Chapter 40

EMILIANA

When he found it, he returned to his initial position and handed me a piece of paper. It was neatly folded into a small square.

"What did you talk about? And be specific, please."

Müller remained silent for a few minutes that seemed endless to me. I hoped he was analyzing his words and not planning how to lie to me. It was already enough that the mayor had omitted certain information; he and I would have a harmonious conversation soon.

"He asked me not to add the incident to Venecia's academic record and instead invent something else to punish her. In return, he would donate a generous sum of money to the university," he explained, and in the papers, he handed me was a copy of a check for a not insignificant amount. "Please don't judge me. The mayor didn't want anything to tarnish Venecia's future career, and the money was useful to us."

"I don't judge you, Director Müller. But if you were willing to cover up this information for money, what el