The Plagiarism Scandal That Destroyed My LifeChapter 1
I sacrificed my hard-earned qualification to stay in school and set off for Arizona, seeking peace. But then, my supervisor called, accusing me of using a plagiarized paper to frame Felicity Morgan.
In my previous life, Felicity and I had both vied for the coveted spot to remain in school. Our supervisor made it clear: whoever published their research first would secure it. So I practically lived in the lab, pouring my heart and soul into my work, day and night.
But Felicity submitted her paper first—and to my shock, it was identical to mine. I was branded the plagiarist. I tried to explain, but my supervisor declared me guilty without a second thought, siding with her. The betrayal was devastating.
Even my own roommate turned against me, whispering rumors that I had been using plagiarism to snatch scholarships ever since I started my doctorate. Then, she went even further—poisoning me with paraquat.
When I opened my eyes again, I was no longer dying. I returned to the day I won the qualification to stay in school.
"The current job market is tough, and this qualification to stay in school is a rare opportunity," the tutor said with a stern look, holding his freshly brewed coffee. "Since both you and Felicity are graduating this year, it's only fair for you to compete. Whoever publishes a paper in a top journal first will earn the right to stay."
His words were sharp, but his tone was calm. He patted my shoulder, pulling me from the storm of painful memories. With a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes, he looked at me expectantly, silently asking for my agreement.
Just as I opened my mouth to respond, he cut me off. "Since neither of you object, we’ll move forward with this plan. To ensure fairness, I’ll personally oversee the process," he added, his voice firm, as though everything had already been decided.
In my previous life, the tutor had been nothing but kind to me. He guided me through my research, helped me navigate personal challenges, and treated me with the care of both a brother and a father. I never imagined that in the end, he would be the one to push me into the abyss.
I adjusted the heavy glasses on my nose, their weight grounding me in the reality that this wasn’t a dream—I had lived again.
Without a word, the tutor turned and called Felicity over, saying he needed to guide her on her thesis.