Two days after the incident, Katelyn’s parents, Lucas’s mom, and Lucy’s aunt, Mrs. Walters, sat around a conference table in the school office. The atmosphere was thick with tension, the weight of what had happened pressing down on everyone present.

"Thank you for coming to meet me," the principal began, his voice formal but tense as he looked over the gathered group.

"No problem," Eric replied curtly. "We want to get this taken care of as soon as possible."

The principal’s gaze shifted to Mrs. Walters. "Mrs. Walters, why are Lucy’s parents not here?"

Mrs. Walters sighed, already dreading the conversation. "I’m sorry, sir. They’re abroad right now for work. They asked me to handle the situation on their behalf."

"I see," the principal responded, nodding. "Well, let’s all sit down and discuss what’s going to happen."

Eric, his jaw clenched, leaned forward in his chair. "I expect you’ll punish Lucy to the fullest extent."

Mrs. Walters shifted uncomfortably in her seat. "Mr. Hart, please, I’m asking you to have some forgiveness for Lucy."

"Forgiveness?" Eric’s voice rose with anger. "Why should I? Do you understand what your niece did?"

Mrs. Walters’s voice wavered. "I know she was wrong, and I’m not saying she shouldn’t be punished. I’m only asking that you show some leniency."

Emily cut in, her voice sharp with anger. "Absolutely not! This wasn’t the first time your niece has tried to hurt our daughter."

Rachel joined in, her voice filled with controlled fury. "Your niece drugged my son and tried to take advantage of him. She bribed a hotel worker and broke into his room."

Mrs. Walters fell silent, her face pale. There was no excuse, and she knew it. Lucy had gone too far this time, and there was no defending her actions.

Eric leaned forward, his voice low and menacing. "And let’s not forget that your niece tried to stab my daughter."

The room fell into a heavy silence, Mrs. Walters unable to find the words to respond. She knew the situation was beyond saving.

The principal cleared his throat, trying to regain control of the meeting. "Alright, let’s all take a breath and speak calmly."

Eric’s voice remained icy. "I want Lucy expelled. She shouldn’t be allowed to graduate, let alone step foot in this school again."

Mrs. Walters, desperation creeping into her voice, pleaded. "Please, I beg you, let her finish school from home. At least allow her to graduate."

Emily shook her head firmly. "Absolutely not. Why should we go easy on her? She crossed the line too many times."

Rachel added, her voice steady but resolute. "We’ll also be pressing charges with the police. What Lucy did was criminal."

Mrs. Walters’s eyes widened, her voice breaking. "But... Lucy..."

The principal cut her off, his tone final. "As head of this school, I have no choice but to expel her. We take full responsibility, as this incident occurred during a school trip, and Lucy's actions cannot go unpunished."

Mrs. Walters slumped in her seat, defeated. She realized, perhaps for the first time, that Lucy had crossed the wrong family. There would be no more protecting her niece.

With a heavy heart, Mrs. Walters stood and bowed her head, her voice trembling. "Please, let me apologize on my niece’s behalf. I should have taken better care of her, and I am deeply sorry for the harm she caused your children."

Eric remained unmoved. "We’ll be contacting Lucy’s parents after we’re done at the police station. We understand this is difficult for you, Mrs. Walters, but Lucy brought this upon herself."

"I understand," Mrs. Walters whispered, her voice barely audible. "I’m sorry once again."

The room remained heavy with tension as the weight of Lucy’s actions sank in. There would be no more leniency, no more second chances. The consequences were clear, and Lucy would finally face the reckoning she deserved.