I know."
Victor handed Raymond a folder.
"Everything is inside."
Names.
Accounts.
Records.
Evidence.
The truth that had been buried for thirteen years.
Raymond took the folder.