Chapter 4

"Everyone's gone crazy. They all want to hit me, but I didn't do anything wrong," I said.

Amara stopped what she was doing and sighed.

"Oh, there must be some misunderstanding." She comfortingly patted my back. "Don't worry, tell me slowly, what exactly happened?"

Sobbing, I told her everything that had happened today.

From the company, to Sawyer's place, to just now in the dorm.

Amara frowned deeply. "You're saying it's all because you wiped the water from your hands?"

I nodded vigorously.

"Then do it again, let me see." She pointed to the small sink in the office.

I was terrified. I didn't dare move.

"Don't be afraid. I'm here. No one will hurt you."

Her eyes were full of kindness and encouragement.

Gathering my courage, I walked to the sink and carefully turned on the water.

I washed my hands meticulously, then turned off the tap.

This time, I didn't dare use tissues, nor a towel.

I looked at my dripping wet hands and hesitated.

Finally, I lifted my arm and used my own sleeve to wipe the water away bit by bit.

After finishing, I turned my head nervously to look at Amara.

The kindness had vanished from her face.

Her whole body seemed to freeze, instantly rigid.

The look in her eyes changed from the earlier heartache and gentleness to undisguised fear and anger.

"You... you monster."

She grabbed the mop from the corner and swung it hard at me.

The mop handle was solid wood. The pain was intense as it hit my body.

"Amara, what are you doing?" I was beaten to the ground, rolling, my skin torn open.

"Get out. Get out of here." She chased me out of the dormitory building like a madwoman, beating me all the way.

Barefoot, I staggered through the cold campus.

The night wind blew, making the wounds on my body sting as if sprinkled with salt.

Only one thought remained in my mind.

My professor.

I still had my professor.

Carlos Cooper had always treated me as his most prized student, like his own child.

As long as he knew the truth, he would definitely protect me.

Dragging my severely injured body, using all my strength, I ran towards the nearby teaching building.

I stumbled to the door of his office; it was slightly ajar.

I pushed it open. Carlos was reading documents, wearing his reading glasses.

He heard the noise and looked up. Seeing me covered in blood, the pen in his hand clattered to the floor.

"My God, who did this to you?" He looked heartbroken, tears almost welling in his eyes.

He quickly stood up and came around the desk to support me.

I remembered how he had nurtured me before.

Giving me the best project opportunities, recommending me to the top experts in the field.

He always told others I was like his own daughter.

"Sit down, sit down quickly." He helped me to the sofa, his voice trembling. "Tell me, who beat you like this?"

I choked up, unable to speak, just shaking my head desperately.

"Was it Sawyer? Or your roommates?" He looked at my injuries, his eyes full of anger. "Outrageous. This is absolutely outrageous."

He paced back and forth in the office, furious.

"I'll go settle this with them. I'm going to see the president right now."

He picked up the phone on his desk, about to dial.

"Professor, don't." I finally found my voice, though it was small. "Not yet, I... I'm scared."

He put down the phone and heaved a heavy sigh, the heartache in his eyes deepening.

"Good girl, don't be afraid. Your teacher is here." He walked over and patted my shoulder. "Calm down first, have some water."

He turned to the water dispenser and poured me a cup of warm water.

I took the cup; my hands were shaking so badly some water spilled out, dripping onto the back of my hand.

I drank the water in big gulps; the warm liquid flowing into my stomach drove away some of the chill.

After drinking, I handed the cup back to him.

The water droplets on my hand felt sticky and uncomfortable.

I instinctively wanted to dry them.

My gaze fell on the tissue box on his desk.

My body instantly froze.

Then, I saw the towel hanging on the wall nearby.

My breath hitched.

Carlos looked at me with concern. "What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"

I shook my head, forcing a smile like crying.

I couldn't make another mistake.