Chapter 4

The group filed into the apartment. When they saw Julian slumped on the floor and Chloe shivering under the sheets in the bedroom, surrounded by chaos, their expressions turned incredibly grim.

The evidence was undeniable. No explanations were needed.

The Title IX officer took a deep breath, walked up to Julian, and said coldly, "Professor Vance, put some clothes on immediately. You need to come with us to the administration office for a formal investigation."

Julian looked as if his soul had been sucked out. He put on his clothes like a robot.

Chloe was also told to get dressed and was escorted out.

She was sobbing so hard she could barely breathe, repeating "I'm sorry" and "I was forced" over and over again.

Before leaving, Chancellor Andrews walked over to me. His voice was heavy with apology. "Mrs. Sterling, the university is deeply shocked and saddened by this. We will conduct a thorough investigation, and there will be no leniency. On behalf of the university, I offer my deepest apologies for the pain this has caused you and your family."

I simply nodded.

The crowd ushered a despondent Julian and a hysterical Chloe out of the apartment.

The place instantly became quiet.

Seven years of love had ended in the ugliest way possible.

But I knew this was only the beginning.

The university's investigation, the public scandal, the division of assets...

A much longer and harder battle was waiting for me.

Julian wouldn't just sit back and take it. His mentor, who cared about reputation more than life itself, and the other faculty members whose interests were tied to Julian, would definitely try to strike back.

I pulled out my burner phone—thankfully, I had prepared beforehand.

I dialed a number.

"Hello? Is this the investigative reporter from the *Academic Watch*?"

"Yes, speaking."

"I have an exclusive scoop on a top-tier Life Sciences professor at Bayview University. It involves severe academic fraud, embezzlement of research funds, and sexual exploitation of students. The evidence is solid. Are you interested?"

An excited voice came from the other end. "Absolutely! Who am I speaking with?"

"It doesn't matter who I am," I said, looking out at the dark city skyline, a cold smile touching my lips. "What matters is that the truth needs to be told."

"See you on the front page tomorrow."

The next morning, I turned on my burner phone.

Instantly, it exploded with notifications.

Hundreds of missed calls.

They were from Julian, his mentor, our mutual friends, and even some distant relatives I barely knew.

My Snapchat and messages were completely flooded.

Pleas, accusations, threats, demands... it was a complete circus.

Julian’s messages started with furious threats: *“Clara, you fucking bitch, you ruined me! If I go down, I'm taking you with me!”*

Then they turned into pathetic begging: *“Honey, I’m so sorry. I was stupid, it was a temporary lapse of judgment. Please give me another chance. I can't live without you...”*

And finally, desperate curses: *“You cold-hearted bitch! I hope you burn in hell!”*

I scrolled through them with an expressionless face, feeling absolutely nothing.

Then, Dr. Arthur Lewis, Julian's mentor, called me. His tone was accusatory. "Clara, how did things get this far? Julian made a mistake, yes, but young men falter. You have to look at the bigger picture! His academic future, the reputation of our department—they can't be destroyed over a domestic dispute! Why couldn't you resolve this behind closed doors? Why drag it out to the public and make us a laughingstock?"

I sneered.

The bigger picture? A laughingstock?

My marriage and my life were apparently nothing more than a tiny footnote in their precious "bigger picture."

I opened my news app.

As expected, the story by *Academic Watch* was already viral.

*“Scandal at Elite University! Vanguard Fellowship Nominee Caught Performing 'Anatomy Lesson' on Wedding Bed!”*

*“Academic Ethics Shattered! Famous Professor Exposed by Wife for Fraud and Sexual Exploitation!”*

*“Leaked Backstage Photos at Science Conference Reveal Shocking Behavior!”*

The headlines were incredibly dramatic.

Although the faces of Julian and Chloe were pixelated, the background and clothing were distinct. Anyone in the academic community could recognize them in a heartbeat.

The comment sections were a warzone.

People were bashing academic corruption, expressing sympathy for me, calling Julian a monster, and a few trolls were questioning my motives, asking why I hadn't reported him sooner.

The story was spreading even faster than I had anticipated.

But this was exactly what I wanted.

To blow this up so spectacularly that the university couldn't possibly sweep it under the rug.

To ensure Julian was completely ruined, with zero chance of recovery.

Right then, an unknown local number flashed on my screen.

I hesitated for a moment, then picked up.