The silence in the room was suffocating. Every eye fixed on Victor, standing confidently at the center of this academic battlefield. My heart pounded against my ribs as I watched the scene unfold. All those months of careful planning, of hiding my identity, had led to this moment.
"You're making absurd accusations," Fiona finally sputtered, her perfectly manicured hands trembling. "Just because you work for Dr. Wilson doesn't mean you know everything."
Victor smiled politely. "I assure you, I know quite a bit more than you're comfortable with, Miss Dubois."
"This is preposterous," my mother chimed in, voice shaking with poorly disguised panic. "My Fiona has maintained direct contact with Dr. Wilson for months. They've built a professional relationship."
I fought to keep my face neutral. The lies were so blatant it was almost comical.
Victor raised an eyebrow. "Is that so? Then perhaps you can tell me Dr. Wilson's first name? Since you're so well acquainted."
