Chapter 27 AWFUL MORNING

Chapter 27 AWFUL MORNING
The next morning.

Ruby stepped out of her car in a pastel-pink fitted dress, a matching cardigan, and black boots.

A light breeze brushed through her hair as she adjusted the strap of her leather bag.

As she walked, her mind was already running through her day’s schedule. The project updates, student presentations, and the Switzerland trip. Tomorrow was the trip. Just as she turned towards her office, she heard a voice break through her thoughts.

“Ms Allaire?”

She turned. A young student hurried toward her.

“Ms Heather from the school board needs your attention,” the girl said with a tone so polite, before darting off again into the crowd of students.

Ruby blinked, slightly thrown. Ms. Heather? The name rang a bell she was a member of the university board, rarely seen on campus unless something important was brewing.

Her brows drew together as she glanced around. The day was just starting. Just like her other professors were crossing the quadrangle with coffee cups in hand. A group of students lingered by the fountain, whispering, but then, Ruby caught her name.

"I heard Ms Allaire..." She ignored it, pulling in a steadying breath and hoping not to dwell on it.

As she headed for the administrative wing, the click of her heels echoed faintly against the marble floor as she entered the quieter corridor and her feet took a step before pausing.

They didn't find out about her and Leslie? Her heart dropped instantly at the thought. Her breath catching, but she pulled out her phone, opening the text. Leslie hadn't felt any other message apart from his usual.

"Loy, would pick you up tonight."

Again, a deep breath, straightening before she continued towards the office.

She stopped outside the head’s office, smoothing a hand over her cardigan before giving a gentle knock.

“Come in,” came the deep voice from inside.

Ruby pushed the door open, and her feet paused, refusing to move forward.

Sitting across from the university head were two women. Anna Newton was one of them and her expression was neutral with her hands folded on her lap.

Beside her sat an older woman in a navy-blue blazer, Ms Heather. Her silver hair was swept into a neat twist and her posture commanding. She had sharp eyes behind her glasses.

The air in the room felt different. It felt dense with formality and quiet scrutiny.

Ruby straightened instinctively, forcing a polite smile as she stepped in. “Good morning, sir. Ms Heather.”

Mrs Heather gestured toward an empty chair. “Ah, Ms. Allaire. Please, have a seat.”

Ruby hesitated for a fraction of a second before stepping forward. The air felt heavy, taut. As she sat, her gaze flicked toward Anna Newton and caught the faintest curve of her lips. Not nervous this time. Smug. Self-satisfied.

Ruby’s pulse stuttered. This wasn’t a casual meeting.

“Ms Allaire,” Mrs Heather began, her tone carefully measured, “Anna made a report yesterday. She stated that you ganged up on her during class.”

Ruby’s brows knitted together as her gaze darted to Anna, then back at Mrs Heather. Ganged up? What on earth was this?

Before she could respond, the older woman beside Anna, sharp-featured, immaculately dressed, with a diamond brooch pinned to her blazer, leaned forward.

“Don’t you dare look at my daughter like that,” Mrs Newton snapped, voice cutting like glass. “You’ve been picking on her repeatedly, haven’t you? In a class of thirty students, why is she always the one you target?”

Ruby’s breath hitched. Her fingers clenched together tightly in her lap, trembling against her will.

“Mrs Newton, I don’t quite understand. Anna wasn’t—”

The rest of her words were swallowed by the sudden, shocking crack of a slap across her face.

The impact burned. Her head snapped to the side, the sting spreading through her cheek in hot waves.

For a moment, she just stared at the floor, stunned. Her chest tightened, and her throat ached as tears pricked her eyes. No one had ever. Not once in all her years working, not even in her most difficult newsroom days, had anyone ever dared to disrespect her like this.

She inhaled shakily, gathering herself, forcing her voice to remain steady as she lifted her gaze back to Mrs Newton.

“How dare you think you can embarrass my child because of some little authority you think you have?” the woman hissed. “Do you even know who Anna is?”

“Mrs Newton,” Mrs Heather interjected, rising slightly, “please, let’s take it easy. I’m sure Ms Allaire has an explanation.”

Ruby’s eyes flicked to Anna. The girl’s expression softened into a small, satisfied smile. It gleamed with malice and cruelty.

Her stomach twisted. “Anna is my student,” Ruby said, her voice low but firm. “Like every other student. It’s only right for her to participate in class discussions. I don’t know what the problem is here.”

As Mrs Newton’s hand shot up again, Mrs Heather moved quickly, stepping between them. “That’s enough! Ms Allaire apologised now.”

Ruby’s breath trembled as her eyes stung. Her blood felt hot beneath her skin, anger and humiliation coursing together.

“Ruby Allaire!”

“I didn’t do anything wrong,” Ruby said quietly, voice shaking. “I only asked Anna to read because she was distracted. Maybe I should have left her.”

Mrs Heather’s eyes flashed part fear and part warning.

“Do you know I can fire you this instant? Perhaps you don’t like your job anymore. Maybe it’s become boring for you.”

Ruby swallowed hard, forcing her voice to remain calm. “It’s Professor Allaire, ma’am.”

“Out! Get out!” Mrs Heather shouted, slamming her hand against the desk.

Ruby rose, her face burning, and turned toward the door. But before she could reach it—

“I heard you have a sister here,” Mrs Newton’s voice cut through the room. “What was her name again?”

“Zahra Allaire,” Anna said sweetly.

Ruby froze. Every muscle in her body went rigid. Her heartbeat thundered in her chest, drowning out everything else.

“If you don’t kneel and apologise to my daughter,” Mrs Newton said coldly, “you and your sister won’t have it easy. I’ve heard Zahra’s grades have been improving and she's back on track for her scholarship, isn’t she?”

Ruby turned slowly, her body trembling. Then, without a word, she dropped to her knees. Her motion was stiff, and her dignity was cracking like glass.

“I’ve made a grave mistake,” she said, eyes lifted, burning with fury. “I apologise. It won’t happen again. Please forgive me.”

Zahra. Zahra was her only family left. She would endure anything, even this humiliation, if it meant Zahra was safe.

“Good,” Mrs Newton said, rising, satisfied. “One more thing. My daughter wants to be in Leslie Meyer’s group. I heard you’re the lecturer in charge.”

Ruby’s stomach dropped. That was the final blow.