Chapter 3

Three days before the presentation, a message from Isabella appeared on my phone, inviting me to lunch.

"Emma, I want to thank you in person for your support. Without your understanding, I never would have had this opportunity."

I agreed, morbidly curious to see what game she was playing.

At the restaurant, Isabella was radiant in a white dress, her eyes gleaming with triumph. Marcus was already there, though his smile didn't quite reach his eyes when he saw me.

"Emma, you made it!" Isabella said, rising as if to embrace me.

I offered a polite nod and sat, ignoring her effusive display.

"Marcus and I were just discussing the criteria for the Luna Medical Award," Isabella said, settling back into her seat and leaning deliberately closer to him. "He was saying the committee values clinical application and theoretical innovation above all else."

Marcus chimed in, "Moonlight Therapy has breakthroughs in both areas. Dr. Harrison from the committee even called yesterday to ask for the exact time of the presentation."

I remained silent, a cold numbness spreading through my chest.

"Emma, I really can't thank you enough," Isabella purred, turning to me with eyes full of manufactured gratitude. "Without your generosity, I would never have had a shot at the Luna Medical Award. Marcus told me what this award means to the lycan medical world, and now I finally understand."

I wonder if you’ll be so confident in a prison cell, Isabella.

I set down my fork and met her gaze directly. "Don't thank me."

Isabella's smile only widened. "Marcus has worked so hard helping me prepare. After the Northern Pack conference yesterday, he stayed up with me until three in the morning, revising my speech."

With that, she pulled out her phone, swiping excitedly through her photos. "Emma, look at these pictures from yesterday's conference."

On the screen was a shot of her and Marcus on a stage.

Marcus looked exhilarated, a far cry from the man who constantly complained that I cared more about my research than him.

I managed a faint smile. "Well, congratulations to you both."

Marcus’s own smile faltered. He looked at me, as if he wanted to say something, but held his tongue. Throughout the rest of the lunch, he kept stealing glances in my direction, his brow furrowed in thought.

"Emma, are... are you okay?" he finally asked, his voice low.

"I'm fine," I said, dabbing my mouth with a napkin and rising from my chair. "Good luck with your presentation."

I heard Marcus begin to stand, but Isabella's sickly sweet voice reeled him back in, and he didn't follow.

On my second to last day, I went to the medical institute’s library to retrieve some journals I planned to take with me. As I neared a turn in the stairwell, I froze, recognizing the voices drifting from around the corner.

Marcus and Isabella were seated at a table by the window, surrounded by papers and a laptop.

Marcus was gently rubbing Isabella's shoulder, his expression soft. "Don't worry. No one's research is better than Emma's. This Moonlight Therapy is a guaranteed contender for the Luna Medical Award."

I was about to turn and walk away, but Isabella suddenly shot to her feet.

"Emma? What are you doing here?" Her voice was sharp, accusatory.

A flash of embarrassment crossed Marcus's face.

"Just picking up some materials," I answered, my own expression neutral.

Isabella strode toward me, but just as she reached the top of the stairs, she suddenly cried out and stumbled, throwing herself against a nearby bookshelf.

"Ah!" she shrieked as the heavy shelf began to tip, sending a cascade of books crashing to the floor.

In an instant, Marcus was there, catching a swaying Isabella in his arms.

"Are you okay?" he asked, anxiously examining her.

Isabella clutched her arm, her eyes welling with tears. "It hurts… Emma, why did you push me?"

I stood my ground, my brows knitting together as I watched her pathetic performance.

"I didn't touch you."

"You did! You pushed me!" Isabella’s voice rose, drawing the attention of everyone in the library. "I know you're jealous that I have a shot at the Luna Medical Award, but you can't retaliate like this!"

Marcus's face darkened instantly. He glared at me, his eyes a storm of disappointment and fury.

"Emma, the presentation is just days away! Isabella has worked so hard for this—not just to win an award, but to save more patients. No matter how jealous you are, how could you do something so childish and vicious!"