The student council member was stunned. "Sir, the list and schedule are already set. Rebecca's prepared. Changing at the last minute..."
"I said change it!" the dean interrupted impatiently.
He shoved his phone screen in front of the student council member, jabbing it hard with his finger. "Look at this! What qualifications does a student like this have to represent the school and present flowers at such an important event? This is humiliating for everyone!"
On the screen were photos of Rebecca and Gabriel, capturing the exact moment when he had reached out to fix her hair at the school gate.
The dean scrolled through more photos that captured them going to the restaurant, Gabriel putting food on her plate, them walking, and Rebecca holding his shoulder for support because she had eaten too much.
Sharp gasps erupted among the teachers and student council members nearby. They all exchanged looks of unease.
"Sir, this... might be a misunderstanding," the student council member tried.
"Misunderstanding?" the dean sneered, his voice rising sharply. "Rebecca Perry, you tell us! Who is this man in the photos? In broad daylight, you acted so intimately with an adult man.
"Where is your dignity as a student? Where are your morals? Letting a student like her present flowers is an insult to the donor and serious damage to the school's reputation."
His words were harsh and righteous, as if he held ironclad evidence that would nail Rebecca to the pillar of shame.
The student council member looked torn, but under the dean's hard stare and the heavy weight of school reputation, he could only turn helplessly to Rebecca.
She simply set down the bouquet and reassured him, "It's fine. I'll head back to class."
He grabbed her arm. "I don't believe what the dean said, not even with the photos. After the ceremony is over, I'll report this to the principal and clear things up."
"Thank you," Rebecca smiled, turning to leave. "The truth will come out."
They didn't need to wait until after the ceremony. It would be clear very soon.

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