Her fingers moved quickly across the screen, uploading the footage that showed Grayson's group surrounding Aaliyah first. The original video was clear about who initiated the confrontation. Marcus opened his laptop and began typing. I'm pulling your entire competition history, Aaliyah. every tournament result, every disciplinary report. Five years of perfect conduct records.
Will that matter? Aaliyah asked, still writing in her notebook. Dr. Hris acted like my training made me automatically guilty. It proves you've been competing under strict rules for years without a single violation, Marcus replied. Martial arts tournaments have zero tolerance for excessive force or poor sportsmanship.
Your record shows restraint, not aggression. Nia looked up from her phone. The edited video online has over 200 shares already. People are arguing about it, but they're only seeing half the story. Aaliyah finished her timeline and slid the notebook toward Marcus. every detail I can remember.
From when Grayson first blocked my path to when security arrived. Marcus read through her account carefully. This is good. Clear sequence of events. No emotional language, just facts.
He saved his own files and closed the laptop. Now we request that security footage officially in writing. Aaliyah pulled out a fresh sheet of paper and began drafting the formal request. The camera above the brick building entrance had to have captured everything. Her pen moved steadily as she wrote the exact location, date, and time frame.
There, she said, signing the bottom. I'll submit this first thing tomorrow morning. The study room door opened suddenly, making all three of them look up, but it was just another student entering the library area, and they returned to their work. They're going to keep pressuring witnesses, Marcus warned. Students who saw what really happened might get scared when they realized how much money and influence is behind this.
Nia shook her head defiantly. Let them try. I recorded everything I saw. And I'm not changing my story for anyone. Footsteps echoed in the hallway outside, growing louder.
Multiple sets of footsteps moving deliberately rather than casually. Aaliyah tensed as the sound stopped directly outside their study room. Through the glass window in the door, Grayson's face appeared. Brett, Cody, and Tessa stood behind him in the hallway. They stayed several steps back from the entrance, technically not entering the room, but their presence was unmistakably threatening.
Marcus immediately grabbed his phone and began recording. "No contact violation," he muttered, capturing Grayson's face clearly through the glass. Grayson smiled coldly and spoke loudly enough for his voice to carry through the door. Nobody's going to believe a scholarship student over four respected students and a major donor family. You can write all the reports you want, Brooks.
You're still going to lose your scholarship and get expelled. Brett shifted uncomfortably behind him, his face pale and uncertain. Cody crossed his arms and tried to look threatening, but his earlier humiliation still showed in his posture. Tessa stood with perfect composure, as if this intimidation was beneath her dignity. Brett, Grayson continued without turning around.