"Dr. Wilson?" I repeated, staring at Fiona in disbelief.
Her smug smile widened as she sat straighter in her chair. "Yes, the brilliant Dr. Wilson. Though I'm not surprised you haven't heard of him, considering how... limited your academic circle is."
I fought to keep my expression neutral. If only she knew that I was the very Dr. Wilson she was boasting about. I'd created that identity years ago when I needed to publish my research without drawing attention to myself. The pseudonym had given me freedom to pursue my work while staying in the shadows, exactly where Genevieve wanted me.
"And how exactly do you know Dr. Wilson?" I asked carefully.
Professor Wright leaned forward, looking impressed. "Ms. Dubois claims she can arrange for Dr. Wilson to join our research department, which would be an incredible opportunity for our university."
Fiona flipped her hair over her shoulder. "Mother helped him once when he was just starting out. He owes us a favor, and I'm calling it in." She shot me a venomous look. "Unlike some people, I actually use my connections to benefit others."
I nearly laughed at the absurdity. The identity I'd created to protect myself was now being wielded as a weapon against me.
"Actually," Professor Wright said, turning to me with unexpected kindness, "I was thinking Dr. Wilson might be interested in your research as well, Elara. Your work shows promise, despite what your family believes."
Genevieve's face hardened. "That won't be necessary. Elara won't be continuing her studies here or anywhere else."
"Mother's right," Fiona added sweetly. "Besides, Elara needs to focus on more... realistic goals. Like that secretary position in Argentina."
I clenched my fists under the table. "I'm not going to Argentina."
Genevieve's eyes narrowed. "You will do as you're told. For once in your life."
"Actually," I said slowly, finding my courage, "I've received a job offer. Here in Oceanion."
This caught everyone's attention. Professor Wright looked surprised, while Genevieve and Fiona exchanged skeptical glances.
"You're lying," Fiona scoffed. "Who would hire you?"
I met her gaze steadily. "That's my business."
"Speaking of business," Fiona said, her voice dropping to a theatrical whisper, "I hear you've been quite busy lately. Trying to seduce married men?"
My blood ran cold. "What are you talking about?"
"Arthur Sterling," she replied triumphantly. "Don't play innocent. I saw how you were looking at him at my engagement party."
"That's ridiculous," I said. "I barely spoke to him."
Fiona turned to Professor Wright. "She chased after him last night, trying to throw herself at him. Caleb saw everything. Arthur was disgusted by her behavior."
"That's not what happened," I protested, but Fiona was already pulling out her phone.
"Here," she said, showing a photo to Professor Wright. "Look at her, hanging all over Mrs. Sterling like they're best friends. She used the poor woman to try to get close to Arthur."
Professor Wright glanced at the photo, then at me with confusion. I couldn't believe it – someone had taken a picture of me helping Mrs. Sterling.
"I found her lost and confused," I explained. "I was helping her, not using her."
"Always the saint," Genevieve sneered. "Just like with Mrs. Dubois, pretending to care when all you want is what others have."
"That's not true," I said, my voice rising despite my efforts to stay calm.
Fiona smiled viciously. "Arthur Sterling is married. Even if he wasn't, do you really think a man like him would look twice at someone like you?"
The irony was so bitter I could taste it. If only they knew.
"This discussion is pointless," I said, standing up. "I'm not withdrawing from the university, and I'm certainly not going to Argentina."
Genevieve rose to her feet, her face contorted with rage. "You ungrateful little—"
Before I could react, her hand struck my cheek with such force that my head snapped to the side. The slap echoed in the quiet office.
"Mrs. Thorne!" Professor Wright exclaimed, jumping up.
I touched my stinging cheek, stunned. Genevieve had slapped me countless times throughout my childhood, but never in public, never where others could see.
Something inside me snapped.
Without hesitation, I turned and slapped Fiona across the face – hard.
She gasped, clutching her reddening cheek. "How dare you!"
I slapped her again before she could recover.
"Elara!" Professor Wright shouted, moving to intervene.
I stepped back, my hand still raised. "That was for the years of torment. And this—" I turned to Genevieve, who looked shocked by my retaliation, "—this is for you. Touch me again, and Fiona gets twice what you give me. Understand?"
Genevieve's face paled. For the first time in my life, I saw fear in her eyes.
"You can't threaten my daughter," she said, but her voice lacked its usual venom.
"I just did." I gathered my things with shaking hands. "And for the record, I don't need your money for tuition. I've been paying my own way for years."
Professor Wright stared at me in confusion. "Ms. Dubois, I don't understand..."
"I'll explain everything later, Professor," I promised. "Thank you for believing in my research."
As I turned to leave, Fiona called out, "You'll regret this! When Arthur Sterling hears how you've behaved—"
I looked back, a cold smile forming on my lips. "Go ahead. Tell Arthur Sterling whatever you want. I'm sure he'll be very interested to hear what you have to say about his wife."
The shock on their faces was worth every second of humiliation I'd endured.
I walked out of the office with my head held high, ignoring the throbbing in my palm and the sting in my cheek. For the first time in my life, I'd fought back. The sensation was terrifying and exhilarating all at once.
Outside the building, I took a deep breath of fresh air, feeling oddly light despite everything that had just happened. My phone buzzed in my pocket, and I pulled it out to see Victor Prescott's name on the screen.
"Boss," he said the moment I answered, his voice brimming with excitement. "I figured it out! I know why Arthur Sterling claimed to be married but doesn't know who you are!"
My heart skipped a beat. "What did you find?"
"Not over the phone," he replied. "Meet me at the café near your apartment in thirty minutes. You won't believe what I discovered."
The call ended, and I stared at my phone, my mind racing. After years of hiding in the shadows, playing small to avoid conflict, everything was changing at once. My marriage, my identity as Dr. Wilson, my relationship with Genevieve and Fiona – all the carefully constructed walls of my life were crumbling around me.
But for once, I wasn't afraid of the fall.