At a campus gathering around her sister's marriage, Karlie becomes the target of whispers after someone tampers with her genetic-marriage device. Jerome Scott, named as the Scotts' eldest son and Luprea's chief instructor, confronts the crowd, warns of consequences for tampering, and bans further gossip about Karlie's background and marriage. He then walks her toward the dorm, insisting he can handle things. As they leave, a bystander catches Jerome's scent and asks, "Who is that man?" — leaving Karlie's protector exposed and the rumor's fallout unresolved.