The moment he finished, thunderous applause erupted through the hall.

Vivian's cheeks flushed pink, the picture of bashful modesty. Her roommates nudged her forward, and only then did she stand and make her way to the stage.

As she passed me, she deliberately bumped my shoulder. Her eyes glittered with triumph and provocation.

I treated it like a joke. Not worth my time.

Within moments, Vivian stood beside Elmer with a microphone in hand and began her speech.

"It's a tremendous honor to share this stage of achievement with Professor Weiss. Since the day I enrolled, he has looked after me with great care. Even though certain people with filthy minds have twisted that kindness into something ugly, I know the truth. There is nothing between Professor Weiss and me beyond a pure, professional relationship."

She turned to look at me, her voice thickening with a teary quiver.

"Ms. Henson, I grew up without a mother or a father. I've always looked up to Professor Weiss as a father figure. We are not what you think we are. I'm begging you, please stop targeting me."

Tears streamed down her face like rain on pear blossoms, and she looked utterly pitiful.

The audience, none the wiser, turned on me with their accusations.

"Mrs. Weiss, you're a grown woman. Why are you picking on a young girl?"

"Exactly. She's an orphan. Hasn't she suffered enough without you bullying her?"

"Just stand up and apologize to Ms. Mercer. Then we can all move on."

I watched the gloating flicker behind Vivian's tearful mask and arched a brow.

"Are you finished?"

She nodded, feigning a tremor of fear.

I stood and called toward the back of the hall. "All right. Play it."

Every head in the room swiveled in confusion, no one sure what was about to happen.

The next second, the massive screen behind the stage blazed to life. An explicit video of two very familiar people began playing, and their breathy, sugary moans echoed on loop through the exhibition hall's speakers.

Elmer and Vivian stood frozen on stage, faces drained of color, eyes flooded with raw panic.