The department head assumed she was going to display some sort of lesson plan or academic journal, so he didn't intervene.
Victor was visibly annoyed.
Just as he opened his mouth to shut her down, the screen flared to life.
Angeline glanced up. The moment she saw the image projected on the wall, the blood drained entirely from her face.
A sun-drenched beach.
Angeline, wearing a tiny bikini, had her pale arms wrapped tightly around Victor's neck.
Victor's lips were pressed against her throat, one hand gripping her waist.
The conference room fell into a deathly silence.
Lavinia's self-righteous smile froze instantly.
She stared at the screen, her pupils contracting into pinpricks.
The travel mug suspended in Victor's hand hovered mid-air. His complexion morphed from red to stark white, then to a sickly gray.
Angeline shot up from her chair. The seat tumbled backward, crashing against the floor.
She tried to run, but her legs gave out. She had to brace her hands against the table, completely immobilized by panic.
Lily raised her voice, ensuring every single syllable echoed crystal clear across the room.
"In Ms. Ashford's promotional portfolio, there is an article published in a core academic journal. The second author is Professor Victor Vance. A member of the review committee wrote a glowing recommendation, co-authored a paper, and cast a deciding vote for his own mistress. I believe The Academic Integrity Board will be highly interested in this."
Lavinia surged to her feet.
She glared at Victor with a primal, murderous intensity. She looked ready to tear his throat out with her bare teeth.
Victor stared blankly at the projector screen, looking as though he had been physically nailed to his chair. Cold sweat poured down his face, soaking his collar.
"Victor Vance! How could you do this to me?! You've been sleeping with this tramp right under my nose!"
Lavinia's shriek practically shattered the windows.
The other faculty members exchanged terrified glances, no one daring to move a muscle.
Victor finally snapped his head toward his wife. He opened his mouth, but his throat seized. Before he could stammer out a single excuse, Lavinia swung her arm back and delivered a vicious slap across his face.
The crack echoed like a gunshot in the silent room.
Victor's travel mug went flying, spilling water everywhere.

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