Chapter 125 Caught by Her Own Words
The recording began to play.
Xiomara’s voice filled the room, sharp, arrogant, and cruel.
"Your husband is just a hired hand. A shadow. He follows Wesley around like a trained dog."
The words hung in the air.
Veyra stood still, her phone in her hand. The recording continued.
"You don’t belong here. You never did. You’re just a tag-along. A plus-one. The only reason you’re still standing is because you spread your legs for the right person."
Professor Sterling’s face went pale.
He looked at Xiomara. His voice was quiet. "Is that your voice?"
Xiomara’s eyes darted around the room. Her face was white. Her hands were shaking.
"No," she said. Her voice was high. "No, that’s not me. She faked it with AI. It’s AI-generated. She’s trying to set me up."
Professor Sterling’s jaw tightened.
Xiomara grabbed his arm. "Professor, you have to believe me. She’s lying. She’s always been jealous. She’s always tried to destroy me."
Professor Sterling pulled his arm away.
He looked at Veyra. His voice was cold. "You used despicable methods."
Veyra’s voice was flat. "I recorded the truth."
"You manipulated it."
"I recorded exactly what she said. Word for word."
Xiomara’s voice rose. "She’s lying! She’s always lying!"
Veyra held up the phone. Her thumb moved across the screen.
"Listen to the rest," she said.
The recording continued.
Xiomara’s voice was clear. "You think you’re so special? You’re nothing. You’ve always been nothing. And your husband is just Wesley’s errand boy."
Professor Sterling’s face was pale. His hands were shaking.
The recording ended.
Veyra looked at him. "Does that sound like AI to you?"
Professor Sterling said nothing.
Xiomara’s face was red. Her voice was shrill. "She provoked me! She wanted me to say those things. She trapped me."
Veyra shook her head. "I didn’t trap you. I just let you talk."
Professor Sterling looked at Xiomara.
His eyes were cold.
"Xiomara," he said. "Did you say those things?"
Xiomara’s mouth opened, closed and opened once again.
"Professor, I—"
"Did you?"
She looked at the floor and her shoulders slumped.
"Yes," she whispered.
Professor Sterling’s face hardened.
He had seen through her true colors. The lies. The manipulation. The way she had used him to fight her battles.
His gaze was cold. Angry.
Xiomara’s face went white.
She reached for his arm. "Professor—"
He pulled away.
"Professor, please—"
He did not speak.
Xiomara’s hands were shaking and her eyes were wet.
Wesley leaned back in his chair. His eyes were on Veyra.
He was impressed. She had handled the situation with calm precision. She had not lost her temper. She had not begged. She had simply presented the facts.
She was decisive. She was prepared. She did not back down and he fucking admired that.
Dorian’s eyes were on Veyra.
She had defended him. She had recorded Xiomara. She had exposed her in front of everyone.
He was not used to being defended. He was not used to anyone standing up for him.
Something warm settled in his chest. It was unfamiliar and uncomfortable. He did not know what to do with it.
He looked at her. Her face was calm. Her hands were steady.
She had done this for him.
He felt at a loss.
Wesley noticed the change in Dorian’s expression.
The way his eyes softened. The way his jaw relaxed.
Wesley felt a pang of envy. A flicker of jealousy.
He looked at Veyra. She was standing there, calm and composed, her phone still in her hand.
He thought about what it would be like to have someone like her. Someone who defended him. Someone who recorded his enemies. Someone who stood by him no matter what.
He shook his head.
It was an idle thought and nothing more.
Across the room, Caspian was still standing.
His face was pale. His hands were shaking.
He had just heard everything. Xiomara’s insults. Veyra’s defense. The way Veyra had stood up for Dorian.
He thought about the way Veyra had looked at him. The way she had laughed when he said she still loved him.
She had not been jealous. She had not been trying to make him jealous.
She had been protecting her husband.
His chest tightened.
She had been having an affair. He was sure of it. She had been with Dorian while they were still married.
His hands curled into fists.
He would not let this go.
Professor Sterling stood in the doorway.
His eyes were on Xiomara, xold and disappointed.
He had believed her. He had defended her. He had humiliated himself in front of Wesley Wynn.
And all of it had been a lie.
Xiomara’s face was white. Her hands were shaking. Her eyes were wet.
"Professor," she said. Her voice was small. "Please."
He did not speak.
He turned and wanted to walk out of the room.
Xiomara stood there and her chest was tight. Her breathing was shallow.
She had lost everything and she completely panicked.