a low hum of parental p

nds clasped in my lap

ed from the podium, his

ght Innovators Scholarsh

caught. Th

pient is Ash

wave of warmth washe

le on my face, ready

just a

cut through

mom, was on her feet, h

en my rival for this since freshman

re Industries, just funded your new Digital Arts Center

, deserves tha

hrough the crow

n glanced towards where my father, Richa

n's eyes lit up, clearly imp

comes from such an... ordinary background. K

If she o

ts founder and CEO. My father, Richard, was just... Richard. Charming

one, fingers flyin

a spectacle with 'his'

en looked up,

gnificant claim about the D

has a transparency policy for major contributions, do

d. "Well, that's

pal. Transparency is key," I

at are you trying t

, finally nodded. "Alright, Ms. Miller has a point. Let m

his phone, putti

answered. "Hen

we have a question about the fundin

clear. "That was a very generous priva

hung in

e went slack

er?" Peterson pressed

es, his name is on a PTA donation from last fall. Five t

rippled throu

ce... she must be Richard's assistant! Someone who works under him

chard, generous? Wit

e clear and carrying in the sudden quiet.

sole owner of NovaCore Industries. My father, Richard, has