Her eyes reddened on cue, and the tears started falling.
Elmer looked like his heart was being ripped out. He leaned in close, his voice soft. "Don't cry, sweetheart. That's just how she is. I'll make her apologize right now."
Watching Elmer rush to Vivian's defense, the rest of the group chimed in one by one.
"Mrs. Weiss, Miss Mercer is just a young girl. How could you smear her reputation like that? You should apologize."
"Exactly. Everyone knows the university strictly prohibits relationships between faculty and students. If word got out, it could damage Professor Weiss's career too."
They piled on, one after another, as if I'd committed some unforgivable sin.
I looked at Elmer. Something cold flickered behind my eyes.
"You really want me to apologize to her?"
If I'd already gathered enough evidence, I would have slapped him across the face right then and there.
Cheating was one thing. But parading his mistress in front of me? Clearly my patience over the years had made him forget his place entirely.
Something in my tone must have registered, because Elmer's face darkened a shade.
"Sibyl, why do you always have to be so aggressive? You made a mistake. Is it really that hard to say sorry?"