Chapter 2

When I went back to the university to pack up my father’s things, the dean summoned me to a lecture hall. Violet was standing on the stage with a grin on her face.

“Your PhD thesis is the same as Violet’s. Explain yourself.”

Violet immediately spoke first. She said, “Professor Smith guided me through the thesis while he was still alive. Professor Thompson can be my witness.”

I had met Professor Thompson before. His daughter was working at Henry’s law firm.

‘I see,’ I thought.

The dean publicly announced that I had plagiarized Violet’s thesis and expelled me.

All my years of hard work went down the drain.

I did not defend myself because it was not the time for that yet.

It would only hurt more if they fell from a greater height.

Once I returned to the villa, I put the prepared divorce agreement on the table. Henry had just come back. When he saw my luggage bag, he rebuked me, saying, “Luna, can you stop being so childish? I can’t believe you’d actually try to run away from home.”

When he saw that I was still giving him the cold shoulder, he was displeased. “I’m talking to you. Why are you pretending to be mute?”

He scoffed, but when he saw the divorce agreement on the table, he was stunned. “You want a divorce? Just because of that stupid thesis?”

However, I still refused to react, so he decided to soften his tone. “Violet isn’t the same as you are. She has no family supporting her and has to depend on herself. Just let her win this once.”

I just found Henry’s sweet tone disgusting. “You don’t have to say anything. Just sign it.”

Henry just lit the agreement up in flames and threw it at my feet. “My patience has limits. If you just swallow your pride and stop with this, I’ll pretend that nothing happened.”

When I saw Henry’s cold gaze, I remembered that this was how he acted in court too. Regardless of what evidence the opposing lawyer brought out, he would fight until the very last moment.

He had his principles and would never admit defeat.

So, whenever we argued, I was the one who apologized and asked for reconciliation first.

The moment Henry saw that my expression was turning even darker, he said, “I know that you’re in a bad mood because your father passed away. Once I’m done with my tasks on hand, let’s go on a holiday to relax.”

He was giving in at this point, but before I could consider it, I received news that Violet had been elected as an academician.

With my father’s lifelong research results, she became the youngest PhD holder in the National University.

I trembled in rage. I was not going to let my father’s murderer claim credit for his work.

So, I got my father’s drafts and research data, organized them, and posted them online, but in less than ten minutes, someone removed them.

In the next second, someone flung my door open.

Violet stormed over to me and yelled, “Are you trying to kill me by posting those things?!”

I checked the trending tags. It might have just been up for ten minutes, but it still caused irreversible damage to Violet.

“That old man is already dead. Letting me claim credit for the data will allow me to bring out its full value. If he somehow learns about this, he’ll also be able to rest in peace.”

“Do you really think that my father will be happy that his murderer is claiming credit for his work?!” I shot back.

Violet’s eyes went wide with shock before ruthlessness flickered in them. “Yeah. I claimed credit for his work. What of it? As long as Henry still sides with me, you’ll never win.”

She then brought a flame to the papers on the table, and fire instantly spread out.

When I saw my father’s blood, sweat, and tears going up in flames, I tried to use my hands to extinguish the fire. I did not even care about the pain.

However, smoke still filled the room, and I heard Violet’s weakened voice. “I’m sorry, Henry. I couldn’t get Luna to forgive me. Don’t blame her. I was just too selfish.”

Henry rushed over and cradled her burned hands. His heart was full of pity for her.

He ignored my blister-covered hands and snapped at me, “Have you lost your mind, Luna?! I was the one who asked Violet to do it. She’s my savior. Why can’t I thank her by helping her get her PhD?!”

I was shocked and cried out, “What on earth are you saying? My father is the one who saved you!”