Chapter 3

I didn't back down an inch, looking up at him and saying coldly.

"Oh? How interesting. So, Summer isn't an adult?"

"I recall she's a senior, but she does look quite underage."

"Didn't realize you liked that type. Must be thrilling to mess around, perfectly legal and all..."

Lucas's pupils contracted.

He raised his hand and harshly slapped me, cutting off my unfinished words.

My head snapped to the side, and the taste of blood immediately filled my mouth.

"Ava!"

Even though he was the one who hit me, his cry sounded incredibly heartbroken and pained.

Lucas's face was full of remorse.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to, but you shouldn't say such things to a student!"

I laughed.

Without another word, smack, I slapped him back.

"Lucas Thomas," I said coldly, "she's your student, not mine."

"To me, she's a homewrecker who interfered in my marriage, a thief who stole my father's heirloom. Got a problem with that?"

Lucas's face instantly changed, his eyes sharp as razors.

"I'm saying it again, Summer is not a mistress!"

"Ava Reed, where's your trust in me? Why have you become so disgusting!"

A lump caught in my throat; I was about to tell him to get lost.

But then the front door opened.

Summer poked her head in, saying playfully.

"Instructor, please don't fight with Ava because of me anymore. I came to apologize."

She bowed gracefully towards me.

"It was raining heavily before, and I came to Instructor's house to change clothes. I thought that bracelet wasn't worth anything, so I just took it casually."

"Ava, please don't blame him. He didn't give it to me; I apologize to you."

Lucas's gaze softened, and he stroked her head.

"It's not your fault, Summer. I didn't make things clear."

Watching this scene unfold before me.

My face turned green, and I felt on the verge of throwing up.

Taking something without permission is theft.

How dare Lucas forgive her on my behalf?

He roughly pushed me aside and spoke gently to Summer.

"I'll handle my own family matters, Summer. You've already apologized; don't get involved."

"I'll take you back."

Watching his car speed away, I trembled with rage.

Just then, my phone chimed with a text from Brooke.

"Sis, did you go see Summer yesterday?"

"Everyone on the campus gossip site is trashing you right now!"

I opened the two screenshots she sent, and in an instant, my blood ran cold.

"BIG SCANDAL! Dr. Reed, Associate Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery at a prestigious hospital, bullying innocent female student! Word is, this woman is notorious for being harsh on interns; future junior doctors, good luck to you! Is that old hag just jealous of a young, pretty girl? Can't keep her own man, so she takes it out on students?"

The text was highly inflammatory.

In just a few words, it painted me as a psychologically disturbed, menopausal old woman.

Brooke's call came immediately.

"Did you see it? That little bitch Summer must be behind this!"

"I know," I interrupted her, my voice unnaturally calm.

"Brooke, do me a favor. Trace the IP addresses of the posters and dig up all the dirt on Summer Hayes for me."

It was just a public opinion war.

When I was pulling these kinds of tricks, Summer wasn't even in elementary school yet!