Chapter 18

• When the director got to know what happened outside the campus gate, he then asked me to go to his office in the Admin building.
• I didn't know why, but I thought it had something to do with the Clasiso family. They were really pushing all their cards on me. But why wouldn't they show up? It would be better if they just talked to me face-to-face. Not this playing hide and seek with me!
• "Miss Briones," the director greeted. He urged me to sit down, which I did abruptly.
• "I was told to go to your office, Sir."
• "Yes." He nodded repeatedly. "I heard about the commotion earlier outside the gate. Are you alright, Miss Briones?"
• I nodded. "I'm fine. Thank you, Sir."
• "No problem." He then dismissed that topic and started a new one. "I heard that you were good friends with Mr. Anthony Clasiso."
• I secretly smirked. I knew it!
• What were they trying to do, huh?
• "We're not really that good... friends."
• He smiled at me. "I see. But your father is Mr. Alibata Briones?"
• "Yes."
• He nodded and then clasped his hands in front. "I hope you won't get too offended being called to my office, Miss Briones."
• And this is the reason the higher-ups won't cross the line with me. They knew who my father was, and they knew well what the consequences would be if they messed with me. But I wondered how Dad would react when he knew about his daughter being questioned because of his crime.
• I knew it would freak him out as he did not want any trouble associated with his name. Well, I did not plan to tell him about going to the office, but I knew that if he investigated what happened at the University, he would eventually find out. In the meantime, I didn't want any trouble, so I would keep my mouth shut. Anyway, Dad and I were not that close, so it was inconvenient for me to tell him what happened here.
• "I won't," I said. "Why did you call me over, Sir?"
• "I just want to ask about what your plans are. I let the University's guard deal with the media, but you know who caused them to come here in the first place, don't you?"
• I blinked, unable to move or speak at his remarks. What was he trying to do? I played dumb and asked him, "I don't know what you're talking about, Sir."
• He sighed. "This wasn't the first time something as terrible as this happened under my University, Miss Briones. Years ago, something as heinous as this crime happened on the University premises. The case involved the Dela Victoria and Toregoza families. You know who they are, right?"
• I gulped hard and nodded. Dela Victoria and Toregoza were among the most powerful clans in the country. The first was into the food business, while the other was into shipping lines. They were giants in their respective industries, and I didn't know they had gone into the same scenario as the Briones and Clasiso families. I shook my head in disbelief.
• "What happened with them, Sir?" I asked.
• "The Dela Victoria heiress committed suicide, jumping off the rooftop. Toregoza's heir was with her, and everyone pointed the blame at the heir. The Toregoza family did not like it, so they used all their resources to disrupt the University's peace. They did all sorts of things, including hyping up the media and sending them here to the University. It took almost two weeks before I could completely shoo the media away, and I knew they would come back until they got what they wanted from the University. The Toregoza family wanted me to admit guilt, but I wasn't the one who pushed the Dela Victoria heiress to do that. My University was just involved because she did it on our premises, but the Toregoza family blamed the University. So I had to speak up and present all the evidence, including surveillance videos from the night it happened. After that, the Toregoza heir admitted guilt and was sent to jail."
• I stared at the director as I heard the whole story. So it was clearly a misunderstanding between the University and the Toregoza family. But what he narrated was just part of the bigger picture, wasn't it? After all, I couldn't trust anyone, including myself, to handle this one.
• "What do the media want this time, Sir?" I asked, even though I had a hint.
• It was clear that the Clasiso family brought them here. They wanted me to speak up. They wanted to pressure me until I gave up trying to hold my peace. They wanted the truth, and I did not plan to give them that.
• "They want the University to give you up, Miss Briones."
• My eyes shot up when I heard him say that. I blinked a couple of times. "What?"
• He sighed. "The day Mr. Clasiso visited this office, he spoke about you. He wanted to interrogate you on the University's premises. But I declined, saying that I should protect my students no matter what. He did not like what I said. That conversation went on for weeks before he gave up trying and eventually hyped up the media and let them flock here."
• Interrogate me on the University's premises?
• "Why inside the University? He could have snatched me outside and interrogated me however he liked."
• The director cleared his throat. "You should ask your father about this."
• My father? I grimaced at the thought of asking him. Why would I ask him?
• "Just tell me, Sir," I said flatly.
• He sighed again and crossed his arms in front of him. "You may not know this, but I talked with your father not long ago. He wanted me to keep a close watch on you inside my University. When I asked about outside, he said he would take care of it." The director stared at me intently. "You may have noticed that no one was running after you outside, Miss Briones?"
• I nodded.
• "That's because your father is keeping a close watch on you. He entrusted your safety to me whenever you're inside this University, which is why I am protecting you from the reporters and the Clasiso family, even if it costs the University's peace." He chuckled slightly. "Well, you don't have to worry as your fellow students will not be affected by the current events. I have provided them with a free way to come and go freely without the reporters' eyes."
• I sank back in my seat at what the director had said. My father was keeping a close watch on me? No, I couldn't believe it.
• But if the Clasiso family's plan was aiming for the University, did I miscalculate everything in the first place?
• My forehead creased at the thought.