Alex lunged toward him like a drowning man grabbing a lifeline. "Director Lambert! You're just in time! Anna Matthews' husband raped my sister! She's four months pregnant! Now they won't admit it, and she's slandering my sister, saying we're trying to scam them!"
"Director Lambert." My voice remained level. "They're lying. My husband could not have gotten Georgia pregnant."
Alex's face purpled. "You're finished, yet you're still digging in your heels! A teacher like you is a stain on this school's reputation!" He whirled on Lambert. "I demand you expel Anna Matthews immediately!"
Jacob Lambert shifted in his seat, gaze skittering anywhere but my face. "Ms. Matthews, why don't you go home and rest for a few days? Let things cool down."
I stared at him. "So you're buying into this garbage too?"
He leaned closer, voice dropping to a hiss. His eyes kept flicking to the livestream camera like it might bite him. "It's escalated too far—this is a PR nightmare! You have to consider the school's reputation!"
*The school's reputation.* So I should just roll over and accept baseless accusations to protect the institution's image.
"Jacob." Ice crept into my voice. "If you punish me today because you're bowing to pressure, tomorrow I will sue this institution for defamation. Think very carefully before you speak."
His complexion shifted from pale to a sickly shade of gray.
Georgia Donaldson scrambled up from the floor, wiping theatrical tears from her cheeks. She dug a crumpled piece of paper from her bag with trembling hands.
"Ms. Matthews, I knew you wouldn't admit it easily." Her voice pitched higher, playing to the camera. "That's why I went for an amniocentesis paternity test last week!"
She thrust the paper toward the lens.
"The results show a 99.99% DNA match between the baby in my belly and Mr. Sawyer!"
Silence crashed over the office like a wave.
The livestream comments froze for a heartbeat—then detonated.
*She got what she deserved! Let's see how this witch argues her way out of this one!*
*It's right there in black and white. You can't fake science!*
*She really won't cry until she sees the coffin. A teacher? Shameless!*
Jacob's expression crumbled, panic bleeding through the professional mask.