Chapter 7
A few days later, the Dean’s List Awards ceremony took place in the main auditorium.
I wore a simple button-down and slacks, sitting in the nominees’ section.
The moment I sat down, I could feel eyes on me from every direction – curious, judgmental, disgusted, and some not even trying to hide their anticipation of this drama.
Sophia and Aaron were there too, planted right in the front row.
Sophia had deliberately worn this faded, washed-out old dress, her eyes broadcasting concern and heartbreak, like she couldn’t bear to witness my downfall.
S
Aaron sat next to her, spine rigid, his face showing the kind of anger that comes from feeling betrayed.
They weren’t here for an awards ceremony – they were here for my public humiliation.
The ceremony moved through each category, and soon they reached the highest honor – the Dean’s Distinguished Student Award.
When they called my name, the applause was pretty half-hearted, mixed with plenty of murmured commentary.
I stood calmly and walked toward center stage.
Just as I was about to shake hands with President Morrison and accept my
“Hold on!”
A voice sliced right through the formal atmosphere.
Everyone turned to look.
Aaron had shot up from his seat, clutching a USB drive in his hand.
certificate –
“President Morrison, administration! I don’t think Rachel Leroix deserves this award! Her behavior goes against everything this university stands for!”
Every camera and pair of eyes immediately focused on him.
Sophia stood up too, putting on this pained expression like she didn’t want to do this but had no choice.
“Aaron, don’t… let’s just give Rachel some dignity…”
“No way! I’m not gonna sit here and watch this bitch destroy our school’s reputation!”
Aaron brushed off Sophia’s hand and stormed toward the AV booth, jamming the USB drive into the port without permission.
The administration on stage looked at each other, clearly caught off guard.
The next second, that secretly-taken photo of Dad and me appeared on the big screen.
“Everyone look at this!”
Aaron pointed at the screen, his voice dripping with pain and betrayal.
“This is Rachel with her… sugar daddy! She’s a kept woman!”
“Over Thanksgiving break, she was openly intimate with him the evidence is right there!”
“He flew her around on private jets, pays for her luxury lifestyle, the fancy cars – this is where it all comes from!”
He turned to face me, his expression full of dramatic anguish: “Rachel! I thought you were just a little shallow, but I never imagined you’d sink this low! You’ve completely disappointed me!”
“What gives you the right to accept this award? Because your sugar daddy has money and influence?”
Right on cue, Sophia let out these soft, heartbroken sobs, dabbing at bone-dry eyes with a tissue, like she was heartbroken by her friend’s corruption.
The auditorium absolutely erupted.
Every eye in the place was on me, waiting to see how I’d react, waiting to watch me crash and burn.
Standing there center stage, looking at their jealous, fake-ass faces, I didn’t panic.
Instead, I let out a clear, amused laugh.
I calmly picked up the microphone, my voice carrying through the sound system to every corner of the auditorium:
“You done?”
