Chapter 11 - Victor’s StoryVictor finally sat for a full board interview.
He did not deny the recording.
He did not deny score changes.
He reframed.
“Mason has severe test anxiety.”
No diagnosis.
“He performs below ability under pressure.”
Sometimes true.
“I believed the testing system was failing him.”
Then:
“Evelyn agreed.”
Evelyn’s counsel objected in writing.
She had agreed under pressure, not independently.
Victor continued.
“The institution rewards numbers.”
Malcolm asked:
“Does that justify changing them?”
Victor looked angry.
“You sit on a board that ties executive compensation to placements.”
“Does that justify changing them?”
Silence.
Victor said:
“I corrected unfair outcomes.”
There.
His core belief.
He knew where Mason belonged.
Therefore data that contradicted him was wrong.
Logan had faced the same logic.
Victor knew what Logan should do.
Therefore refusal was wrong.
Anna challenged him.
Therefore she did not understand.
Evelyn hesitated.
Therefore she lacked courage.
Every disagreement became evidence of someone else’s failure.
That worldview was the true antagonist engine.
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Money and career intensified it.
They did not invent it.
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