I Crashed His Meeting to Give Him a Son

Michael Reyes had wielded his influence for so long that he could barely stomach any opposition.

"In this world, talking won't get you far; it's all about resources, connections, and power. Look at yourself—what do you have to offer? Do you really think your mediocre skills will change the world? Before I reconsider, you'd better choose to leave on your own. We'll act like this never happened. You're set to start your internship later this year. I'll ensure you get into Hamilton Industries and give you five grand to keep quiet."

"Just sign this contract if you agree. If not, you're just chasing rainbows." Michael slammed a confidentiality agreement on the desk with disdain.

Maeve Riley listened to his pompous tirade, feeling a surge of nausea. Five grand to stay silent? Did he think she was a charity case?

"Professor Reyes, have you been in this office so long you've forgotten how you used to grovel for Mr. Hamilton?"

"What are you implying?"

Her eyes filled with contempt. "I used to see you as a human being, so I advised you to act like one."

"You impudent...! Say one more word, and I swear I'll make sure you don’t graduate," Michael fumed, his face twisting in anger.

"I know you have the leverage to find any excuse to stop my graduation. But guess what, I'm throwing that threat right back at you."

Maeve suddenly pointed to the small black necklace around her neck.

"See this? It's a camera. I wasn’t planning on using it, but your prized protégé, Aliza, taught me it's best to keep up with technology when dealing with someone like you. So, go ahead, talk more trash, and I’ll post a video of your antics on the university forum. Let's show everyone who Michael Reyes really is!"

Michael hadn’t expected Maeve to have such a backup plan. He lunged forward to snatch it, but Maeve's hand went to the necklace.

"Easy now," she warned. "If you scare me and I accidentally hit this switch, the video goes public on my cloud."

Michael was sweating profusely, his fingers pressing down on the desk as he growled through clenched teeth, "Maeve Riley, what will it take for you to delete that video?"

"It's simple. What's mine stays mine. Even if I have to toss it, I'm not giving it to Aliza. Write a statement, tell everyone Aliza used dirty tricks to steal my spot. I want my scholarship and my chance to study abroad reinstated, and I'll delete it."

Michael responded with a mocking grin. "Have you been living under a rock? After all this, do you think Oxford would still take you?"

"What do you mean?"

Michael tossed his phone in front of her. "See for yourself. The 'esteemed' university student selling out for cash and even livestreaming it. You've tainted the school’s reputation."

Maeve picked up the phone and saw the forum flooded with trending posts. The video at the top featured a scene from that night—Aliza with some sleazy guy. Only now, the girl's face had been swapped with Maeve’s.

The comments were full of slurs.

"This is the real footage of the scandal. The previous one was doctored by the campus queen to frame Aliza. Everyone, come see the real sleazy nature of our so-called 'queen'! Let her have it!"

"I’m disgusted. Maeve seemed so innocent, but she’s actually vile. Apparently, she even flirted with that old man, clearly not her first time."

"Poor Aliza almost got slandered the other day. She's been heartbroken, recovering at home."

Maeve read through several pages; seventy percent of the comments defamed her while the rest sympathized with Aliza.

Maeve had a gut feeling that Aliza orchestrated this mess.

Just as Maeve was about to act, the door swung open. Aliza, heavily disguised and limping slightly, entered the office.

As soon as she saw Maeve, fury lit up her eyes.

"Maeve Riley, how dare you show your face here?!" Aliza’s eyes were red with anger, ready to tear Maeve apart.

Maeve eyed her coolly. "Why shouldn't I come to school? If I'm in the mood, I might even dance on your grave."

"You miserable..." Aliza spat through gritted teeth.

Maeve shrugged nonchalantly. "Looks like your star student needs you, Professor Reyes."

Michael: "..."

One sentence managed to repel both of them.

Aliza had only come for an award she didn’t even want, especially after Maeve had bested her the previous night. Maeve always cared about awards, so Aliza had planned to flaunt them. Who would've thought she'd run into this wretched woman in Michael's office?

Seeing her rival fueled her anger.

Maeve spoke first, "Aliza, you're behind those forum posts, aren't you? Cozying up to that old man, but you used AI to swap faces and pin it on me. Impressive move!"

Aliza was ready to retaliate, but Michael signaled her to halt.

"She has a camera. Be honest. You don’t want to end up like me, saying things in the heat of the moment you’ll regret."

Aliza's eyes narrowed beneath her sunglasses. Thankfully, Michael had warned her; otherwise, she’d be falling into Maeve's trap again. Shifting her tone, Aliza spoke with fake hurt.

"Michael, you have to help me. Maeve has always been against me, envious of my family background. She constantly tries to frame me. Even when she turns to sleazy videos for money, she uses my face! Luckily, a savvy computer science student caught the manipulation and saved my name. Otherwise, she'd ruin me completely!"

To ensure Maeve’s camera caught her act, Aliza moved closer but reached empty air.

Maeve tucked the necklace back into her shirt with a flick of her hair. "Sorry, the battery costs money too. I'm not wasting it on your awful performance."

"I'm not acting! I swear I’m telling the truth. You’ve made my life miserable..." Aliza pretended to cry.

But the composed woman in front of her spoke softly, "Cry all you want now because soon enough, I'll make sure you regret ever shedding those tears."

Aliza locked eyes with Maeve, and a chill tickled her spine. What on earth was this woman planning now?