Two sure things were going to happen today.
Number one, the investigation council would find me guilty. Number two, they would find me not guilty.
That contradiction alone has been in my mind for seven days now like a bomb waiting to explode. There was no middle ground, no maybe, no postponement. Today, my fate would be decided.
It had been a week since two members from the council had shown up at Rhett’s house to ask me some questions. I’d braced myself for the worst, created every worst-case scenario I could imagine.
I’d expected accusations about the data breach, questions about my access to the student data or even interrogation about my relationships with influential students.
I’d imagined a dark room with only a single lamp overhead, and a barking man or woman demanding I tell them the truth, or suffer the consequences.
I’d gotten instead a middle-aged woman with a bright smile on her face and a man dressed casually.
The woman had smiled at me when I walked up to her and introduced myself as Eamon. When she’d made sure I was seated, she asked the first question.
"Who takes care of you?"
I stared at her, shocked by the question. The words had touched a soft spot in my heart, and I felt my chest tighten as I stared on. It didn’t help that she still had that warm smile on her face, and it felt like I could tell her anything without being judged.
Still, I couldn’t bring myself to answer.
After a few more seconds of uncomfortable silence, she consulted her notebook and asked again. This time, she was specific.
"How does it feel to come from a home where you are not loved by your father and not accepted by society because of the circumstances surrounding your birth?"
My heart had leapt straight into my throat. For one terrifying second, I panicked, thinking my real identity as Charis Greye, the runaway Alpha’s daughter, had been exposed. My palms had gone cold, and all I could do was sit and stare at her with shock.
Slater had then come forward. He and the boys were lounging in the background of the room, watching silently. So, Slater had come forward and said.
"Being a child born out of wedlock isn’t a crime. The child shouldn’t be blamed for the actions of two adults."
That single line seemed to revive me. I instantly remembered I was supposed to be Eamon Riggs. The bastard son of Alpha Riggs. That was what they were asking about, not my real identity but the fabricated one I’d created.
"It’s...hard," I’d stammered, as the words came because I could relate to the pain of rejection, even if for different reasons.
"Growing up knowing your father wishes you didn’t exist, that your presence is a painful reminder to him. Plus, when people look at you and see a mistake, you learn to make yourself smaller, hoping that maybe if you’re invisible enough, the judgment won’t hurt as much."
"But it always did?" the woman asked quietly.
"Much more than I want to admit," I nodded. "Every whisper, every sideways glance, every time someone mentions legitimate children and you know you’ll never be one of them, it cuts deep. You start believing maybe they’re right, maybe I’m really worthless and don’t deserve love or acceptance or even respect." ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ꜰʀᴏᴍ NovᴇlFirᴇ(.)nᴇt
The woman nodded with understanding.
"I see you have a good relationship with your half-brother, Slater Riggs, right?" She flicked a glance at Slater, and I nodded.
The woman nodded and scribbled something into her notebook. "That’s all," she said when she looked up.
I was perplexed and was tempted to ask her if she was sure, but she had already closed her notebook and was putting it inside her bag. Then she and the other man rose and left. The man didn’t even say a word.
I was more confused and hopeful that I might have given them what they were looking for.
And now, here I was a week later,
Sitting in a dock in front of the whole Academy, trembling inwardly while trying to put on a brave face.
Headmistress Vale had suspended classes for the day, making sure every single person in the Academy was in attendance. In her words:
"This will remind every student that our law bends for no one and that accountability must exist even among the privileged.
The great hall, the first place I’d come to when I first came to Ravenshore, had been transformed into a makeshift courtroom. The investigation council, consisting of about six members, was seated at a long table facing me.
Behind them, the entire student body filled three rows of seats.
The investigation council was currently playing the CCTV footage for everyone to watch. It was the clip of me slipping into the classroom, accessing computer terminals, and moving through the corridors during the temporary lockdown.
I watched as students murmured and pointed to the screen, then turned and looked at me with disgust.
According to the standard procedure, the investigative council consisted of six individuals considered incorruptible by the Council of Education, alongside a student jury of approximately six students.
My heart had nearly stopped when I spotted Kael among the jury members wearing an unreadable mask on his face as he stared ahead.
Since our night in the garden, since we’d marked each other and completed our mate bond, Kael had grown distant. In fact, he blocked my ability to communicate with him through our bond, saying he was deeply immersed in something and needed all the focus he could muster.
He would often disappear during the day after classes and reappear late at night. Anytime I tried to initiate an intimate moment with him, he blocked me off. He would say he’s not in the mood, and it was driving Rhyme crazy.
I’ve tried to explain to her that we couldn’t force Kael to be with us if he didn’t want to, but she wouldn’t hear of it, and because of that, my mood has been fluctuating. It has also been affecting my relationships with Slater and Rhett.
Two days ago, we’d had a complete blowout. Both of them wanted attention from me, but Rhyme didn’t want her other mates; she wanted Kael. So, we ended up quarrelling. I was shouting at the top of my lungs about how they didn’t understand and how they couldn’t possibly realise how much weight I had on my shoulders from having multiple mates.
I’d stormed to Kael’s room in the middle of the night, and he’d taken one look at me before letting me in.
He didn’t say a word to me, nor did he ask what was wrong; he went back to his reading table and busied himself with his school work. I’d patiently waited for him to finish up and come to the bed, but I’d dozed off.
When I woke up the next morning, I found him sleeping on the couch. It was a clear indication that he didn’t want to be with me.
The CCTV clips finished playing, and the lead investigator raised a hand to stop the noise.
He was a tall, grey-haired man.
"We are here for two reasons. First, confidential student information was leaked from this Academy. Information on students’ health records, academic records, private communications and even their deepest secrets was entrusted with the Academy and exposed for the whole to see." He paused.
"As a result of this breach, fifty-four families have filed lawsuits against Ravenshore Academy for breach of contract and violation of privacy, and more parents are still in the process. They are all saying one thing: the Academy failed to protect their children." He paused again.
"Currently, the Academy has spent more than four hundred and seven million dollars for settlements, damage control with the press and a lot of other things which cannot be mentioned here."
Gasps and murmurs rippled through the crowd. My stomach dropped even further.
"More so," she continued. "Three students have withdrawn from the Academy due to the emotional distress caused by having their private information exposed. The reputation of this institution, built over centuries, has been severely damaged."
The man’s gaze shifted to me.
"So, we’re here to hold someone accountable for these actions and ensure justice is served. We will not allow such carelessness to go unpunished."
Another man on the council with wire-rimmed glasses took over. "The evidence clearly shows unauthorised access to restricted systems during specific periods. We have surveillance footage, digital timestamps, a confession from Eamon Riggs and a witness testimony."
My heart sank again as the wire-rimmed man turned to me.
"Eamon Riggs, please step forward."
I stood with stiff legs and clammy palms and walked to take the stand in front of them.
"State your full name for the record," the man demanded.
"E-Eamon Riggs," I stammered.
"Speak up," he snapped. "The entire assembly needs to hear you."
"Eamon Riggs," I repeated, louder this time."
He nodded and turned to face the crowd. "We will now begin with the official questioning of Eamon Riggs."