The Prison Lord's Release

Chapter 8

Marlene clenched her fists, then reluctantly sat down. She tried to calm herself by remembering that she had already arranged for the important security recordings to be deleted. As far as she knew, there was no evidence that Ruby had framed Ella.

'Even if Norbert leads the hearing, he can't prove anything.'

Norbert tapped the table twice. "The disciplinary hearing will now restart," he announced. "All previous statements will remain on record, but every claim will be examined again!"

Hope returned to Chloe's heart. Norbert turned toward Ruby. "Ruby Turner, tell us again what happened that day."

Ruby stood up and repeated her story with a sad expression. "As I said, I followed Ella because she looked sick. But when I entered the classroom, I saw her taking money from my bag," she explained again.

The CCTV footage was played. Several committee members nodded, believing Ruby's story.

Marlene smiled faintly. Ruby was a good actor, and the recording seemed to support her claim.

Norbert nodded before turning toward Ella. "Now it's your turn. No one is allowed to interrupt her without my permission."

Ella glanced at Chloe, who nodded encouragingly. "I only went to the classroom to get my water bottle," Ella explained softly. "I didn't take Ruby's money."

Frank opened his mouth to speak, but Preston's sharp gaze stopped him. Norbert reached into his briefcase and took out a small black storage device.

"The evidence isn't complete yet," he announced.

He connected the device to the school's laptop, and a new recording appeared on the large screen. Marlene and Ruby's faces turned pale.

The video showed Ruby entering the classroom after Ella had left. She opened Ella's bag, took money from her own pocket, and placed it inside before leaving.

The room fell silent. One committee member slowly stood up. "Ruby was the one who put the money in Ella's bag?" she whispered.

Another member stared at the screen in disbelief. "Then Ella was innocent from the beginning?"

Chloe covered her mouth with both hands. Tears of relief filled her eyes as the truth finally came out.

Marlene jumped to her feet. "That recording is fake!" she shouted. "Someone must have edited it!"

Norbert calmly took out another document. "This is a report from an independent digital forensic expert. The recording has been checked, and there are no signs of editing or manipulation."

Preston examined the report carefully, then raised his head.

"The report is genuine," he confirmed. "The recording has not been altered."

Marlene's face turned white. Norbert was not finished. He opened another folder and displayed several more recordings on the screen.

The first showed Ruby pushing Ella in the hallway. The second showed Ruby mocking Ella for being an orphan, while another recording showed her bullying a classmate. Several students also appeared in recorded interviews, describing how Ruby had threatened and bullied them.

The committee members were shocked.

"I can't believe this has been happening at our school," one member whispered.

"Those complaints were never brought to the committee," another replied in shame.

Marlene shook her head wildly. "No! None of this is true!" she screamed. "You're all being deceived!"

Norbert ignored her and displayed the final recording. This time, the screen showed Marlene handing Frank an envelope inside a car. Although the camera had no sound, the meaning of the exchange was clear.

Frank's face turned white. "Th-This isn't what you think!" he stammered.

Preston slammed the table. "Enough! We have evidence of cheating, bullying, and bribery. This school won't protect anyone who commits such acts."

He turned toward the committee members. "Effective immediately, Ruby Turner is expelled from Lindenhall School," he stated.

Marlene felt as if she had been struck by lightning. "This decision is invalid!" she screamed. "My daughter belongs to the Turner Family! You can't expel her!"

Preston stood firm. "My decision is final. No family name or donation can protect a student who has committed such serious violations," he said.

"Then return all the sponsorship money my family has given this school!" Marlene's face twisted with anger. "Without our support, you won't be able to maintain your magical security systems or even pay for your equipment!"

"Very well. I'll arrange for the money to be returned after the accounts are checked." Preston chuckled coldly.

Marlene stared at him in disbelief. She had expected him to panic, but he seemed completely unbothered by her threat.

She had always relied on the Turner Family's wealth to protect herself. Years ago, she had come from a poor background and had managed to marry into the powerful Turner Family after seducing one of its sons and becoming pregnant before marriage.

Although she had secured her position as his wife, her mother-in-law had never accepted her. The older woman believed Marlene wanted only the family's money and status.

If her mother-in-law learned of Ruby's expulsion, Marlene would have to explain why her daughter had disgraced the Turner Family. She feared that the older woman would use the incident as another excuse to turn the family against her.

That's why she couldn't allow Ruby to be expelled. It was no longer just about her daughter's education.

With no other choice, Marlene knelt. "Please reconsider!" she begged. "I'll give the school even more money if you let Ruby stay!"

Ruby began crying beside her mother. She knew being expelled would shame her family, and she had never imagined her lies would be exposed in front of so many people.

Preston showed no sympathy. "Security!" he called.

Two guards immediately entered the room.

"Take them out," Preston ordered.

Marlene stood up quickly and slapped a guard's hand away. "Don't touch me!" she shouted. "I'm Marlene Turner! My husband will make you regret this!"

Preston folded his arms. "Your husband can do whatever he wants. I will not change my decision because of the Turner Family."

"You have no idea what you're doing!" she screamed. "I'll make sure this school pays for humiliating me!"