2025-10-21 22:10:29
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Chapter 43
Chapter 43Lucas should have realized that exonerating himself in court would not silence the rumors. The university had brushed off the accusations, had issued their press release of "regrettable errors" and "issues of security," but the court of public opinion played by other rules. Rules that were unrelated to facts or official dismissal and all about the kind of psychology that plays havoc during mobs.He discovered how much different those regulations were three days later, when Dominic sent him a link with the message: You need to see this. It's bad.Lucas opened the link on his laptop and his stomach lurched. It was an Instagram account @JohnsonTruthExposed, opened two days prior but already with over three thousand followers. The bio read:Exposing the REAL Lucas Johnson - Elite Fraud, Academic Cheat, Fake Humble Rich Boy.The posts were vicious.The most recent featured a photo of Lucas from the Elite Summit—him sitting in his designer attire.This is a privilege. As you're s
Chapter 42
Chapter 42The disciplinary hearing was scheduled for 10 AM in the very conference room where Lucas had presented his case three weeks earlier for the plagiarism charge. Walking into the wood-paneled room was not the same this time. Lucas was no longer alone this time, was not pacing with papers he had collected on his own. Estelle stood beside him, carrying a slim leather portfolio, erect with a quiet confidence that was almost majestic.The members of the board were already seated—Dean Morrison had recused himself because of the intricacies of the previous case, and Vice Dean Patricia Sullivan was sitting in his stead. Dr. Wells was present again too, and three other staff members that Lucas was familiar with but had never had direct dealings with. They all looked up when Lucas and Estelle entered, and Lucas saw something dart across their faces when they saw Estelle with him.Acknowledgment. And a warning that was unfortunately familiar."Ms. Johnson," Vice Dean Sullivan said, her
Chapter 41
Chapter 41Lucas sat at the library table looking at the defence plan for the morning hearing when he heard the front door creak open. Heels clicking on the marble floor ran through the villa with unmistakable authority."Lucas?" Estelle's voice sounded from the entrance hall. "We have to talk. Now.""How did you get here?" Lucas asked in a cold tobe "And how did you hear about the hearing?"Estelle put down her briefcase on the ground. "I have informants at the university. One of them told me of the new allegations hours after being made." She looked at Lucas"You don't have to be prepared to defend yourself," Estelle said firmly "I'm in charge of this. I swear."The words should have been soothing. They gave Lucas the cold shudders instead. There was something about where Estelle was standing—neither aggressive, precisely, nor reassuring. She was too still, too upright, as if she had been waiting."What do you do?" Lucas faltered. "The hearing tomorrow morning. I'm accused of falsif
Chapter 40
Chapter 40The rumor had started the same day Lucas received the disciplinary notice, spreading like wildfire through parched grass. He arrived at his economics class the following morning to find that the damage was done.Lucas walked into the lecture hall and promptly felt the shift in atmosphere. Flattering gossip that was just seconds before ceased as students became conscious of him. Eyes which had already offered blunt acknowledgment now fled haphazardly, refusing to look him in the eye. The usual chatter of students trying to find a seat and exchanging hellos continued but around Lucas was a bubble of empty space as he made his way to his usual seat.The three chairs immediately around him were also inexplicably vacant, despite the room filling to capacity and students filling less-than-ideal seats rather than sitting next to him. Lucas reassured himself it was an oversight, that he was dreaming. But when Jennifer Martinez—who'd sat next to him all semester, who'd taken his not
Chapter 39
Chapter 39Lucas was lost in thoughts concerning the recent happenings as a smirk was on his lips as he knew that it was overOr he thought soThen he received the email.He was in the café, focused on an international finance paper, when his laptop chimed for an incoming email. The sender was the Office of Academic Affairs, and the subject line made his stomach plummet: URGENT: Formal Summons - Disciplinary Board HearingLucas's fists tightened on the keyboard. No. Not again. This was not happening again.He opened the email with trembling fingers.Dear Mr. Johnson,You are hereby formally summoned to appear before the University Disciplinary Board on Thursday, May 16th at 10:00 AM in the Administrative Building, Conference Room 301.CHARGES: Academic dishonesty through falsified research results submitted in relation to your Economics 401 project entitled "Comparative Analysis of Microfinance Effectiveness in Sub-Saharan Africa."Lucas read the message three times, clenching his ch
Chapter 38
Chapter 38Two weeks later……The third-floor conference room of the administrative building was more like a courtroom than an academic hearing. The walls were clad in dark wood paneling, and a massive mahogany table dominated the room. One side of the room was taken up by the Academic Integrity Committee—Dean Morrison flanked by Dr. Wells and two other professors Lucas had met but never formally met. Lucas sat alone on the opposite side, his folders full of evidence stacked in front of him, his laptop already out and up.It was Tuesday morning, fourteen days since hell had begun, and the room was cool, with sun outside in spring. Or at least Lucas was cool, his hands trembling slightly as he set out his equipment. He'd worn his best suit—the navy one he'd worn to the Elite Summit, so far back now—a last-ditch effort at appearing confident and authoritative he didn't actually feel.Charlotte and Dominic were sitting down as his only support team. Estelle had offered to go but Lucas had
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