“We’re not done, Miller. I’ll get that
professorship yet,” David hissed.
I clutched the hair in my hand. “Your good days are over, David.”
I sent the hair to a lab for DNA analysis.
Expedited results came back in three days.
Ashley was David and Sarah’s daughter.
David was married to the daughter of a high-
ranking education official. He’d climbed the
ladder using his wife’s connections. A
twenty–year affair, a secret child… his wife, a
<
notoriously jealous woman, would destroy
him.
I came home that evening to find the door
open. Sarah and Ashley were lounging on the
couch.
Sarah smirked. “Rough few days, huh? Two
choices, John. Divorce. Give me a million
dollars, the house, and drop the lawsuit. Or I’ll
ruin you, make sure you can’t show your face
in this city again.”
I laughed. “You’re delusional.”
“We’re the victims now, John. This has gone
far enough. Let’s just end it,” she said, arms
crossed.
I looked at Ashley. “You risked your
<
reputation for this? For her? Have you
thought about your future? This is all over the
internet. What kind of life will you have now?”
Ashley looked at Sarah, then at me,
uncertainty flickering in her eyes.
“Snap out of it!” Sarah slapped Ashley hard.
“I’m your mother! Don’t you dare side with
him! I didn’t bring you into this world to
seduce men! You’re here to make me
money!”
Ashley cowered, clearly used to such
treatment.
“Three days, John. Give me the inheritance,
or I’ll destroy you.” Sarah dragged Ashley out
of the house.
Г
I checked the security cameras. Disabled.
I tightened my grip on my phone, the
recording app open. I’d anticipated this.
The university held a symposium. Both David
and I were scheduled to present. It was the
president’s final test. David was to unveil his
latest research.
I arrived early. “Professor Miller, gracing us
with your presence. Aren’t you afraid of
further tarnishing our reputation?” David
sneered, bumping into me as he passed.
“Not as much as you should be,” I replied.
He glared. “You won’t be laughing for long.
The university is suspending you after today.
All your accomplishments mean nothing ne
<
All your accomplishments mean nothing now.
You’ll be remembered as a pervert.”
99
I patted his shoulder. “Let’s see if you’re still
so smug later.”
The symposium began. Speeches by the
president and other officials, then David’s
presentation.
As David took the stage, he spotted Sarah
and Ashley in the back row, his wife sitting
directly in front of them. He plastered on a
smile and began.
na
