"I'm sorry for the trouble I've caused you and the university. To express my apology, I will donate two more laboratory buildings. Please take good care of Professor Jones."

After hanging up, Zayn threw me onto the couch with force and told me in a cold voice, "Shirley, I made it very clear that I would compensate you. Why won't you listen to me? I'm so disappointed in you. Fine, if that's how you want to play, don't blame me for being ruthless."

The man who once vowed to take care of me for life locked me in a pitch-black basement.

To punish me for not obeying him, Zayn ordered the bodyguards to only give me spoiled food.

But that conveniently gave me the chance to fake a stomachache and escape.

After finally shaking off the bodyguards, I wanted to take a taxi to my parents' house.

Besides them, there was no one else I could trust.

But because I hadn't showered or changed clothes for a week, I smelled terrible.

No taxi driver was willing to pick me up.

In the end, I could only walk.

I was exhausted and hungry.

If not for the indelible hatred fueling me, I probably would have passed out by the roadside.

After walking for nearly three hours, I finally arrived at the neighborhood where my parents lived.

I immediately saw my dad standing outside the apartment building.

My eyes welled up with tears, and my anxious heart finally found a moment of peace.

But before I could approach my dad, I suddenly noticed someone else standing in front of him.

It was Zayn's assistant.

I instinctively hid in the stairwell of the next building and pressed my ear tightly against the wall.

"Tell Zayn not to worry. If Shirley contacts us, we'll notify him immediately. We know it's Shirley's fault. We'll make sure she learns her lesson. As for our son's job..."

These words pierced my heart like sharp blades, causing me unbearable pain.

Even my closest family members had betrayed me for a bit of benefit.

Who else in this world could I trust?

No, besides myself, I couldn't trust anyone!

I would never let Zayn and Candace get away with it.

I would expose them in front of everyone.

Even if it would cost me my life.

With that thought, I had no more hesitation. I turned around and ran.

This time, my destination was the university.

If I remember correctly, today was the opening ceremony of the international seminar.

Candace, as the university's youngest professor, was scheduled to give a speech.

At the same time, the university would take advantage of this rare opportunity to formally present her with the letter of appointment.

Zayn was the special guest invited by the university to present the letter of appointment.

For them, today was a day of both fame and fortune.

For me, today was the only chance to prove my innocence and make them pay.

I sneaked into the lecture hall.

Candace was wearing an elegant suit fit for the occasion. Holding the paper she stole from me, she talked eloquently on the podium.

The university leaders and guests below looked at her with admiration.

The students' eyes were also full of respect and envy.

The affection in Zayn's eyes could not be hidden.

Seeing this scene, my fists clenched tightly, and rage burned within me.

Just as Zayn took the letter of appointment from the host and was about to hand it to Candace, I suddenly stood up and shouted as loudly as I could, "She's a thief! She doesn't deserve to be a professor!"