Professor Claire stared intensely at him, her brows creased.
"You know my niece?"
"Come on, Professor." Nate sighed. "I am sure you have seen the news about Nyx and I recently."
"What news?" She was utterly confused. Nate slowly realized she may not be conversant with the school gossip and rumors. She was too focused on her job.
But he had no time to explain, "Did she go back home? I have been trying to reach her…"
He waited desperately for an answer as she scrutinized him with narrowed eyes..
"I don't know your relationship with Nyx but you seem worried, so, I will check on her for you. I haven't been home in a long while too…"
"Ohh…" For a moment, he was deflated. However, he had hope of getting in touch with her, "I will come for an update after my meeting."
Quickly, she turned away while Nate walked into the building. His eyes scoured every inch of the place, wondering if there would be a full-blown attack or if Rick and his minions were hiding somewhere.
However, there was none.
He finally got into the main meeting room, where Mason was seated at the head of the table and Daven stood far away from him, with his head down.
"Welcome…" Mason immediately stood up, when Nate appeared at the door. He stretched out his hand, as he met Nate halfway.
The reception was warm, and even the executives who had been so snobbish the last time he was here now stood on their feet to greet him.
He didn't stand on ceremony or try to be humble as he shook Mason's hand.
"It's good to feel the new energy in here. I think there was a clean sweep…"
His eyes trailed on Daven who looked up at him with red eyes, and fists clenched. He couldn't control himself as he pointed at Nate.
"You…" He gritted his teeth as he snapped. "Who do you think you are?"
"You dare insult me—"
"That's enough, Daven!" Mason cut in with a cold gaze and a voice that sent a chill down everyone's spine.
Last night, he looked so cheerful and carefree but before everyone here, he looked like a leader who wouldn't tolerate indiscipline.
As Daven went quiet, he ushered Nate to take a seat by his right side which used to be Daven's original position.
"There must be a reason this meeting was called, right?" Nate asked as he settled in his seat. "It's not the time to tender my financial records, is it?"
He glanced at Daven again while he continued to speak, "I am sure the leader here must have done a great job of holding off the authorities on my behalf."
Everyone shifted in their seats uncomfortably as they heard his taunting words. They had all been there when Daven had threatened and dismissed Nate.
Mason glanced at at Daven, wondering why he had stooped so low to be used and now, the students' council's integrity was being questioned.
"Relax, Nate…" He spoke, before Daven would be insulted further.
"We called for this meeting to clarify a few issues."
"I'm listening…" Nate sat comfortably in his seat.
"I received an intel yesterday…" Mason began even though he knew very well the intel was from Nate himself. "I hurriedly investigated, even though I wasn't supposed to be back in the office for the next week."
"Is that so?" Nate raised a brow as he realized Daven had indeed planned this well with Rick.
They planned to finish their wicked actions before Mason got back.
"As the leader, I couldn't sit back and let injustice happen. I interrogated my subordinate and found out the truth…"
"What truth?" Nate was even more intrigued, wondering if Mason was going to protect Daven in the end. But no matter what, he wouldn't let that happen.
"The financial records, the authorities demand and the school's unrest are all a result of our inadequacy…"
"Your hall of fame will be restored and we will release a broadcast, admitting my mistake…" Mason admitted outrightly and Nate was a bit impressed.
However, he wanted more.
"You didn't make a mistake, Mason…" Nate said as he glanced at Daven again. "He did…"
"He said those words to me and dismissed me without your knowledge. So, you can't take the blame…"
Daven immediately shifted on his feet, as he glared at Nate but he dared not speak a word. He had to let Mason handle it, else he would lose his position.
"I want to know why he did it…" Nate declared and then his eyes roamed across the room. "Every single person here knows why he did it, isn't that so?"
"You all were present. I don't need your apology, I need the truth."
Again, they shifted in their seats uncomfortably as they stared at Mason for answers.
"Nate, let's not make this any more complicated—"
"It has already been complicated by him…" He pointed at Daven. "Your integrity has been compromised. Shouldn't you say the truth now?"
"Are you going to be silenced, Mason? If you let this go, it's going to happen again and again!"
Nate's words hit deep in Mason's mind. He looked around, knowing everyone knew the unspoken truth. He was even suspicious that Nate knew the truth but he couldn't confirm it.
But one last attempt to settle amicably, he asked, "What will you do with the truth, Nate? Isn't it better—"
"Is the truth dangerous?" Nate cut in. "Is the truth bigger than the council?"
"Of course not…" Mason shook his head with a wry smile, knowing Nate wasn't about to back down.
"If you admit your mistake and put me in the hall of fame, everyone will want to know why you made that silly mistake. Are you ready to take the fall?"
"I will personally see to the fall. I am sure the students would want to know what I think…"
Nate's words were subtle threats that were slowly turning into a knife aimed at Mason's throat.
He had no choice but to turn toward Daven, with a blank face, "Tell us why you did it."
"We want the truth."