Gabbi sat down next to Jasmine and folded her arms. She did not answer her question.
The Director smiled wryly. "Miss Mangubat, we are deeply sorry for the issue brought by that article."
"So this is all about that," she whispered.
The Director nodded. "We have found the culprit. We already discussed this with your parents but I still have to summon them. They will be here ---" The Director stopped speaking when resounding footsteps were heard throughout the room. The divider door spat in her parents. The Director stood. "It's nice to have you here, Mr. and Mrs. Mangubat."
Her father nodded while her mother did not greet back. They sat down on either side of her. The Director just smiled and sat down on his chair.
A woman then entered. It was the Guidance Counselor of her Department, Mrs. Policarpio. She sat next to Jasmine and Jewel understood the woman was her blockmate’s guardian. When she looked at Gabbi, she was just folding her arms with no one sitting beside acting as a guardian.
Jewel frowned. Where was Gabbi's older brother? And why were the two called to the office with her and her parents?
The Director clasped his hands together. “Since all involved persons are here, I’ll explain what happened.
Our intel have said that there was a breaching of University's records, and the system was hacked at the midnight of July 2. It was a newly built virus so the maintenance hadn't noticed.
If it weren't because of that article, they won't find out that unauthorized body has override the whole system. After the IT retrieved the system, all data of the hacker including the IP address of the device used were gone. Our intel had a hard time to retrieve the lost data. It wasn't until Isagani noticed something. "
Isagani? Isn't that the name of the Professor who replaced Gideon?
The Director continued. "One of his students forgot a note under a desk. It was the University's Administrative password."
"Password?" she asked in surprise.
The director nodded. "Yes. That password was used to override the system. And we found out that one of the most trusted intel in this University had put the virus in our computers. Mr. Caliwag ..." The Director sighed. "Ms. Gabbiana Caliwag is the sister of Mr. Lineus Caliwag, the top intel of UDM and the person who put the virus in our computer. The note was found in Ms. Jasmine Policarpio's desk.
And upon retracing this case, we found out that Ms. Caliwag is the one who hacked the system and Ms. Policarpio's role is to get an administrative password from her mother... Mrs. Rosalinda Hernandez-Policarpio. "
Jewel threw a glance at Gabbi and Jasmine. Gabbiana Caliwag was Gabbi's full name while Jasmine Policarpio was Jasmine's complete name.
Her brows met and she shook her head. "But I can't understand. How could a BSED Science student and BSABE do this?" she whispered.
"When Mr. Isagani reported the note, it was also the time when the intel had retrieved the lost data and using GPS, they have located the address at Ms. Caliwag's house."
There was a moment of silence in the office before her father took a sip. "What punishment will be given to children?" Don Sebastian asked. "I don't want a petty suspension suspended, Hubes. I want to expel the two children."
"Mister Mangubat ---"
Don Sebastian's gaze deepened. "It's not just University policy that the two violated. A cybercrime happened and stole a password. In fact, I want to file a series of lawsuits against the two girls who tarnished Jewel Laine's name."
"Mr. Sebastian Mangubat," Jasmine tearfully promised. "I'm sorry. I'm very sorry, Sir. It's okay for me to be suspended or expelled but don't sue me. I admit that I stole confidential files from Mama's desk but I regret what happened." Jasmine sniffed and looked at her. "J-Jewel... I'm sorry..."
Her forehead creased at what Jasmine said. She just admitted that she did it. But ... Of all people, why it has to be Jasmine?
She thought it was Tiara who spread her secret. That's also the reason why she kept quiet and didn't pursue the perpetrator because she also didn't want Tiara to get suspended since they both had a past with each other.
Jewel was about to say something when her father spoke up. "You should have thought the result of your audacity, child. You fought with a Mangubat and not a single person who ran their mouth into a Mangubat could get away without being severely punished!" her father shouted.
He then looked at the Guidance Counselor who was just quietly next to Jasmine who was trembking in fear. "And you, Rosalinda. You don't know what shame your daughter has brought to your family! That girl is a growing thief! There is a saying that a bad fruit is not far from its branch! I don't want to think badly of Policarpio family, but your daughter has committed a great crime! Don't embarrass the Hernandez. Get away from Medellin if you don't want me to sue your daughter! "
"I-I'll do that, Mister Mangubat. I hope you'll forgive me. I failed to raise my daughter so she did that thing."
Jewel took a deep breathe. She had never seen her father blush from the restraint of anger. His fist was still clenched and he was trembling with difficulty to not lash out.
"You," her mother, Donya Belinda, suddenly said. The Donya looked up and down at Gabbi who was still bowing her head down, not meeting the hot gaze from her parents nor everyone present in the room.
Jewel wanted to enter but his mother grabbed her hand and squeezed hard. It's like telling her not to interfere.
Jewel could have done nothing but keep quiet. Because if she gets involved in the conversation she can really get a taste of her dad's wrath. She didn't want to test their patience, especially since she had no one to share the burden with in case her father decided to cut her schooling.
"Bad child! Who were your parents and why were you left to do evil? I'm sure they were bad people because you grew up bad!" her mother scolded Gabbi.
Her parents didn't know Gabbi nor Hazel and Tiara because she didn't introduce them to her parents. That's why Gabbi received bad words from her mother.
"Ma," she called and glanced at Gabbi. She noticed that Gabbi's fists were clenched as she bowed down. "She's my friend. She won't do that. There must be misunderstanding here," she finally defended.
Donya laughed. "What are you thinking, Jewel Laine? All the evidences are clear in the sunlight. They all point to that girl! If that's really your friend, she shouldn't have done the thing that would tarnish your name! "
"M-Ma..."
"Your mom's right, Jewel!" Jasmine suddenly said. "I requested Gabbi to hack the school system so I could access UDM website and publish the post. I paid her to do that. I begged her and she agreed, Jewel. That means that Gabbi wants to do it! So the blame is not just on me! Gabbi still has the greatest responsibility since she's the one who hacked the system and not me! Besides, if she's your friend, she shouldn't agree to do that in the first place! "