D

It was a matter of time before she realized what she's done.

The dreaded note that lay in her hand right now completely strips her from her pride, her being a licensed computer engineer, her being a college professor, her being a faculty head, her being a mother..

Her being what she is now.

"Lucie.." she breathed, her eyes now bloodshot. She stared at the note, limbs trembling.

It wasn't long before a teacher's assistant noticed her uncomfortable state, "M-Miss Watkins?" Alice moved closer to the sobbing professor.

"Alice," the woman sobbed. "I'm fine, please." Her voice was shaky and quiet. Alice almost couldn't hear her because of the AC.

Just when she was about to ask if the teacher was alright, a familiar presence barged in the faculty doors, "Alice!" a demanding voice chirped.

"Yes, Chloe?" She had no choice but to attend to the girl's needs. Alice would like to point out that students aren't allowed in the faculty but knowing Chloe's father as an asset in this university, she's willing to make an exception or her scholarship is gone in a snap of Chloe's fingers.

"My friend and I would like to log in the teacher's portal. Can you do that?" Chloe had this serious aura that could make anyone back off. As for her friend, the ombre-haired girl smiled at her so innocently. The polar opposite.

The teacher's portal is restricted to all students, including us, the teacher's assistants. It's basically a major offense for every student, even for the daughter of the CEO. "No.. Sorry, Chloe. We're not authorized to do that. Maybe if the secretary arrives, she'll help you."

"Ah. Well, is Ms. Watkins around?"

Alice ushered them through the empty teachers' desks, "She should be right.. here-" She gasped at the empty desk that's labeled "Barbara Watkins". No one left the faculty door while they were talking!

Chloe scanned the room.

No Ms. Barbara Watkins.

An open window.

And a bloody red note on the desk that says:

"D?
YOU'LL PAY FOR THIS
WATKINS."