She scans the crowd.
“To protect the privacy of everyone involved, no names will be released.”
Her gaze drifts back to me, just for a second.
“I apologize for the pain and distress I have caused. I will be taking a temporary leave of absence while my actions undergo internal review. Effective immediately.”
Hands shoot into the air. Voices call out questions. The cameras keep flashing.
Dr. Penelope Stone does not waver.
“I have one more thing to say.”
The lawyer turns sharply toward her. Penelope doesn’t look at her.
She draws a breath.
“A portion of my personal funds will be dedicated to expanding restorative justice programs across the state.”
My throat tightens. The message is unmistakable. She isn’t just supporting a cause. She’s supporting me.
“This is not an attempt to repair my reputation,” she adds evenly. “But it is an attempt to repair the harm I caused.”
She pauses, scanning the room one last time, until her eyes return to mine.
I hold her gaze.
“I accept all outcomes of the investigation.”
CHAPTER 70 – ANTONIO
Caspian and Penelope are in a private consultation room down the hall withtheir parents. I’m waiting in the corridor with mine. The more we hear, the more our faces change—horror creeping in, slow and sickening—until it becomes almost unbearable to stand there and listen.
“You humiliated us,” Mr. Stone says. “This kind of circus is something your brother might have done . Never you.”
I grind my teeth.
“Where is that spineless husband of yours?” he continues. “His absence was a further embarrassment for us.”
Penelope’s voice is clear, edged with steel. “Daniel is with his girlfriend, I presume. It doesn’t matter. I’ve enjoyed myself tremendously without him.”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Mrs. Stone snaps. “Go to couples therapy or buy something. Divorce is off the table.”
“Stephen will fix this,” Mr. Stone says, his voice rising.
“No, Father,” Penelope says. She sounds tired but certain. “What I did today was the fix.”
Then I hear Caspian. My stomach flips at the sound of his steady voice. “I stand behind Penelope one hundred percent. She did the right thing.”
Mr. Stone scoffs loudly enough that we hear it through the door.
“Of course you’d think that. With restorative justice as your little hobby.”
My hands curl into fists.
“It’s my future career,” Caspian replies without raising his voice. “And what Penelope demonstrated is called accountability.”
“How dare you talk back to me!”
