"Exactly, that's how it should be. This entire mess is between Emily Blair and Isabella Austin—it has nothing to do with us. I support the suggestion that Emily should apologize publicly, but I don't agree with our PR team drafting her apology statement. We weren't involved from the start, and we shouldn't get involved now. Just let Emily and Isabella handle it themselves. It's not our problem, so let's keep our hands clean. If anything else goes wrong later, we'll be the ones left holding the bag."

Everyone murmured their agreement.

"All right, if we're all on the same page, someone reach out to Emily Blair and have her issue a public apology-"

"I disagree."

Emily's head snapped up, her eyes flickering with surprise.

It was Arianna George's voice.

Arianna spoke up, her tone steady. "It doesn't matter what Isabella Austin said or what her intentions were. None of that changes the fact that she plagiarized Vivian Martin's piano piece. Emily Blair had every right to expose Isabella's plagiarism in public—that was not a mistake. Emily did nothing wrong, and she owes Isabella no apology.

"As for Isabella giving up the championship trophy, that's only fair. The Starlight Piano Competition has always valued originality and has zero tolerance for plagiarism. Even if Isabella's final performance was original, the fact remains that she did plagiarize. In my opinion, she should not be awarded the champion's trophy.

Arianna's words rang with conviction. "The only one at fault here is Isabella Austin. We're blameless, and especially Emily-she was just a courageous young woman standing up for her teacher and the truth. She shouldn't have to apologize, and frankly, I don't ever want to see her do so. If she's forced to apologize, that would be truly absurd—a victory for those who wish to see her crushed."

A surge of emotion swept through Emily. She'd had no idea-no idea that Ms. George would stand by her this firmly, even in the face of such a crisis.

After Arianna finished, the room fell into a heavy, lingering silence.

Mr. Adams finally spoke, his voice low and measured. "Ms. George, I respect you, which is why, until now, I've been willing to give you time to handle this matter. Out of respect for you, I've held off on pursuing any responsibility on Emily's part.

"But look at where we are now-the situation has spiraled out of control. Isabella's side has taken over the online narrative; leaders, staff, and the public are all watching. If we don't give a reasonable explanation, there's no way this ends well. Emily has to apologize there's simply no other way.

"So please, Ms. George, I'm begging you. Don't stand in our way anymore. I know how much you care about Emily, but please, think of all of us. We're just employees we have no other options left except for Emily to apologize."

Emily lowered her gaze, her hands hanging at her sides, slowly curling into fists. Arianna fell silent for a long moment. Then, unexpectedly, she laughed.

Emily looked up, her eyes searching for the figure seated at the front of the room. That unmistakable posture could only belong to Arianna George.

Throughout it all, Arianna never wavered; her back remained straight, her head held high.