CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY FIVE – BEFORE THE SENATE

The disciplinary review was held in the college's stately auditorium, its usually warm oak tones rendered cold and severe under the harsh bank of klieg lights. Jasmine sat alone at a long table, feeling like an insect pinned to a board as she faced the impassive panel of administrators and trustees. Dean Lambert presided over the proceedings, his expression grave. "This emergency disciplinary session has been convened to evaluate serious allegations of misconduct against Professor Jasmine Delacroix of the Art Department." His gaze swept across the assembled body with no small amount of weariness. "I don't need to belabor the severity of what's been alleged here. Inappropriate faculty-student relations, abuse of power, actions unbefitting of an instructor at this institution..." He let the accusations hang in the air like a cold fog. "However," Lambert continued heavily, "we would be remiss if we did not also acknowledge the...unorthodox circumstances under which these charges have