Chapter 2: The Plagiarism Scandal

The sun rose over the city skyline, but for Aria, it was the darkest morning of her life. Hindi sa opisina ng architecture firm siya nagtungo. Instead, she found herself walking toward the University’s Administration Building, her legs feeling like lead. Her eyes were swollen and bloodshot—namumugto sa magdamag na pag-iyak. Her mind was a chaotic mess, parang isang magulong sinulid na hindi na kayang kalasin.

Every step she took toward the Dean’s office felt like a walk toward her own execution.

When she pushed the heavy mahogany door open, she realized the "trial" was already in session. Sitting comfortably on the leather chairs were Chloe and her mother, Mrs. Elena Rivera—Aria’s stepmother. They looked impeccable, dressed in designer clothes, as if they weren't in the middle of destroying someone’s life. They both offered a thin, victorious smile the moment Aria entered.

“Dean, heto na po ang original sketches ko,” Chloe said with a voice so sweet it was sickening. She placed a thick, elegant folder on the desk. “I actually found these inside Aria’s bag last week. At first, I thought she was just looking at them for inspiration... but I never imagined she would actually have the nerve to pass it off as her own thesis project.”

Aria’s breath hitched. Her heart hammered against her ribs as she looked at the folder. She lunged forward, her trembling hands reaching for the sketches. Her world stopped. Those were hers. Every line, every shadow, every structural detail of "Project Phoenix"—the sustainable skyscraper that she had poured her soul into for the last six months. Six months of sleepless nights, six months of skipped meals, and six months of dreaming.

“Dean, that’s not true! Hindi po totoo ‘yan!” Aria’s voice cracked, her desperation filling the cold room. “I made those! Those are my original concepts. I have digital timestamps on my laptop! I can prove that I started the conceptualization months ago!”

Mrs. Elena Rivera let out a sharp, mocking laugh. “Digital timestamps that are so easy to manipulate and hack?” She stepped forward, her presence intimidating and cold. “Dean, you know the Rivera family. Our company donated the entire new wing of this very building. My daughter Chloe is a brilliant student; she doesn't need to steal from someone like Aria. Design is in our blood.”

Elena looked at Aria with pure disgust. “Aria is just desperate. She knows she has no future without our help, so she resorted to this... this criminal act of plagiarism.”

The Dean, a man whose loyalty had long been bought by the Rivera donations, flipped through the folder. Aria’s vision blurred when she saw Chloe’s elegant signature neatly signed at the bottom corner of every single sketch—signatures that weren't there when Aria last held them.

“Miss Aria Rivera, the evidence is overwhelming,” the Dean spoke, his voice cold and final. “These physical sketches are clearly the original source, and they bear Miss Chloe’s mark. Because of the gravity of this offense—theft of intellectual property and academic dishonesty—the board has decided to expel you immediately. Your credits will be revoked, and you are barred from graduating.”

“Expelled?” The words felt like a physical blow. Parang gumuho ang langit kay Aria. “Dean, please! I’m just a few weeks away from graduation! This is my only hope! Architecture is my life! Please... look at the details, only I can explain the structural logic of that building!”

“The decision is final,” the Dean replied, not even looking her in the eyes. “Please leave before I have security escort you out.”

As Aria stumbled out of the office, her legs nearly giving out, she was blocked by Chloe in the hallway. Chloe was leaning against the wall, checking her manicure, looking perfectly satisfied.

“Poor, poor Aria,” Chloe whispered as Aria tried to pass. “Did you really think I’d let you become a famous architect? Mark wants a wife who has power and status. So, thank you for the design—it’s officially mine now. And that diploma you wanted so badly? Akin na rin. Consider this your final lesson in architecture: the one with the biggest foundation wins.”

“Chloe, how could you? Kapatid mo ako!” Aria cried out, her voice raw with betrayal.

“Step-sister, Aria. At hinding-hindi kita itinuring na pamilya,” Chloe hissed, her eyes dark with malice. She leaned in closer, her voice a deadly whisper. “You were always just the maid’s daughter to me. You don't belong in our world.”

Chloe turned on her heels and walked away. The sharp clack-clack-clack of her stilettos sounded like a hammer driving nails into Aria’s heart.

Dazed and broken, Aria took a taxi to the Rivera Mansion. This was her last resort. Dad will listen to me, she thought, her heart clinging to a tiny shred of hope. He knows how much I love drawing. He knows my passion.

But as the taxi pulled up to the massive iron gates, Aria’s blood ran cold. Her suitcases—the old, battered ones that used to belong to her mother—were piled up on the sidewalk like heaps of trash.

“Dad!” Aria screamed when she saw her father, Donato Rivera, standing on the grand balcony. “Dad! Please, let me in! Let me explain what happened at school!”

Donato stepped forward, his face distorted with a rage Aria had never seen before. “Don’t you dare call me Dad! Pinahiya mo ang pangalan ko! You’re a thief! Elena showed me the evidence. You stole from your own sister? I gave you a roof over your head, and this is how you repay me? By becoming a criminal?”

“Dad, they’re lying to you! Sinisiraan lang nila ako! I spent months on that project! Ask my professors, ask anyone—”

“Shut up!” Donato roared, his voice echoing through the street. “I don’t have a daughter who is a thief and a liar. Wala akong anak na gaya mo! From this day on, you are erased from this family. Your name is no longer Rivera. Get your things and leave. Don’t you ever come back here, or I will have you arrested for trespassing!”

“Dad, please! Wala na akong mapupuntahan!” Aria begged, her hands gripping the cold iron bars of the gate.

But Donato turned his back on her and walked inside the mansion, disappearing into the luxury that Aria was no longer a part of. The security guards stepped forward, their faces stern as they locked the heavy gates with a metallic thud that sounded like the closing of a coffin.

In that exact moment, the sky seemed to mirror her soul. Dark clouds gathered rapidly, and a sudden, violent thunderstorm broke out. Big, heavy drops of rain began to fall, soaking Aria’s clothes and her suitcases.

She stood there, drenched and shivering, staring at the house that was once her home. She had no boyfriend, no degree, no job, and now—no family. She was alone in the middle of a storm, with nothing but a broken phone and a heart that had been shattered into a million pieces.

But as the lightning flashed, reflecting in her tear-filled eyes, something else began to stir beneath the pain. It was no longer just sadness. It was the spark of something dangerous.

They didn't just take my work, Aria thought, her grip tightening on her bag. They took everything.

She looked at the mansion one last time. The rain washed away her tears, but it couldn't wash away the fire starting to burn in her chest. The Riveras thought they had buried her, but they forgot one thing about Project Phoenix:

A phoenix only rises after it has been burned to ashes.

The storm continued to howl, but Aria began to walk. She didn't know where she was going, but she knew one thing for certain: She would be back. And when she returned, she wouldn't be the intern they could easily step on. She would be the storm that would tear their empire down.