I am 15 chapters ahead on my patreón, check it out if you are interested.
https://www.patréon.com/emperordragon
_________________________________________
Chapter 37: Damage Control
Alex Dunphy prided herself on many things — her intelligence, her observational skills, her ability to keep her family from imploding every other week — but today, something gnawed at her sharper than any math problem or history quiz.
Suddenly Alex thought of something, her eyes narrowed. She turned to Haley. "How did the the school even find out about this?"
Haley hesitated, then pulled out her phone. "Someone recorded it. It's already all over school."
Alex's stomach twisted tighter. Haley unlocked her phone and opened the video.
Alex watched intently.
There was Jon — standing calmly at the college party near the pool. He was facing off against some guy who was at least a few inches taller than him — built like a linebacker. They seemed to be talking — maybe even negotiating — and then, without warning in the clip, Jon's fist snapped forward like a bullet.
Instant knockout.
The bigger guy dropped like a sack of bricks, crumpling to the ground before anyone else could even react.
Alex's jaw tightened.
"Haley," she said slowly, "this video makes it look like Jon just… attacked him out of nowhere."
Haley winced. "Yeah, I know."
Alex exhaled sharply through her nose. "That's bad. If this is the only part of the people have seen, it makes Jon look like some violent psycho."
Haley waved her hands defensively. "That's not what happened! Those guys were total jerks — they threw Dylan into the pool! And they wouldn't let us leave! Jon only hit that guy after he wouldn't back down."
Alex rubbed her temples. "That's why we need the whole thing. Not this chopped-up nonsense."
Alex pinched the bridge of her nose. "Please tell me this isn't the only video floating around."
Haley winced. "It's the only one I've seen."
"Which means there could be a full video showing what really happened." Alex straightened. "Haley, think — who else from our school was at that party?"
Haley bit her lip, trying to recall. Then her eyes lit up. "Greg! Greg Wallace. He was definitely there. I saw him filming other stuff too."
"Perfect," Alex said. "Let's go."
Minutes later, Alex found Terry by his locker, filling him in on the situation with clinical precision.
Terry's expression darkened. "Jon's a lot of things — but he's not some meathead who goes around starting fights."
"Exactly," Alex said. "We need to find Greg."
Haley led them to the quad where Greg was laughing with a group of friends.
Alex marched up, flanked by Terry like some modern-day enforcer.
"Greg," Alex said coolly. "We need to talk."
Greg blinked, then smirked. "About what?"
"The full video from last night," Alex said. "The one you recorded before Jon punched that guy."
Greg chuckled nervously. "I don't know what you're talking about."
Terry stepped forward, towering over him. "Greg... now's not the time to be dumb."
Greg gulped. "Okay, okay! Chill! I've got the video."
He fumbled with his phone and pulled it up.
Alex, Terry, and Haley crowded around.
And there it was — crystal clear evidence.
The video showed Dylan being shoved into the pool, Jon helping him out, the group of guys blocking their exit, and then Jon warning them, when they didn't listen then Jon delivering that devastating punch.
It painted a completely different picture — Jon hadn't been the aggressor. He'd been defending himself and his friends.
Alex exhaled in relief.
Together, the three of them power-walked through the halls toward the principal's office. Every second counted now.
Alex could already imagine the worst-case scenario — Jon getting suspended or worse, all because of a misleading video.
Not on her watch.
They rounded the final corner, approaching the office doors. Alex's heart was pounding — but her expression was cold steel.
"We've got the proof," she whispered.
Terry pushed the door open.
Haley whispered under her breath, "Please let us be in time."
And with that, they stepped inside — ready to save Jon from whatever storm was waiting for him
Jon's Perspective
The hallway outside the principal's office was quiet.
Too quiet.
Jon sat on the cold bench, elbows on his knees, hands clasped together, staring down at the floor like it owed him an explanation.
Minutes dragged like hours.
He wasn't nervous.
He wasn't scared.
He was… tired.
Tired of how predictable this situation was. He'd seen this play out in his old life — wrong place, wrong time, assumptions being accepted faster than facts.
Still, it stung.
Not because of the school.
Because of Jay and Gloria.
Jon glanced at the closed door, knowing they were probably already in there, getting blindsided by whatever version of the story the principal believed.
Finally, the door creaked open.
"You can come in now," the secretary said, avoiding his eyes like he was a criminal.
Jon stood, shoulders straight, posture perfect — like he was walking into a fight he didn't pick.
When he entered the office, his stomach dipped.
Jay and Gloria sat across from the principal — their faces carved from disappointment and confusion.
It didn't hit like a punch.
It hit like silence.
Jon sat beside them without a word.
The principal — a stiff, by-the-book man named Mr. Reynolds — folded his hands like he'd been waiting for this moment all year.
"Mr. Hale," the principal began, his voice low, rehearsed. "Do you know why you're here?"
Jon gave a single nod.
Mr. Reynolds turned to Jay and Gloria. "Mr. and Mrs. Pritchett… I'm afraid this is serious. Jon was caught on video last night at a college party — a party he clearly attended without your knowledge — and engaged in violent behavior."
He tapped his laptop.
The video played.
Jon watched the scene unfold — stripped of context, stripped of truth.
Just a brutal, clean punch.
Jay's jaw tightened.
Gloria's hand covered her mouth, eyes wide, hurt flickering beneath them.
Jon sat still.
Silent.
"Violence is something this school takes very seriously," Mr. Reynolds continued, turning back to Jay and Gloria. "Especially when it involves one of our student-athletes. Jon's actions reflect poorly on the school, the football team, and frankly… on his character."
Jon breathed slow, measured.
He didn't flinch.
Didn't defend himself.
Not yet.
Mr. Reynolds leaned back. "Now… Jon. Is there anything you'd like to say for yourself?"
Jon opened his mouth — calm, steady, about to speak.
But the universe had other plans.
The door slammed open like a hurricane tearing through the calm.
Alex stormed in, sharp-eyed and purposeful.
Terry was right behind her, built like a human shield.
Haley followed, nervous but determined.
Jay turned.
Gloria gasped.
Jon leaned back slightly in his chair — lips curling into the faintest, tired smile.