For several seconds, Elena couldn't speak.
Then she whispered, “Thank you.”
The meeting began.
A university lawyer attended alongside a research compliance officer and two representatives of the independent review process.
They examined the contractual basis for access to the project materials.
The records showed that the sponsor group had supplied documents through an authorized data room established for due diligence.
Professor Ibarra's research team had received access through that process.
Elena's role as a graduate research assistant was documented.
Her access was limited to the assignments she was authorized to complete.
And the memorandum she'd submitted before the restaurant shift had been prepared within those boundaries.
The review team also examined what Elena said during the dinner.
Her recorded notes indicated that she discussed broad concepts such as binding contracts, projected demand, tariffs, and allocation of commercial risks.
She hadn't identified the sponsors' confidential revenue figures in front of the restaurant guests.
Nor had she disclosed private contractual terms.
A university lawyer looked toward her.
“Miss Marković, did you understand that Mr. Delcourt was discussing the expansion you were helping assess?”
Elena nodded.
“I recognized the general subject and the names of some guests.”
“Why didn't you leave the table?”
“I was assigned to serve it. I didn't initiate the economic discussion.”
The lawyer nodded.
“And when the conversation became technical?”
“I answered general questions. When I was asked about my research work, I declined to discuss confidential assignments.”
For several seconds, the room was quiet.
Then the compliance officer turned toward Professor Ibarra.
“Based on the information available, we haven't identified a disclosure of protected project data in her account.”
Camila nodded.
“That's consistent with my assessment.”
Elena felt her shoulders relax slightly.
But the lawyer remained cautious.
“We should preserve the evidence and respond through the appropriate channels. We shouldn't assume the sponsor group will withdraw its assertions simply because the initial allegations appear unsupported.”
Elena nodded.
She understood.
The legal threat wasn't over.
But it was no longer an enormous, undefined danger.
It was a claim that could be examined.
And claims required evidence.
After the meeting, Camila took Elena to her office.
A stack of papers rested beside the window.
The professor closed the door.
Then looked toward her.
“There's something else we need to discuss.”
Elena's stomach tightened again.
“What?”
Camila sat.
“The independent assessors have identified an inconsistency that goes beyond the way demand is described in the presentation.”