Chapter 8 - THE STUDENTS THEY CALLED VOLUNTEERS.
Mateo Alvarez was found alive in a private rehabilitation center outside Chicago.
He had signed research consent after the university threatened to report his undocumented father and cancel his sister’s housing.
Vale called him a volunteer.
Rosa answered, “A signature written under terror is not consent.”
Mateo revealed that Lily had entered the basement to copy records and free students still bound by contracts.
Helen found her and tried to escort her out.
Before they reached the walkway, an unknown official confronted them.
Mateo heard Lily shout, “You cannot own people because they need tuition.”
The university board offered every affected family confidential settlements.
Daniel refused to speak for them.
The students formed an independent council and demanded public records, restored credits and control of research created through their labor.
Then Mateo identified the official from a photograph.
It was Senator Charles Whitman, chairman of the federal education committee and Vale’s largest political protector.
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Whitman had arrived at the hospital that morning.
He was standing outside Lily’s room.
