Chapter 1
I was judging grad defenses when my bestie sent me a screenshot of Ryan Mitchell’s Instagram story.
[So proud of my girl crushing her master’s defense today! (heart meme)]]
The photo showed a young woman in a master’s gown, clutching her thesis.
Now, that same girl was at the podium. About to present her defense.
But here’s the kicker–her thesis topic was MY abandoned research.
I glanced toward the back. There he was. My boyfriend, gazing at her like she was a goddess.[]
Oh, hell no.
I stood up and walked over to him. Flashed my sweetest smile.
“Well, well. Look who showed up.”
“So tell me, babe–how exactly did MY discarded research tople end up in HER pretty little hands?”
-0
I walked down from the committee panel and stared at Ryan’s face, which had gone ghost white.
“So Ryan, her research sound familiar at all?”
Violet, just hear me of
out
He was straight–up panicking.
Tried to reach for my arm like that was gonna fix anything.
I stepped back. “Nope.”
“Go ahead then. Explain how my old project became her groundbreaking research.“]
The girl at the podium–Madison whatever–looked like a deer in headlights.
The other professors were giving each other major side–eye.
Dean Harrison got up, obviously trying to smooth things over.
“Dr. Sterling Mr. Mitchell’s foundation just funded our new student center and tech upgrades. We’ve got multiple partnerships in the works. You two know each other?”
He looked between me and Ryan, who looked like he about to pass out.[]
Seeing him trying to figure out what was going on, I flashed Dean Harrison my brightest smule.
“Oh, we’re dating. Ryan’s VP at Sterling Industries.”
Ryan started word vomiting. “I just heard one of our summer interns was presenting today. Was in the neighborhood after a client. lunch, figured I’d drop by.”
Yeah, right.
“Wow, Ryan. You’re like, employee of the month material. Wanna explain why her data is match my database files word for word?”
Dude was literally sweating bullets.[]
“Vi, it’s not like that! Okay, so maybe I helped Madison out at the office. She was drowning, and I felt bad.”
“I might’ve mentioned your old topic could work for her thesis. But I didn’t hand over your research! She did her own work!“]
“Ryan…
Madison had bailed on her presentation and was now standing behind him.
Her eyes went all red and watery. Voice shaking like a scared rabbit
“Dr. Sterling, you’re wrong! I wrote every word myself. Pulled countless all–nighters… Maybe I’m not brilliant, but I worked so hard! Just because Ryan helped doesn’t mean you can accuse me…. 1
Perfect tears rolled down her cheeks. She looked at Ryan all wounded, then shot me this scared glance,
“What would I gain from lying?“]
I watched her whole act.
Ryan suddenly found his spine. Straightened up, getting pissed.
“Violer! Enough! Madison’s just trying to graduate. You know how hard she’s had it? Can’t you be the bigger person? Why humiliate her in front of everyone? This isn’t you!”
“Well, I was blind before. You know what they say your worst enemy’s already inside the house.”
I cut him off cold. Didn’t even look at the happy couple. Turned straight to Dean Harrison.
“Dean, Madison’s thesis has serious academic integrity issues. I’m requesting we suspend her defense and launch a formal investigation.”
Didn’t wait for an answer, I just walked out
Behind me, Madison’s sobs echoed through the room. Ryan’s voice, all hushed and comforting:
“Hey, it’s okay. Don’t worry. I’ve got you…
