Is this a policy violation or an unclear sign?

Dear GMAT Club community,

I'm not sure this is the right place to post this topic on the subforum. If not, please kindly feel free to move my post.

I took the test earlier months ago. I incidentally kept my note in my bag and put it in a locker.
During the break, I took out my note with me to review a bit on my way to the toilet which located outside the test center.
When I got back to the test center and was opening the locker to keep the note, the staff spotted me and said he had to cancel my score due to policy violation.
I DID NOT have any intention to cheat. I honestly understood from a poster in the test center that I should not read exam materials 'only inside the test center' as it stated.
so I interpretted that I can do it outside of the test center. I know it sounds stupid to literally interpret that way.

Result is Pearson cancelled my score, but the status in the score report is left blank.
Do you guys think this would be viewed as 'cheat the exam' by Adcom? if no, would appreciate what are the sound explanation I should give for this incidence?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you guys so much in advance.