Chapter 4

"Yarrow, let me tell you, no school would accept a student with such a tarnished record as yours."

"Exactly," Avery chimed in. "If I remember correctly, Yarrow, you're in an integrated bachelor's, master's, and PhD program, right? With such a blemish on your records, you might as well forget about the PhD. All your previous studies would be in vain."

The three of them smirked in unison. The confidence on their faces told me they expected me to bow to their demands and follow the path they had laid out for me.

Looking at them, I suddenly had a change of heart.

"Alright, let's do it then."

Sabrina's face lit up with joy, though she upheld her air of superiority.

"That's more like it."

"Do well, Yarrow. I've already spoken to my dad. Once the competition is over, we'll get married, and he'll arrange a position for you in his company."

Ms. Sutton also gave me her word that I would graduate on time.

But, by then, none of it mattered to me anymore.

...

There were less than 24 hours left until the submission deadline for the competition.

For that, I was forced to stay at the institute. Under the guise of "assisting", I was to perfect the existing design drafts.

To keep me from sabotaging their work, Avery and Sabrina kept a close eye on me, never letting me out of their sight.

The only chance I had to check my phone was during bathroom breaks.

My mom had sent me messages.

"Yaz, is something wrong? Why aren't you answering my calls?"

I replied, "I have some matters to tend to, Mom. Don't worry, I promise I'll be home tomorrow."

Under their close supervision, I finished the remaining drafts in less than half a day.

However, there remained a minor flaw in the 3D model that I couldn't fix.

Avery was sweating bullets, while Sabrina chastised me for being useless.

Through it all, I maintained an innocent expression.

"I've been working here all day. Even a robot would need to recharge.

"How about I go home and rest up for the night? I'll come back to fix it in the morning. The competition isn't until tomorrow afternoon anyway; we've got time."

But Sabrina was adamantly opposed. "What if we don't make the deadline?"

Seeing how she was entirely focused on Avery, I let out a cold laugh. I pretended to complain of a headache and faked a collapse.

They rushed me to the hospital, where I underwent a battery of tests.

The examining doctor concluded that I was simply overworked and needed rest.

Hearing this, the two of them heaved sighs of relief.

But when I showed no signs of waking up, they had no choice but to spend the night at the hospital.

Late at night, I overheard their whispers as they drew close.

I heard Sabrina discourage Avery shyly, "Stop it, Yarrow is right here..."

Avery's voice oozed sleaze and desire. "Doesn't that make it more exciting? Besides, I'm about to win the Golden Zenith Design Award. Once I join their headquarters, Yarrow will be nothing but a nobody. What's there to be afraid of?"

Sabrina seemed quite convinced. Soon, the two were entangled in each other's embrace, sharing a passionate kiss.

I could hear the sickening sound of their lips smacking, over and over again.

Suppressing the nausea rising in me, I waited until they were fully engrossed in each other. Capturing the opening, I snuck out of the hospital.

I called a driver and left Avara City, heading straight for home.

By the time Sabrina and Avery realized I was gone, I was already on a flight back.

Their frantic attempts at reaching me were showing as their names repeatedly flashed across my phone screen. I chose to switch it off as I leaned back in my seat and fell into a peaceful slumber.