Chapter 12 - Nobody Gets to Be a Hero for Free
Jada wanted to call Claire immediately. Priya stopped her.
"Don't confront a witness before we preserve the records. A lie can be tested. A shouting match usually can't."
Jada had learned that lesson beside the cake.
The foundation's conduct panel met with her that afternoon. It was composed of people who had not attended the gala. Jada watched both videos without defending herself.
"I restrained Claire after the shove," she said. "Then I used cake to humiliate her. I could have stepped away. I didn't."
The panel imposed a written reprimand, a short leadership suspension, and conflict-management training before she could resume directing public events. The panel also referred Claire's shove for an independent review.
Jada signed the findings. Being right about the award list had not made her retaliation right.
On the drive home, Eleanor's health took a frightening turn. She struggled to catch her breath and gripped the seat belt with both hands. Jada pulled into an urgent-care entrance. Doctors determined that stress and dehydration had worsened a heart condition; Eleanor needed rest, monitoring, and fewer emergencies.
"Tell the board I can't be at every fight," Eleanor whispered.
"You don't have to be."
"Neither do you, all the time."
That evening Jada met the displaced artists by video. She told them about the injunction but admitted the program's funding was not secure.
Salma looked exhausted. "I've already moved out of my apartment. Where do I go if the barns don't open?"
Jada had no answer. The residency's first day was ten days away.
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Then Jada received a message from an unfamiliar email address: I'm the bookkeeper. I can show you where the residency money went. But I need protection first.
