When I reached Georgia, I grabbed her wrist. My grip was unyielding.
"Your father beat your mother to death," I said, loud enough for the room. "I fought to get justice for her. I put him behind bars."
Georgia trembled, eyes darting.
"You said you didn't want to rot in the mountains. So I brought you to the city. Paid for high school. Sponsored you through university. Gave you a life."
I leaned closer. "You told me you'd spend this life repaying my kindness."
My gaze dropped to her rounded belly.
"This is your repayment? Climbing into my husband's bed and carrying his bastard?"
Whispers erupted.
"She's the student Mrs. Weston sponsored?"
"Slept with her mentor's husband? Got pregnant? That's lower than dirt."
"Her father killed her mother? And she does this to the woman who saved her?"
"Bad blood. Like father, like daughter."
I yanked Georgia's wrist, dragging her from hiding.
"No!" She broke free and crawled toward Victor. "Victor... help me..."
His humiliation boiled over.
"Get out!" he roared at the staff. "Whoever says another word is fired!"
The managers fled, eager to escape but desperate to spread the news.
When the door clicked shut, Victor slumped against the desk, rubbing his temples.