Chapter 2

I knew exactly what she was worried about.

Tina had watched me bust my ass, all just to be good enough for Lucas.

She'd seen how determined I got when I realized my dream advisor, David Berg, was actually Lucas's advisor for his master's degree. I thought I would win, no matter what.

I squeezed her hand back, my nails digging into my palm. "It's the final act. Even if I can't hold it together, I have to."

Once the meeting was done, I would go finish the withdrawal paperwork.

And then, I would walk away from this place for good.

The announcement meeting was held in the small auditorium.

Lucas, as the top senior representative, was already up on stage.

I found myself a corner seat and settled in.

We were practically glued together just this afternoon, but now, even looking at him felt suffocating.

There weren't many people in the audience, but their gossip still reached my ears.

Someone said, "Wasn't Janet supposed to have that spot? What's she doing down here?"

Another person said, "Who knows? Maybe Lucas just got tired of her."

"Hazel isn't even here yet. Looks like they're gonna go public tonight."

"Poor Janet. Stuck it out for three years, just so someone else could take the prize."

I lowered my head, pretending to be busy on my phone.

Out of the corner of my eye, I caught sight of Lucas up on stage, lounging back with his legs crossed, looking totally at ease.

The department head smiled, trying to keep things calm. "Patience, everyone. Our other graduate students under recommendation, Hazel, will be here any minute now."

As soon as he finished speaking, there was a stir at the entrance.

Hazel walked in wearing a pricey, custom-fitted dress, her makeup perfectly on point.

Lucas instantly got to his feet, strolled over like it was second nature, took her bag from her, held her hand, and led her up front to the seat right next to his.

Once Hazel was seated, she scanned the crowd, her eyes locking onto me as the corners of her lips curled in a subtle smile.

"Janet, I didn't expect to see you here," Hazel said.

I clenched the hem of my shirt, trying to keep my voice steady. "The department told me to come, so of course I'm here."

But Hazel wasn't letting up. She cocked her head, her voice soft and sweet, but it was all an act. "Lucas, I heard Janet's just been doing grunt work in your group. You sure you're not playing favorites and reserving that spot just for her?

"And as I recall, Janet said she wouldn't go with any other advisor, right?"

Her questions attracted everyone's attention.

The whispers all around me grew louder.

The department head cleared his throat, looking awkward as hell.

Back when David praised me in front of everyone, I'd gotten carried away and said something I never thought would come back to bite me like this.

Lucas shot Hazel a doting look. "Come on, everyone knows how talented you are."

"Besides," he added, his gaze swept over me, cold and indifferent, like I was just some random nobody. "Janet's only here tonight to make you look even better."

Their little show had the whole crowd whispering, and I could just see the school forum already lighting up with drama.

I sat there on edge, nerves stretched tight, wishing I could bail from this mess as fast as possible.

Taking a deep breath, I got up and tossed a barely-there smile toward the stage. "Congratulations, Hazel. I'm out of the project team. It's my choice."

Lucas suddenly jumped up from his seat, his chair screeching loud enough to make everyone stare.

"I've got something to take care of, so I'm leaving now," I said.

The department head was so stunned by what I did that he totally forgot to keep things under control.

Lucas's face went cold as ice.

"Janet, what the hell are you trying to pull?" he snapped.

His voice was tight with anger. "You're quitting right now? Just because you're in a bad mood, you're wasting everyone's time and trying to threaten me with this?"

I stopped in my tracks, not turning around, keeping my voice as even as I could. "Lucas, I think you've misunderstood. I'm just here to officially withdraw. It won't affect anything going forward."

Lucas strode off the stage in a few steps, moving to block my path.

I didn't want to look up at him, so I kept my eyes fixed on the polished tips of his shoes.

His shadow fell over me, making it hard to breathe.

Before Lucas could say anything, Hazel came over with a smile, sweetly linking her arm with his.

"Janet, what's your deal?" Hazel said with a sweet smile.

She looked me up and down, her gaze dripping with disdain. "Did you really think just a decent face would make Lucas treat you special and hand you everything?

"Is this how all you try-hard girls act—thinking a little effort and some luck will get you everything you want?"

She practically sneered the word "try-hard girls."

Suddenly, I remembered all those late nights, leaving the lab with the moon overhead.

All those failed experiments, scrubbing my face and going back in to start over.

Watching Hazel flash those puppy-dog eyes while spewing such nasty lines seriously made me want to gag.

I just couldn't keep a lid on my anger.

"Hazel, you know damn well how you ended up with that spot," I snapped. "If you're gonna snatch what isn't yours, at least act like you've got some manners. Don't hide behind your family's fancy pedigree and say petty stuff like this."

Hazel's face darkened, and she whipped her hand up, ready to slap me.

But Lucas shot out his arm to block her, his icy gaze drilling into me. "Janet, I never knew you could be so mean."

He grabbed my wrist, squeezing hard, practically forcing me to look him in the eye, his tone laced with mockery. "So, all this fuss is just about that spot, huh?

"Last time you acted all brave, saying you were quitting the project—how did that go? You called me up in the middle of the night, in tears, begging to be let back in.

"Janet, I'm not falling for that whole playing hard to get act anymore."

I felt everything I said and did now was in vain.

It wasn't because Hazel took the opportunity I'd been dreaming of—it was Lucas's obvious, careless contempt.

All my hard work and perseverance were nothing but a means to him.