As soon as Jacob sent the voice message, Mr. Bay called.

Jacob quickly answered, asking nervously, "How are things over there, Mr. Bay?"

"How, you ask…?" Mr. Bay sighed in exasperation. "The entire Calligraphy and Painting Association was demanding your dismissal as soon as Zachary Evans posted his statement, thinking that you have no business being the administrative vice president let alone have a place in the association.

"Even those officials came asking me questions, and you know how they are—gossipers, every last one of them, always finding out about the juicy stuff instantly even if it's really no big deal. The only excuse I have to stop them is that we don't have the facts, but this issue still needs to be taken care of.

"So, be straight with me. Were you a part of this? If you don't, do you have any definitive evidence that can refute Zachary's claims?"

"I… Uh…" Jacob stammered, unable to answer.

He certainly wanted to say no, but he had no evidence to back himself up.