Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed novel Chapter 807

“Give, give, give! All you ever do is give gifts! That’s called bribery, don’t you get it?!” Hertha yelled at her, on the verge of tears.

Beverley froze for a second, then jabbed her finger hard into Hertha’s forehead. “You ungrateful girl! Who do you think I’m giving gifts for, huh? You think I’m stupid, just handing out box after box of good stuff to strangers for fun? Without my help, do you really think your professors would treat you so well?”

“Oh… really? Is that what this is? You’re doing it for me?” Hertha laughed, half-choking on her own tears, her eyes brimming with sarcasm.

Beverley stared at her, stunned. “What’s wrong with you? Don’t scare your mother like this…”

“Just admit it,” Hertha pushed away Beverley’s reaching hand, “you’re doing it all for your own pride. You want me to live out the life you never had!”

“Because you never went to a top university, and you ran off to the entertainment industry when you were barely out of high school. Even after you married Dad, Grandma never liked you because of your background and your education!”

“That’s why, ever since I was little, you drilled it into me and my brother’s heads: get good grades, get into a top college, study abroad, go to grad school, get a PhD!”

“But I can’t! I’m not a straight-A student, I can’t even get into grad school! I’m just like you—we’re not cut out for academia! Maybe we both deserve to be looked down on!”

“Now Edna’s being investigated, and the gifts I gave her have come to light. The university wants to expel me! Are you happy now?”

Gifts gave her everything, and gifts destroyed her.

Hertha poured out her rage, then ran upstairs sobbing.

Beverley stood there in shock.

Her face mask slipped off and landed on the floor. The beauty wand in her hand fell with a clatter as her fingers went limp. Her proud posture sagged until she seemed to shrink into herself.

From a distance, she looked ten years older.

Sinful. Utterly sinful.

…

The whistleblower scandal exploded across campus, and its aftermath was just as dramatic.

University officials scrambled to manage the public outrage and rebuild their reputation.

Online, people cheered what they called a milestone victory in academic history.

Carlson managed a small smile and patted his shoulder. “I’ll be fine, really. I knew what could happen when I made my choice. I don’t regret it.”

“But… you still don’t have an advisor. If this keeps up, how will you ever graduate?” Arkle turned away, hastily wiping his eyes.

Carlson gave a soft laugh. “What professor would want a student with a reputation for whistleblowing? For all they know, I might turn on them next. I get it, I really do—people look out for themselves. Professors are no different.”

“But… but—”

Just then, Carlson’s phone rang.

“Hello?”

“Carlson, it’s Mamie.”

He stiffened, listening.

Mamie’s voice continued, “Do you have a moment? Roseanne would like to meet with you.”