"I don't care about this ridiculous scandal everyone outside is obsessing over," Professor Martin said heavily, his voice low with disappointment. "As your teacher, what I care about is your academic integrity and your attitude toward learning. I always believed you were improving. Your foundation may not be as solid as some of the others, but you were willing to put in the effort. That's why I valued you. How could you do something so careless, so irresponsible?"
Isabella's fingers clenched slowly.
This thesis was hers. Every word of it.
She had spent months buried in books and reference materials, hardly stepping out of the house.
During that time, she barely slept. She even rejected Brandon when he came looking for her, choosing to stay in and revise chapter after chapter instead. Every argument, every citation, every conclusion had been polished by her own hands.
She wanted to explain. She needed to explain.
Just as she drew in a breath, a familiar, gentle voice cut in.
