Chapter 5 - THE PROFESSOR WHO CHOSE THE DONOR’S SON.
Helen admitted meeting Lily that night but denied harming her.
Lily had brought evidence that Andrew stole research and that Dean Vale diverted scholarship funds into the donor program.
Helen asked her to wait until after the federal grant decision.
“You asked my daughter to remain quiet so a wealthy student could receive credit,” Daniel said.
Helen replied that exposing the fraud immediately would have canceled funding for dozens of low-income students.
Tessa stepped forward.
“You protected our scholarships by teaching us they belonged to donors, not to us.”
Helen admitted taking Lily’s folder for safekeeping.
She returned it to Vale the next morning.
Daniel stared at her.
“You handed evidence to the man it accused.”
Federal investigators froze the grant.
Then Dr. Harris discovered a tiny laboratory tag caught inside the seam of Lily’s hoodie.
The tag belonged to a restricted basement facility beneath the science building.
According to university maps, the room had been sealed for twenty years.
Its current access holder was Lily Mercer.
Daniel whispered, “She never told me she had a key.”
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Lily opened her eyes and mouthed:
“I didn’t.”
