Chapter 4

I didn't stay home. Instead, I grabbed my keys and drove straight to campus.

State University. My office was located in the Law Department.

I am Dr. Valerie Vance, a tenured professor of law and a core board member of a highly prestigious federal research fellowship. Because I rarely participate in public events and spend most of my time doing academic research and mentoring post-grads, it was completely normal that Audrey didn't recognize me.

As soon as I sat down in my office, my colleague Professor Harrison’s assistant knocked on the door.

"Dr. Vance, Professor Harrison wanted me to bring over the applications for this year’s research fellowship. He said we need your final approval on the candidates."

"Thanks."

I took the folder. This fellowship was heavily funded by the federal government and carried immense weight in the legal community. Countless top-tier graduates applied every year, and Professor Harrison and I had to personally vet each one.

I flipped through the list of candidates, scanning their resumes.

Then, my fingers stopped on page three.

A name jumped out at me.

Audrey Sterling.

Undergrad: Yale Law.

Proposed Advisor: Professor Harrison.

Research Focus: Community Governance and Property Rights.

Initial Review Note: *Excellent academic background. Highly recommended for the final round.*

I looked at the name and couldn't help but smile.

Talk about walking right into my hands.

Even better, the lawyer she hired, Marcus Finch, had presented a paper at an academic conference last year. I had publicly called him out for fabricating data, utterly humiliating him in front of the entire state bar association.

So, a candidate trying to get into a program I co-directed was actively harassing me at home, accompanied by a lawyer who held a massive grudge against me?

I picked up my phone and dialed Audrey’s number.

"Hello," she answered, her voice still dripping with superiority.

"Audrey, it’s Valerie. Have you decided to sign?"

"I told you, I’ll give you my answer in three days," I said, my voice completely flat.

"Oh, so you need time to cry about it?" She chuckled. "I knew a regular person like you couldn't handle the pressure."

"Tell you what, I'll give you a break."

"Tomorrow morning, bring the signed agreement to my door. And make sure you have a better attitude."

I smiled.

"Sure."

"Tomorrow morning, 10 AM, in the hallway."

I pronounced every word clearly.

"I will personally give you my answer."

The next morning, I opened my door right on time.

Audrey and her lawyer were already waiting in the hallway, both wearing smug, victorious grins.

"Ms. Vance, glad to see you’ve made the smart choice," the lawyer spoke first, holding out a pen and the agreement.

Audrey was leaning against the wall, casually sipping a cup of coffee.

"Good. If you had just done this from the start, we could have avoided all this drama."

"Sign it, and you can start the renovations today."

"Oh, and since my parents are older, you’ll also need to pay for a private nurse for them. We'll send you the monthly bill."

"As for me, you need to hire a maid to clean my apartment twice a day."

"You will completely adapt your life to our standards. My parents demand absolute silence when they move in."

"Aren't you worried that I might be your superior one day?" I interrupted her calmly.

"You?" Audrey scoffed, looking at me with pure disdain. "With your lifestyle?"

She actually laughed out loud.

"Do you even know who my fellowship advisor is going to be? Professor Harrison! He is a living legend in the legal world! You wouldn't even qualify to be his research assistant!"

"Look at yourself. You don't look academic at all."

"Stop dreaming, lady."

I raised an eyebrow and ignored her insults.

Instead, I reached into my leather briefcase, pulled out her printed fellowship application, and held it up.

I tapped my finger right on her name and her application details.

"Audrey Sterling."

The smile on Audrey’s face froze instantly.

She straightened up, her eyes glued to the document in my hand.

"Where... where did you get that?" Her voice began to tremble.

The lawyer leaned in to look, and his face instantly turned paper-white. He clearly recognized me now.

I leaned against my doorframe, crossing my arms, enjoying the view.

"Audrey Sterling. Applying for the Harrison Law Fellowship, focusing on 'Community Governance.' You passed the initial review."

I smiled and introduced myself.

"I forgot to mention. I’m Dr. Valerie Vance. I am a tenured professor at State University, and I am the co-director and head evaluator of the fellowship program you just applied to."

"According to the program’s rules, no matter which advisor you want, you cannot be admitted without my final signature."

"To put it simply, your entire academic future is in my hands."