How does Bernard discredit the DHC and avoid punishment?

• A. He brings Linda, who is older and unattractive, to reveal John's origins
• B. He accuses DHC of bias
• C. He bribes the DHC
• D. He escapes to Iceland

Answer: (A)

In this world, power rests on maintaining a flawless public image and using secrecy to suppress personal realities. Bernard undermines the DHC by exposing a hidden personal truth: the DHC once had a relationship with Linda and fathered John. By bringing Linda back to London—she is old and unattractive by the world’s standards—and revealing John’s origins, Bernard shatters the DHC’s image of impeccable control over reproduction and his moral authority. The public revelation shows the DHC as fallible and hypocritical, which erodes his position and forces a resignation, while Bernard avoids punishment because the scandal shifts the accountability onto the DHC rather than onto him. The other options don’t fit the plot: bribery isn’t involved, simply accusing bias doesn’t cause the same public collapse, and Bernard does not escape to Iceland as his primary tactic.