Chapter 172: Make it right

She pushed herself to her feet so quickly the chair scraped loudly across the floor. Without thinking, she ran to him.

Nathan barely had time to open his arms before she threw herself against him.

Her fingers clutched the back of his shirt so tightly they wrinkled the fabric. "I didn't do it." Her voice cracked. "I swear I didn't."

Nathan wrapped both arms around her immediately, holding her so firmly it was as though he was afraid someone would try to pull her away again. "I know."

Tears rolled freely down Amelia's cheeks. "I've never even seen those papers before."

Nathan rested one hand against the back of her head, gently smoothing her hair as she cried against his shoulder. "I believe you."

"They wouldn't listen."

"They will." Nathan closed his eyes for a brief moment. Hearing the panic in her voice hurt far more than he expected.

"You don't have to convince me." His own voice had grown unsteady. "You never have to convince me."

Amelia buried her face against his chest again.

Ryan quietly looked away, giving them the little privacy the room allowed.

Beside him, Mira covered her mouth with trembling fingers. She had been trying so hard not to cry again. Seeing Amelia break down destroyed what little composure she had left. A soft sob escaped before she quickly wiped her eyes.

The room remained silent, until another voice interrupted. "What is happening here?"

Everyone turned.

Dr. Victor Grant had just entered the office carrying a folder beneath one arm.

His eyes moved from the security officers, to Nathan, then finally settled on Amelia.

His expression changed instantly. "Amelia?" He looked genuinely stunned. "You?"

Amelia lowered her head. "I didn't steal the examination paper, sir."

Dr. Victor stared at her for several long seconds. He had expected many things, but not seeing her as the person who stole the examination paper.

Nathan stepped forward before anyone else could speak. "Sir." His voice was calm despite the emotion tightening his throat. "I know how this looks."

Dr. Victor remained silent.

Nathan continued. "Please." He glanced briefly toward Amelia before looking back at the senior lecturer. "Don't take this any further yet."

Dr. Victor folded his arms slowly. "Nathan..."

"I'll find out what happened." There was no hesitation in his voice. "I'll find the person responsible."

The older man studied him carefully. "This isn't a hockey match."

"I understand."

"This is an examination malpractice case."

"I understand that too."

"If she's guilty..."

Nathan shook his head. "She isn't." The certainty in those two words filled the room.

Ryan finally stepped forward. "Sir..."

Dr. Victor looked at him.

"You prepared today's examination paper yourself?"

"I did."

Ryan nodded thoughtfully. "Where did you keep it before this morning?"

"At home." Dr. Victor answered without hesitation.

"I finalized everything there before bringing it to campus."

Ryan's brow furrowed. "Has she ever visited your house? Or does she even know your house?”

"Never."

Ryan looked around the room. "So let me understand this." He spoke carefully, making sure every word landed. "The paper was kept inside your home."

"Yes."

"And Amelia doesn't know where your house is."

"Correct."

"So how exactly was she supposed to steal it?"

The question lingered in the room.

One of the security officers cleared his throat. "It was still found in her bag."

Ryan turned toward him. "I'm aware."

The officer folded his arms. "That is enough evidence for us."

Nathan looked directly at the man. "Is it?"

The officer frowned.

Nathan took a slow step closer. "What if you're wrong?"

Nobody answered.

Nathan continued. "What if someone planted it?"

Another officer shook his head. "That's only speculation."

"So is assuming she's guilty." Nathan's voice remained remarkably steady. "You've decided what happened before asking how it could have happened."

The office fell quiet.

Mira finally managed to speak through her tears.

"I've been with Amelia almost every day."

Everyone looked at her.

"We've been studying together in the library, revising in the journalism building and leaving campus together." She wiped another tear from her face. "She barely had time to eat, let alone steal examination papers."

Her voice trembled. "The Amelia I know wouldn't cheat."

Silence settled once again.

Dr. Victor looked toward Amelia.

She hadn't said another word. She simply stood beside Nathan, her fingers still gripping the sleeve of his shirt as though letting go would make everything around her collapse.

Dr. Victor let out a slow breath. "I'll be honest."

His voice softened. "I find this difficult to believe."

The security officers exchanged uneasy glances.

Dr. Victor looked at Nathan. "I am not closing this case."

Nathan nodded once. "I wasn't asking you to."

"But..." Dr. Victor paused. "I am willing to give you an opportunity."

Nathan waited.

"You have until the disciplinary committee meets."

He closed the folder in his hands. "If you can prove someone framed Amelia." He glanced toward her.

"This matter ends here."

"And if we can't?" Nathan asked quietly.

Dr. Victor's expression became solemn. "Then the university will proceed with disciplinary action according to its regulations."

The words landed heavily. Nobody spoke for several seconds.

Finally, Nathan nodded. "We'll find the truth."

"I sincerely hope you do." Dr. Victor turned and walked toward the door before stopping briefly.

Without looking back, he added quietly, "For Amelia's sake." The office remained silent after he left.

Ryan was the first to move. "I'll get the car."

Nathan nodded absentmindedly.

Ryan hurried out of the building at a run.

Nathan looked down at Amelia. Her eyes were swollen from crying. She looked exhausted and lost. He gently brushed a strand of hair away from her face.

"We're leaving."

She blinked at him. "My hostel..."

Nathan shook his head. "I can't let you go there, not now and definitely not in this condition."

She didn't argue.

A few minutes later, Ryan pulled Nathan's car to the front of the security office.

Nathan opened the passenger door himself. Amelia slid into the seat without saying a word. Mira climbed quietly into the back beside Ryan.

No one spoke as Nathan started the engine. Instead of turning toward the female hostels, he drove in the opposite direction toward his apartment.

Amelia noticed the familiar route through tear-filled eyes, but she didn't try to argue as usual.

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