strange that he's even here at this hour. I'm the only one that burns the midnight oil around here as is the case tonight with the clock nearing ten.
I turn off my computer and hit the lights. As I walk down stairs, the paranoia in my body starts to grow. After turning down the last stairwell, I can see Derrick's office with the lights on. Several voices are arguing with each other as I near the door. I can't quite make out what they are disagreeing about but the pit in my stomach leads me to believe I'm about to know in a minute.
"Derrick?"
"I know it can't be your work but you better be prepared to defend yourself. The evidence they have compiled is substantial and they're out for blood," Derrick hisses.
We enter his office and I'm face to face with the Dean of Students and several members on the board of directors for the university. The color drains from my face. The panic inside of me increases so much that I'm almost shaking. My palms become slick with sweat as an icy chill runs through the rest of my body. I steady my breathing to keep from hyperventilating. It's like watching a horror movie only I'm starring in it rather than observing it.
The Dean is sitting in Derrick's chair with two board members lining the back wall. Dean Martin motions to the seat in front of him.
"Ms. Ryan, it took you long enough," he snaps.
Taken aback by his harsh tone, I stumble into the chair.
"I'm sorry. I was finishing the paper for tomorrow and missed the first phone attempt from Mr. Smith. May I inquire what this meeting is regarding?"
His eyes pierce into mine causing me to cower under the wrath behind them.
"Acting like you have no idea why you're here only makes this matter that much worse for you. I suggest you take this seriously."
The pit eating away at my stomach starts to rise making me fight the urge to throw up.
"I'm sorry sir. I don't understand why I'm here," I reply.
His eyes go from fury to outrage. "Let us enlighten you. It seems that you're planning to print malicious and false content about the university and several members of the board."
I pale clutching my hands around my stomach hoping that they will help contain the contents that persistently push to make their way to the surface. Derrick stirs in his chair seeing my reaction.
"Dean, we should discuss this further to determine the IP address those files can be traced back to. It's a public drive for the university that can easily be manipulated."
He waives a hand in Derrick's direction effectively silencing him. The vein in his forehead looks like it's about to burst with the level of anger he's trying to contain.
"Derrick, we have done the necessary research and you have pleaded your student's case. We have taken what you said into consideration. Going forward, you will not be stating another word as this is now up to Ms. Ryan to clarify."
I'm flabbergasted so I finally speak up. "Sir, there's a misunderstanding. I would never print anything malicious about the university or its faculty."
Dean Martin slams his fists down on the desk so forcefully that Derrick and I jump.
"Ms. Ryan, we have the hard evidence. When were you planning to print this article?"
I stare in confusion. He lets out an agitated puff of air as he turns Derrick's monitor around so it's facing me. My jaw drops in disbelief. I'm staring at a file that links to the folder I use for the paper. It's nothing I wrote but the final print layout is reflecting me as the author. My stomach swan dives into the basement as my head begins to spin so fast I think it might roll off. I take a steadying breath to keep my cool. The article is so damaging. It states that the university is receiving money from illegal resources and that various people on the board including the Dean are seeing back end payouts from these sources. The pressure inside my chest coupled with the tears demanding to be set free are close to taking over.
"Dean Martin, I know this doesn't look good but I didn't write
I turn off my computer and hit the lights. As I walk down stairs, the paranoia in my body starts to grow. After turning down the last stairwell, I can see Derrick's office with the lights on. Several voices are arguing with each other as I near the door. I can't quite make out what they are disagreeing about but the pit in my stomach leads me to believe I'm about to know in a minute.
"Derrick?"
"I know it can't be your work but you better be prepared to defend yourself. The evidence they have compiled is substantial and they're out for blood," Derrick hisses.
We enter his office and I'm face to face with the Dean of Students and several members on the board of directors for the university. The color drains from my face. The panic inside of me increases so much that I'm almost shaking. My palms become slick with sweat as an icy chill runs through the rest of my body. I steady my breathing to keep from hyperventilating. It's like watching a horror movie only I'm starring in it rather than observing it.
The Dean is sitting in Derrick's chair with two board members lining the back wall. Dean Martin motions to the seat in front of him.
"Ms. Ryan, it took you long enough," he snaps.
Taken aback by his harsh tone, I stumble into the chair.
"I'm sorry. I was finishing the paper for tomorrow and missed the first phone attempt from Mr. Smith. May I inquire what this meeting is regarding?"
His eyes pierce into mine causing me to cower under the wrath behind them.
"Acting like you have no idea why you're here only makes this matter that much worse for you. I suggest you take this seriously."
The pit eating away at my stomach starts to rise making me fight the urge to throw up.
"I'm sorry sir. I don't understand why I'm here," I reply.
His eyes go from fury to outrage. "Let us enlighten you. It seems that you're planning to print malicious and false content about the university and several members of the board."
I pale clutching my hands around my stomach hoping that they will help contain the contents that persistently push to make their way to the surface. Derrick stirs in his chair seeing my reaction.
"Dean, we should discuss this further to determine the IP address those files can be traced back to. It's a public drive for the university that can easily be manipulated."
He waives a hand in Derrick's direction effectively silencing him. The vein in his forehead looks like it's about to burst with the level of anger he's trying to contain.
"Derrick, we have done the necessary research and you have pleaded your student's case. We have taken what you said into consideration. Going forward, you will not be stating another word as this is now up to Ms. Ryan to clarify."
I'm flabbergasted so I finally speak up. "Sir, there's a misunderstanding. I would never print anything malicious about the university or its faculty."
Dean Martin slams his fists down on the desk so forcefully that Derrick and I jump.
"Ms. Ryan, we have the hard evidence. When were you planning to print this article?"
I stare in confusion. He lets out an agitated puff of air as he turns Derrick's monitor around so it's facing me. My jaw drops in disbelief. I'm staring at a file that links to the folder I use for the paper. It's nothing I wrote but the final print layout is reflecting me as the author. My stomach swan dives into the basement as my head begins to spin so fast I think it might roll off. I take a steadying breath to keep my cool. The article is so damaging. It states that the university is receiving money from illegal resources and that various people on the board including the Dean are seeing back end payouts from these sources. The pressure inside my chest coupled with the tears demanding to be set free are close to taking over.
"Dean Martin, I know this doesn't look good but I didn't write
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