Chapter 166
But she wasn’t sure. Wasn’t sure if Zachary really intended to be with her.
Even though she understood his feelings and had heard him say he liked her, that didn’t mean they could actually be together. After all, she was… a divorced woman.
This thought made her expression fall, the earlier warmth doused like flame under ice water.
Downstairs, Zachary had no idea about Sarah’s doubts. He only thought the almost–kiss had been too brief. As he drove away, even with the air conditioning on full blast, he still felt flushed.
Sarah barely slept that night and remained distracted at work the next day. Before hearing back from the Psychology Journal, she received some disturbing news.
Professor Wells called, his tone unusually serious. “Sarah, have you shown your paper to anyone else?”
Sarah found the question odd. After thinking, she replied, “No, Professor. I only sent it to the journal and you.”
Professor Wells was silent for a long while before sighing. “Sarah, I believe you, but check the university’s bulletin board.”
Confused, Sarah hung up and opened the university website. There was an announcement: “Congratulations to Professor Harrison on having her paper accepted for publication in the Academic Journal.”
She clicked the link and her face went pale. The paper was identical to hers, even the title hadn’t been changed.
Getting into the Academic Journal was highly prestigious, just one tier below the Psychology Journal, and crucially, had a faster review process.
While she was processing this, the Psychology Journal called to berate her, “Miss Sanders, the paper you submitted has already been published. Did you deliberately copy someone else’s work to get accepted? Worse yet, you plagiarized from your own colleague! Plagiarists are despicable, but stealing from your own institution is even worse!”
Sarah couldn’t defend herself. How could she explain that her own paper had somehow been published by someone else?
Who was Professor Harrison? She’d never even met her.
How had Professor Harrison gotten hold of her paper?
In the Psychology Department office, professors were gathered around a woman, offering congratulations.
Professor Harrison accepted a bouquet from the department head with a fake smile. As she was closing her door after they left, a hand stopped it. She looked up to see Saralı
“Miss Sanders? What brings you here? I don’t believe we’ve met. Or are you here to congratulate me?” Grace Harrison smiled, blocking the doorway.
Sarali stared at the flowers in her arms and her smug smile, finding it all sickening.
“Are you sure you want to
u sure you want to have this conversation where others might hear?” Sarah asked coldly.
Grace finally stepped aside to let her in, closing the door.
“Make it quick.”
“Did you write that paper yours Sarah asked directly.
Grace uncomfortably avoided her gaze. “If I didn’t write it, are you suggesting you did?”
“Do you know that stealing someone’s research is illegal?” Sarah’s brows furrowed.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Grace replied impatiently.
