At St. Anne’s Hospital, the vice dean had already received confirmation from William Newton that the Newton family would officially apologize and make amends. Relieved, he quickly passed the good news to Dr. Ria and several of the nurses, instructing them to be at work today—no excuses, no sick days.

He even spoke to each of them privately, urging them to be magnanimous and let the whole thing end today.

By noon, the poor man was physically and mentally exhausted.

He didn’t want to offend the powerful Newtons, but he also didn’t want to lose Professor Andrade.

As one of the mediators, it was his responsibility to help resolve the...