But it was Lillian Vance who intervened, grabbing control of the situation. "Enough.
You agreed to apologize, Levi, so you need to follow through."
"You're a grown man. Don't tell me you're backing out now."
Lillian had no intention of letting them drag this argument out any longer.
She could see that Claire was entirely too sharp for her own good.
She had a quick tongue, but her mind was even quicker.
If they kept talking, there was a very real chance Sloane would end up having to apologize, too.
Sloane was Vice President Sterling's daughter, after all; she required a certain level of protection.
Lillian was far from foolish.
It was painfully obvious that Sloane had played a part in stirring up this mess.
But facts were facts-Sloane's connections meant that Lillian was willing to do her father a favor.
She needed to put an end to this right now.
Besides, there was already an idiot eagerly volunteering to take the fall for her.
"Just give us a time, Claire, and I'll make sure he gives you that apology."
"If he tries to bail, I'll march him down to the cafeteria myself."
Claire could tell that Ms. Vance was desperately trying to smooth things over.
Zane Harrison shot Claire a subtle glance, silently urging her to quit while she was ahead.
She was going to be at this university for at least four years, and there would inevitably come a day when she'd need the Vice President's favor.
If the administration decided to block her scholarships or academic awards, her life would become needlessly difficult.
They could even sabotage her chances of a graduate recommendation.
As much as Zane wanted to be the fearless mentor who stood up to authority for his students, sometimes survival meant bowing to reality.
Claire recognized that the professors were looking out for her best interests. It really was time to wrap this up.
So, she readily gave them a timeline. "The rumors started spreading yesterday, so obviously, I want this cleared up as quickly as possible."
The confrontation had happened at noon, so the apology could happen in the afternoon.
Since Claire wanted it done swiftly, Lillian didn't argue.
She looked at her student. "Levi, you'll go to the cafeteria after classes today to apologize. Understood?"
She gave him a sharp look that practically screamed at him not to push his luck. What else could he do?
He had no choice but to agree.
"Fine."
The only sign of his crushing reluctance was his tightly clenched fists.
Not that anyone cared.
Claire smiled pleasantly. "The Student Council should have a megaphone, right?"
The council members who had
tagged along to watch the drama
exchanged terrified glances, a collective shiver running down their spines.
This girl was absolutely ruthless.
Did she want to completely destroy him?
Levi was incredibly arrogant and possessed a fragile male ego.
Forcing him to apologize in the cafeteria was bad enough, but demanding he use a megaphone?
Was she trying to broadcast his sins to the entire campus?
Before Levi could even open his mouth, someone quietly chimed in, "We have one!"
Claire looked back at Lillian. "Are we allowed to use it, Ms. Vance?"
Lillian let out a breath of disbelief, nearly laughing in frustration.
She shot Zane a withering glare just look at the kind of student you're raising!
Making someone apologize through a megaphone was practically public execution.
Levi's neck was flushed a furious crimson.
If there hadn't been a crowd in the room, he probably would have lunged at Claire.
Geniuses were certainly brilliant, but they often lacked a basic understanding of social grace.
Lillian simply shook her head.
It wasn't that she disliked students
like Claire, she just worried that such
like behavior would eventually
gen&
girl into serious trouble.
"I'll take that as a yes. Thank you, Ms. Vance." Claire looked deceptively sweet.
But no one in the room dared to underestimate her anymore.
"Once the apology is done, this
matter is
settled. There's no need to
volve the police, correct?"
Lillian just needed to be absolutely sure.
She was terrified the girl might go back on her word and call the cops anyway.
Claire nodded. "Of course. I always keep my promises."