Chapter 19 Hidden Ace
Joanna moved closer, the blanket wrapped around her, walking slowly toward Adrian while hugging herself, as if she were a wounded woman seeking an explanation.
" It already happened." Her voice was soft, but full of hidden pressure. "You slept with me. So you have to take responsibility."
Adrian turned quickly. "Joanna, i wasn't even aware of what was happening. I was drunk. I don't remember anything."
"Don't remember?" Joanna raised an eyebrow, feigning offense. "You are truly outrageous. Last night you were perfectly conscious." She moved closer, her fingertips touching Adrian's chest, making the man take a step back. "You hugged me so tightly... how could that be unconscious?"
Adrian shook his head quickly, his face pale. "I apologize. I don't know how this could happen. But I can't take responsibility for something I don't even remember."
Joanna paused for a moment. Her gaze turned cold.
"It's that easy for you to run from responsibility?" Joanna's voice lowered, almost like a threat.
Adrian feared the consequences for his marriage if he remained.
"I'm sorry, Joanna. That's all I can say." He grabbed his jacket. Then, without looking back, he rushed out of the apartment door, without even saying goodbye.
The door slammed, silence settling around Joanna. After a brief pause, a small, triumphant smile slowly curled her lips.
She walked calmly to the corner of her room, slid a small table aside, and reached for a small, box-shaped object. A small black camera. She took it carefully, pressed a button, and smiled even wider when the small screen displayed the recording from last night.
The recording of the drunk Adrian... The recording of her taking advantage of the man's state... A recording that clearly showed both of them in bed.
"Perfect," Joanna whispered, her eyes gleaming with satisfaction.
She sat on the bed, replaying a few specific seconds, then stopped when she heard Adrian's weak voice. "…Selina…"
Joanna leaned forward, turning up the volume. Selina.
She closed her eyes for a moment, then opened them again with an even more cunning smile.
"So... who are you, Selina?" Her eyes shone, no longer from lust, but from dangerous curiosity.
Because now, she not only had the recording as a weapon. She had a name. A name capable of shaking Adrian's life, and one she could exploit.
Meanwhile, on campus, Aveline walked with her head bowed. Her eyes were swollen, the skin under her eyes red from crying all night. Several students turned to look, but she didn't care. She just wanted to get to her class and sit quietly.
But someone stopped her before she could enter the hall.
"Aveline?"
She turned. A senior lecturer, Professor Barbara, stood there with a look of deep concern.
She looked Aveline up and down, then said softly, "Come with me for a moment. There's something I need to discuss with you. It's important."
Aveline was surprised, but didn't dare refuse. She followed the professor to her office. Professor Barbara's office was filled with the aroma of coffee and old paper. The atmosphere, which was usually calming, made the back of Aveline's neck feel cold today. She sat in the chair opposite the professor, gripping her bag tightly.
Professor Barbara laced her fingers on the desk, looking hesitant before finally speaking.
"Aveline... I don't want you to misunderstand me. I don't intend to interfere in your personal affairs, but as a colleague, and as someone who sees you like a daughter, I feel you need to know this."
Aveline's heart pounded. "What is it, ma'am?"
Professor Barbara took a long, heavy breath, like someone who had to reveal something they themselves hated to say.
"It's about Ezra."
Aveline tensed.
Professor Barbara continued slowly, "You know that he took a long leave of absence from college, right?"
Aveline shook her head. She only knew that Ezra had entered this semester. She initially thought Ezra was a new student, but apparently not.
Professor Barbara nodded, as if she had expected it. "That was because of a problem that... couldn't be easily ignored. A problem that happened a few years ago and involved one of our lecturers here."
Her eyes looked directly into Aveline's eyes. "That lecturer was named Selina."
Aveline tensed. She had just heard that name, but why did it sound so familiar to her ears?
Professor Barbara saw Aveline's shocked expression, but she continued with a cautious voice.
"Selina was a lecturer here. She was beautiful, smart, and well-liked by many students." She looked out the window, as if recalling something unpleasant. "And... she was very close to Ezra."
Aveline felt her body freeze.
"Close... in what way?" she asked, her voice barely coming out.
Professor Barbara did not answer directly. She pressed her thin lips together, then said slowly, "Close enough that rumors spread everywhere. Although it was never proven, many saw them often going out together. Too often for a student and a lecturer."
Professor Barbara finally looked deeply at her.
"Selina was found dead a few days after she was last seen with Ezra."
The next moment felt like a long silence. Aveline's breath caught. Her blood ran cold.
Professor Barbara continued in a low voice, as if afraid of being overheard. "Her death... was mysterious. There was no evidence that Ezra was involved. There were no witnesses there. No recordings. Nothing." She paused briefly before continuing. "But all the accusations at the time... pointed to him. Very strongly."
Aveline covered her mouth with her hand. Her chest was tight, and her legs were trembling.
"And because of that pressure, because the issue never truly disappeared... Ezra chose to take a leave of absence. He disappeared for a while."
Silence returned to fill the room. Professor Barbara leaned back in her chair. She looked truly worried.
"I know he's back now. He seems much more... stable. But the social trauma of the other students hasn't disappeared. Many of them look at him suspiciously. Although there is no proof, some people still believe that Ezra has a connection to Selina's death."
Aveline closed her eyes tightly.
Professor Barbara leaned forward, her voice softer but also firmer than before.
"Aveline," she said. "I know you are kind. You are gentle. You are fragile. I can see that in your eyes. But... your closeness with Ezra... makes me afraid that you will repeat the same pattern as Selina. You are very similar to her, even though you are much younger. You are motherly, calm, warm, and easily liked. And also easily... leaned on."
Aveline opened her eyes with a start. Professor Barbara looked at her with pity.
"So I just want to tell you one thing." She gently patted Aveline's hand. "Be careful, Aveline."