Page 673 of Filthy Elites

“Son, a man is judged by who he associates with and how his actions affect others. You have failed at both. First, you haven’t made the right choices in your companions. Second, inaction and complacency are just as bad as committing the crime. You may not have performed the deeds, but you did nothing to stop those who did. If it were up to me, you wouldn’t be staying at this university.”

McGregor shook his head. “I know this is your last year of college and your tuition has already been paid for the year, but I do not agree with the University Trustees’ decision to allow you to complete your degree. A man doesn’t learn without harsh consequences. You need to be not only suspended from the rowing team but removed from it completely.”

Adrian was finding it more difficult to stay still and not lash out. He expected this from the horrible old man, but hearing the venomous words spat at him cut him deeply.

He watched the others on the dais. Everyone looked uncomfortable after McGregor’s little speech. Adrian hoped it would not affect the next votes.

“Maggie, you’re up.” Dr. Osborne loosened his tie and rubbed his forehead.

Adrian didn’t know much about the woman who was about to vote, but he knew she worked in the athletic department. Maggie Spruce dressed the part even at his hearing, opting for workout clothes and sneakers instead of business attire. She was in her thirties but seemed to act a little younger. He thought she might be some sort of trainer, but he wasn’t sure. Maybe their shared love for sports would help her side with him.

Maggie shifted in her seat and took a deep breath. “There is no evidence that Mr. Colton participated in anything other than hanging out with other members of his rowing team. We must remember that Mr. Colton lives in the team house, so it is natural that he would be friends with the others who lived with him. I understand that it has been a seriously long time since some of the members of the disciplinary council have been to college, so I must remind you that these students are barely adults. They tend to stay in small circles of friends, usually within their sports, activities, and living arrangements.”

She turned narrowed eyes at McGregor. “I agree with Harold. Mr. Colton deserves another chance.”

Adrian tried not to smile, but he felt the corner of his mouth raise. Maggie Spruce was someone he could respect, and he was going to make it a point to thank her even if he lost his place on the team.

The lone student on the council was the last to provide her decision. She still wouldn’t look at Adrian, even though he was focusing on her. He watched her jaw clench, and his heart sank. She was going to vote against him. Why? Why would she do that? Students should stick together, but he didn’t think she understood that simple concept.

Dr. Osborne stood up and walked in front of the curved desk. He clasped his hands behind his back and turned to face the side, so he could see the council members and Adrian at the same time. “We have one final vote from our student government representative, Kelsey James.”

Kelsey turned her gaze to Dr. Osborne and shifted higher in her seat. “The entire rowing team should be disbanded, but I know that won’t happen. The least we can do is to cut out the worst of them. I vote for suspension.”

The worst of them? Was she fuckin’ kidding? Adrian’s anger grew, but he forced himself to appear unfazed. He knew he was failing miserably when Maggie’s expression turned sad, and he could see pity in her eyes. That sucked. He didn’t want anyone to pity him.

Dr. Osborne paced in front of the council. “It seems we are tied with three votes for and three against suspension. In the event of a tie, it is up to me to render the final verdict.”

He turned to face Adrian. “We’ve heard some valid arguments on both sides that I find myself agreeing with. You are in this hearing because you have made some poor choices, but you also were not an active participant in any wrongdoing. It is my decision that you will serve a one-month suspension from the rowing team and perform two hundred hours of community service. You will also be placed on probation here at Blackstone University for the duration of your sentence. If you mess up even the slightest little bit, you will find yourself expelled.”

Suspended. The word reverberated throughout the large meeting room. Adrian couldn’t stand there anymore. He needed to leave before he did something that would definitely get him kicked out of school.

Dr. Osborne paused to stare at Adrian. “Have I made myself clear?” He waited for Adrian’s curt nod. “Do you have any questions?”

Adrian bit out, “No.”

“Good. This council is now complete. Please report to my office first thing in the morning and we’ll go over the details.”

Adrian nodded again, turned on his heel, and strode out of the room. He needed to escape before he lost his composure.

He shoved his way through the heavy double doors and into the hallway, not knowing where to go. He had just lost the only thing left that had mattered to him. The men’s bathroom was across the hallway and provided him with a temporary destination to get himself under control.

His heart beat wildly in his chest, and his throat began to tighten. He made sure no one else was in the room before slamming his hands down on the sink and dropping his head. “Fuck!”

Taking several deep breaths, he glanced up into the mirror above the sink. All he could see was a screw up. A guy whose life was a disaster and no clear way to fix that.

Adrian turned on the faucets and splashed water onto his face. He needed to come up with a plan but all he could focus on was the fact that they ruled against him. They didn’t give him the benefit of the doubt. Most of them went into the hearing already condemning him.

The one that pissed him off the most was Kelsey. She could have prevented him from being suspended from his team, but she didn’t. She was the final vote.

He stormed out of the lavatory and into the hallway, stopping short when he came face to face with the girl who helped ruin his life. “You!”

TWO

Ruined Desire

Kelsey tooka couple of steps backward before catching herself and stopping. She was not going to back away from a bully.

“Were you waiting for me? What do you want? To rub it in? To Gloat? Didn’t have enough satisfaction ruining my life?”

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