Chapter 13 - The Ripple Effect
While Emma settled into her new classroom, the legal shockwaves of the St. Jude’s scandal continued to rattle the private education sector across the state.
Arthur Sterling dropped by my office later that week with a fresh legal update.
“The board of trustees at St. Jude’s has officially dissolved,” Arthur announced, setting a leather folder on my desk. “Principal Vance and Mrs. Gable are looking at a joint federal indictment with zero chance of plea bargains. The state education board is launching comprehensive audits into private academies statewide to root out similar systemic abuses.”
I leaned back in my chair, looking out the window at the autumn leaves falling across the lawn.
“Good,” I said evenly. “Protecting children isn't a privilege reserved for those who can afford high tuition. It’s a fundamental obligation.”
“Indeed,” Arthur agreed. “Word of your involvement leaked to a few defense journalists, by the way. They’re calling you the ‘Ghost General’—the commander who dismantled a corrupt private school in forty-eight hours flat.”
I let out a dry, humorless chuckle. “I’m not a ghost, Arthur. I’m just a father who crossed paths with the wrong people.”
“Well, your anonymity in the civilian sector is pretty much blown, General. People know who you are now.”
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“Let them know,” I replied calmly. “If it makes other negligent administrators think twice before harming a child, then transparency is a small price to pay.”
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