System Revenge: From Trash Boy to Top Boss

Chapter 32

The auditorium at Woodhurst Academy was filled with excitement and anticipation. Lots of folding chairs lined up with students, teachers, and staff. They looked at questions alike with curiosity but also morbid fascination. The air was filled with whispers. " Did he really cheat? " " Is he getting expelled? " " I read he bribed a teacher! "

At the very front of the room, on a raised platform, stood Brenda Harrow, her lips sunken with a self-congratulatory smile. Behind her at the corners were Mr. Langley, Ms. Patel, and Mrs. Ellis, who radiated a sense of justification. A long table sat before them, before which was alone Damon, his smile so tranquil he could not make out the details.

Brenda threw a gavel at the podium, making waves in the hall. “We’re now in session for this disciplinary hearing, ” Brenda mumbled, loudly demanding an approving audience. “We are here with serious allegations of misconduct against Damon Newton. ”

She turned to Damon and her frosty eyes bulged. "Mr. Newton, you've been accused of cheating on the last exam, running an illegal business on campus, and spreading anti-student and staff gossip. How do you plead?”

Damon's eyes swept over her, his voice steady: "Not guilty, Ms. Harrow.”

Brenda's smirk widened. "Will see. Mr. Langley, please table the first charge.”

Mr. Langley arose, inexplicably turning his glasses resolutely to one side, "Credit all the suspiciousness to Danon Newton for getting a perfect score on Dr. Patel's chemistry exam last week.”

But paused for effect and said: "We have some evidence we have that Mr. Newton got the answers in advance, illegally. Somebody in the student body has been rumoring that he paid a teacher for the answer key.”

There was a muffled murmur in the audience, Damon smirking his eyes at Mr. Langley.

Ms. Patel lowered her voice, smelling of contempt. "I administered the exam myself. And I can tell you that there was nothing to cheat about; but as for Mr. Newton's sudden and surprising improvement, well, you could ask quite serious questions.”

She looked up at Damon with half a frown on her face, "Can you tell me how you scored so well, Mr Newton, or was it that you paid somebody to do it for you?”

Damon's tone was kind. “I studied hard, Dr. Patel, I went over the material, worked on all the problems, and went to the exam prepared.”

Brenda scoffed. "That's hardly a convincing explanation. We have reason to believe that you engaged in bribery, Mr. Newton. Do you deny it?"

"I deny it," Damon replied firmly. "I did not bribe anyone. I earned my score through hard work and dedication."

Mrs. Ellis rose, her voice filled with indignation. "Let's move on to the second charge. Mr. Newton is accused of operating an illegal business on campus, providing unauthorized services for profit."

She gestured to a display board, where photos of Damon delivering lunches and carrying books were pinned. "These photos clearly show Mr. Newton engaging in commercial activity, in violation of school policy."

Mr. Langley added, "He's been seen accepting money from students in exchange for these services. It's a clear case of exploitation."

Damon's voice was steady. "I provide a service to students who are busy or unable to run errands themselves. I charge a small f*e to cover my expenses. It's not illegal, and it doesn't violate any school rules."

Brenda's voice was sharp. "It's a clear violation of our code of conduct, Mr. Newton. You are using school resources for personal gain."

Ms. Patel chimed in, "And what about the rumors that you're doing homework for other students? Are you denying that, too?"

Damon shook his head. "I only run errands, Dr. Patel. I never do homework for anyone."

Then Mrs. Ellis leaned forward with her voice brimming with accusation. “Lastly Mr. Newton is accused of spreading misinformation about students and staff and engendering an atmosphere of distrust and bitterness on the campus.

She leaped to a set of printed images of social media messages, packed with gossip and speculation. "They have been identified as coming from Mr. Newton's online accounts, and he certainly is behind this malicious gossip. "

Damon’s tone was firm, “I’m not responsible for what other people post online. I have no control over what they do. ”

The grin widened in Brenda's eyes. "So you're denying all of them, Mr. Newton? Are you even guilty of anything else? "

"I do," Damon replied, his voice unwavering.

The murmur escaped from the audience – louder this time – and some students looked suspiciously at Damon, others sympathetically. The teachers and staff were still convinced, however, that he was guilty.

Brenda again sounded the gavel, wiping out the crowd, "Very well Mr Newton, you've been heard, and now we're going to hear from the witnesses who can prove your misconduct. "