Chapter 101

Dean Arthur Ellison rose from behind his desk and gestured for them to sit.

Sebastian Valdemar and Sophia Lowell settled onto the black leather sofa.

An assistant brought two glasses of water.

Sophia took a sip, steadying her racing thoughts.

She hadn't expected Sebastian to be her mentor's son—let alone that the dean would know him personally.

"Dean Ellison, I take full responsibility for the negative impact this incident has caused the university." She set down her glass, spine straight. "I'll give the administration and everyone involved a proper explanation."

The dean raised an eyebrow. "Oh? You have a plan?"

He'd heard much about his old friend's star pupil. He just hadn't imagined their first meeting would be under such circumstances.

"Two hours." Sophia held up two fingers. "I'll resolve this completely without damaging the school's reputation."

Dean Ellison considered this. "Very well. Two hours. If you can't produce evidence, even being Theodore's student won't save you."

"Thank you, Dean." Her gaze never wavered.

She'd come here to make one thing clear—she would handle her own problems.

Outside the administration building, Sophia clenched her fists.

The Clementsons were like vengeful ghosts. First the son's attempted assault, now the mother trying to ruin her career.

Her phone vibrated.

"That witch is targeting you again?" Vivian Ashcroft's voice exploded through the speaker. "I just heard student extras gossiping about it!"

Sophia froze. "How did you—"

"Is that woman insane? Her son's already six feet under and she's still causing trouble!" Vivian sounded ready to combust. "You must've dug up her ancestors' graves in a past life!"

Sophia choked back a laugh.

"Something's off." Her tone turned serious. "Daniel's incident was ages ago."

Vivian caught on immediately. "Someone's pulling strings behind the scenes?"

"Mm." Sophia narrowed her eyes. "Very few people know where I work. For her to infiltrate the campus network and post that, she must have inside help."

A cold wind scattered dead leaves at her feet.

Sophia looked up at the leaden sky.

This battle needed to be won—decisively.