“I feel that it is in my client’s best interest to have Ms. Sellars present during questioning. As well as a few key character witnesses,” Melissa responded as she took her seat. “Dr. Hammond has made it clear that she did indeed have a sexual relationship with this woman AFTER she had completed her semester as her instructor. You both have a written statement in the folders that I gave to you at the beginning of this meeting.” Melissa paused as both lawyers opened the folders and flipped through their contents. “You will also find statements from fifteen other faculty members that Ms. Sellars had relations with during her time at the university.”

A shocked expression washed over Jessica’s face as she sat silently glaring in their direction. The two university attorneys quickly glanced through the pages before looking at the women across from them. “These witnesses are here today?” the woman asked Melissa.

“Yes.”

After a short conference of whispers, she spoke again. “Excuse us for a moment,” the two of them stood and left the room carrying the folders. When the door closed behind them, Jessica quickly recovered from her shock and released her venom.

“You fucking bitches! You think they’re gonna believe some stupid faculty members over the daughter of their biggest financial contributor? You really have no clue how things work around here do you?” she asked leaning back with a viscous smile on her face and crossing her arms in front of her chest. “All I have to do is play the innocent little victim and your career is over.”

“I think you’re the one that has no clue,” Cecilia said leaning over the table and smiling at Jessica with just as much hostility. “Do you honestly think I would let a little tramp like you ruin me by spreading lies?” Jessica was playing right into their trap as she continued the, unbeknownst to her, confession.

“Lies?” she asked laughing slightly. “You and I are the only ones that know who’s lying. Fortunately for me, I’ve become quite good at it over the years.” Her face became a picture of smugness as she looked back and forth between Melissa and Cecilia. “Maybe you wouldn’t be going through this if you would have let me fuck you that night.” As she finished, the door swung open and the two lawyers returned followed by Marina and the fifteen faculty members that had been willing to attend the day’s events. Jessica remained calm until she saw her parents finish out the parade of people. Her mouth dropped open as her father stood staring at her with disappointment strongly evident in his eyes.