She dug her long, crimson-painted nails into my scalp and barked, “Apologize! Now! You’re nothing but a troublemaker. I don’t expect you to bring any honor to the institute, just don’t do anything foolish and that will be enough!”
I couldn’t stand their nonsense any longer and snapped, “Bulwark Group evaluates investments based on the strength of a research institute’s talent, not on contributions measured by singing and dancing.”
Professor Laird, livid, shoved me so hard I stumbled and fell to the floor. “Asshole! You dare talk back to me? Today it’s a rat you poison, tomorrow it’ll be your colleagues! How can I allow someone as radical and unstable as you to remain here, endangering the institute? I’ll report you to the dean!”
The three of them were clearly in cahoots and I shouted back, “Do you even hear yourself? You’re twisting right and wrong!”
Professor Laird’s face darkened, her voice dropping into a growl. “You refuse to see your mistakes. Then you’ll pay for them.”
At her slight nod, Xaviera lunged forward, yanking my hair and slapping me hard across the face. “You killed Sissy and you dared to destroy her memorial? Today, you’ll pay your respects in mourning clothes!”