Lyra stood frozen in Professor Avery's office, her mind struggling to process what she'd just heard. Orla had somehow claimed a connection to Dr. Payne—to her own secret identity.
"You heard me," Orla repeated with a smug smile, mistaking Lyra's shock for jealousy. "Dr. Payne has personally selected me to join his research team."
Professor Avery's eyebrows rose in genuine surprise. "Dr. Payne? The renewable energy pioneer? That's quite impressive, Miss Moreau. He's notoriously reclusive."
"Well, he owes my mother a favor," Orla said, tossing her perfectly styled hair over her shoulder. "Don't you, Mother?"
Colette's lips curled into a self-satisfied smile. "Let's just say I helped him once when no one else would. He hasn't forgotten his debt."
Lyra fought to keep her expression neutral. The irony was almost too much to bear. Dr. Payne was the identity she had created years ago to publish her groundbreaking research while maintaining her privacy. And the only "debt" she had ever acknowledged was to Mrs. Moreau—Orla's mother and Colette's rival—who had shown her kindness when no one else would.
"Is that so?" Lyra managed to say, her voice steady despite her racing heart.
Professor Avery turned to Lyra with genuine concern in his eyes. "This could actually benefit you, Lyra. Perhaps if Dr. Payne is coming to the university, he might consider taking on another promising student. Your work in clean energy has been exceptional."
Colette let out a harsh laugh. "Her? Working with Dr. Payne? Don't be absurd. She barely passed her science classes."
"Actually," Professor Avery countered, "Lyra has maintained a perfect GPA in all her advanced science courses."
"Only because the professors took pity on her," Orla snapped, her perfect facade cracking slightly. "Everyone knows I'm the real scientific mind in the family."
Lyra bit the inside of her cheek to keep from laughing. If they only knew that the renowned Dr. Payne they were fighting over was standing right in front of them.
"I'm sure Dr. Payne will make his own judgments about talent," Lyra said carefully.
Orla's eyes narrowed dangerously. "What's that supposed to mean? Are you suggesting he might choose you over me?"
"I'm not suggesting anything," Lyra replied calmly. "I'm simply stating that true scientific talent speaks for itself."
"You little—" Orla started, but Colette cut her off with a sharp gesture.
"We're getting off track," Colette said coldly. "We came here to discuss Lyra's inappropriate behavior regarding the Covington family, not her non-existent scientific abilities."
Professor Avery frowned. "What exactly has Lyra done that's inappropriate?"
Before Lyra could defend herself, Orla jumped in eagerly. "She's been trying to seduce Percival Covington, even though he's married."
"What?" Lyra exclaimed, genuinely shocked. "That's a complete lie!"
"Is it?" Orla challenged. "Then why did his grandmother claim you were his wife? You must have said something to confuse the poor old woman."
"I told you, she was already confused when I found her," Lyra insisted.
Colette stepped closer, her perfume overwhelming in the small office. "Stop lying! We know you've been stalking Percival Covington ever since Jasper chose Orla over you. You're pathetic, trying to steal your sister's fiancé's uncle just for revenge."
The accusation was so absurd that Lyra couldn't even form a response. She had never pursued Percival Covington. In fact, until yesterday, she'd never even spoken to him.
"Mrs. Blackwood," Professor Avery interjected, using Colette's maiden name rather than Moreau, "these are serious accusations. Do you have any proof?"
"We have the testimony of Old Mrs. Covington herself," Colette replied. "She told everyone that Lyra claimed to be married to her grandson."
"I never claimed any such thing," Lyra said firmly. "She assumed I was his wife before I even knew who she was."
"Liar!" Colette hissed, her hand moving so quickly that Lyra didn't see the slap coming until pain exploded across her cheek.
The sound cracked through the office like a gunshot. Professor Avery stood up in alarm, but before he could intervene, something inside Lyra snapped.
Years of abuse, of swallowing her pride, of letting Colette and Orla walk all over her—it all culminated in this moment. The invisible chains that had bound her for so long suddenly broke free.
With calculated precision, Lyra turned to Orla and slapped her twice—once on each cheek. The sound was sharp and final.
Orla gasped, her hand flying to her reddening face. "How dare you!"
The office fell into stunned silence. Even Colette seemed frozen in shock, her hand still raised from her own slap.
"Listen carefully," Lyra said, her voice low and dangerous. "I have endured your abuse for years to protect Mrs. Moreau. But those days are over."
She turned to Colette, looking directly into the older woman's eyes. "Touch me again, and I will make sure Orla feels it twice as hard. Every bruise you give me, every insult—she will pay for it. Do you understand?"
Colette's face contorted with rage. "You ungrateful little—"
"I understand perfectly," Lyra interrupted. "You value Orla above all else. So now she's my insurance policy against your cruelty." She turned back to Orla, whose shock had morphed into fury. "You should thank me. At least now your mother has a reason not to hurt me besides basic human decency."
Professor Avery cleared his throat, clearly uncomfortable with the family drama unfolding in his office. "Ladies, perhaps we should all take some time to cool down—"
"There's no need," Lyra said calmly. "I'm leaving. But my recommendation stays, and so does my enrollment." She looked at the professor. "Thank you for your support, Professor Avery. I look forward to continuing my studies here."
She turned to leave, then paused at the door. "And Orla? I look forward to seeing what Dr. Payne thinks of your scientific aptitude. I have a feeling you'll be surprised by his assessment."
With that, she walked out, closing the door firmly behind her. Her cheek stung from Colette's slap, but her heart felt lighter than it had in years.
For the first time in her life, she had fought back. And it felt glorious.
As she walked out of the university building, her phone rang. The display showed Dorian Cross's name.
"Boss," he said as soon as she answered, his voice excited. "I figured it out! I know why Percival Covington claimed to be married but doesn't know who you are!"
Lyra stopped in her tracks, her heartbeat suddenly loud in her ears. "Tell me."