Abby is confronted by Mr. Lynch after a physical altercation, and he demands she apologize to Maya and Rio, write a self-criticism statement, and submit it to him. Abby refuses, insisting she did nothing wrong, but Mr. Lynch threatens her scholarship and graduation, citing her family's financial struggles and shabby clothes as reasons to revoke her support. He warns that without her diploma, her internship and future prospects are at risk, forcing her to consider returning to the countryside to make a living. Abby faces intense pressure as the threat to her academic and career future looms unresolved.