"Julian? What the hell has gotten into you?" Leo Flynn had never expected Julian to openly attack Sebastian like this. But this was absolutely not the time for a civil war. He quickly stepped between them to block the escalating tension.
Raelynn's fate hadn't even been finalized yet.
There was no reason for them to start tearing each other apart.
Julian didn't even know what was wrong with him. Maybe it was the endless accumulation of horrific moments that forced him to fully realize the sheer, terrifying depth of Sebastian's cruelty toward Raelynn. Inevitably, it had birthed a twisted, suffocating wave of sympathy for her.
His jaw clenched so hard a muscle feathered in his cheek. He took a deep, grounding breath and forced himself to step back.
He abandoned the pointless fight with Sebastian.
Instead, he turned his eyes back to Raelynn, who was standing entirely alone in the dead center of the hurricane.
Leo Flynn let out a heavy sigh of relief.
He glanced nervously at Sebastian, his eyes flickering with uncertainty.
Because if this plagiarism charge actually stuck, Raelynn was undoubtedly, permanently finished.
Sebastian slowly dragged his gaze away from Julian. He hadn't shifted his posture by a single inch. His long fingers continued to lazily spin the cold metal lighter resting on his thigh.
"The facts haven't even been established yet," he said, his voice a flat, dead calm.
Julian offered no response.
He knew exactly what this was.
It was the ultimate, cold-blooded act of standing by while the world burned someone alive.
As for Raelynn, the initial shock had passed, leaving her in a state of absolute, chilling composure.
She was incredibly smart. It took her mere seconds to map out exactly how this mob was going to be manipulated.
This entire bloodbath had Seraphina's fingerprints all over it.
It was a perfectly executed, premeditated slaughter.
Today was no ordinary event. Standing in a room packed with the absolute titans of the medical pyramid, an explosive scandal like this was designed to instantly butcher her career. Her prestigious title as an Associate Professor at Kingsford University, her entire future—everything could be vaporized in a matter of seconds.
They wanted her stripped of everything, thrown off her pedestal, and crushed into dust.
Dr. Hayes frowned deeply.
She cast a worried look at Raelynn, who was still standing perfectly still in the center of the room.
"The truth will require a full investigation," Dr. Hayes announced firmly. "We will not wrongly condemn anyone who shows true reverence for academic integrity."
But Professor Finch just slammed his teacup down, a dark chuckle rumbling in his chest. "Well, since Ms. Vance claims she has rock-solid evidence, let's honor her request. Run the comparison right now."
Raelynn could feel hundreds of predatory eyes burning into her flesh.
She spoke, her voice ringing out with crystal clarity. "My paper was tampered with. I am formally requesting a full investigation."
The rhetoric quickly spiraled into furious, hateful venom.
Sebastian sat perfectly still, his bottomless dark eyes locked onto Raelynn the entire time.
His thumb slowly traced the empty groove on his lighter where the diamond used to be.
She didn't panic, and he didn't intervene.
Julian pressed his lips tightly together, desperately looking toward Dr. Hayes and Professor Finch at the front table.
Whatever happened next required the top brass to take control.
Sierra was so enraged her face was bright red. She screamed, "Nothing has been proven yet! Everyone, shut up and calm down!"
Preston Moreno had gone from blinded by rage to completely relaxed the moment he heard the name "Faye." He knew for an absolute fact that this pathetic setup couldn't leave a single scratch on Raelynn.
But then...
His phone vibrated in his pocket.
It was a direct link sent by a junior student at his university.
It was a link to The Online Exposé.
The headline was screaming in bold letters: 'Fraudulent Professor Raelynn Ortiz Exposed as the Other Woman Destroying the Relationship Between the Legendary Faye and Hudson Family Heir! A Complete Moral Disgrace!'

Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Boss, Your Wife Signed the Divorce Agreement Before the Wedding
I think for as slow as the beginning was, their turning point is just so fast... really hope we actually get to read about R and S and their rekindle.... we did not read 950 pages for their story to be sidelined. Im for this sideline story, but it if it's to separate from the main characters and their story, please make it separate book....
Author please update more chapters...
I really like Zella, she is becoming a good friend to Raelynn. Ian needs to go. The relationship with Chloe is confusing. Some chapters they are cousins, sometimes they're sibling. A little confusing....
Julians role as big brother- I feel comes from a genuine place, but in a relationship thats is just as stained as Raelynns and Sebastians. It hard for me to connect to his big brother role as he too was such a problem before. And while they talked a little bit, the conversation did not give me the believe there was resolution between Raelynn and Julian. For a brute, he should make his feelings clear about the situation to Raelynn and then step back, until there is more foundation for him to stand on....
Knife in my heart. I hurt for Raelynn. She has made it this far, but how much does she have in her, everyone has a breaking point. Some back of me hopes the author is joking to lighten the mood after so many intense chapters, but thats not this kind of story or couple....
My heart cannot take this. This, cannot be how it ends with these too. They need resolution with each other. Raelynn needs to be more humanize with Sebastian. We know she is hurt, but this is the branch. She needs all these answers, if not for them to be together, then for Lily to have both her parents. Stop with the mind games Raelynn!...
Its like the story is just repeating itself...
Timeline is getting lost for me. So many treasured little memories Raelynn has but yet, he was gone for years ? Anyways... still rooting for them! These two need a heart to heart. Lily "forgetting" someone, not possible in this day and age and I hope thats not their storyline....
Sebastian, the man of few words.... needs to find all the words! Needs to fight for her! On note, seven years seems like a long time for this master plan (which I am sure goes back much farther). Rereading this novel, and it seems like everything has played out in a 5-8 month time span. And I feel like all Sebastian's doings/ plan have not been revealed. I hope we get to see the whole picture and have the resolutions we hope. But seven years of mistreatment, I just don't see Raelynn fully coming back. If these was 2-3 years, maybe, and I know it changes some characters around, but it would still work. Rooting for them!...
Literally on edge!...