Chapter 676: Secrets, Smoke, and Leverage

Yunice gave a cold laugh. "So much for maternal love. Lily only ever cared about one child—Elsie. She defended Owen only because he could make money and support the family. That was all he was worth. Fifteen years of emotional neglect had already erased any real bond Lily had with the Saunders family, and Owen knew it. That's why he hadn't dared tell her he had liver cancer or needed a transplant, because deep down, he knew Lily might not be willing to donate."

Yunice glanced at her class schedule. No lectures this afternoon or tomorrow morning. "I'm heading back to Silverburgh. Kinda feel like going home."

Wyatt said simply, "Alright."

Yunice stood, picking up the jacket from her lap. Wyatt naturally took it from her. As they walked out of the office, Wyatt reached for the cigarette in her hand—aware they were still on campus and students were everywhere. It wouldn't be good for her image.

But Yunice pulled her hand back and looked at him sideways. "I didn't bring any burn ointment for you."

Just then, footsteps approached from behind. A flicker of caution crossed Yunice's eyes, and without missing a beat, she slipped the cigarette into Wyatt's fingers. She turned around calmly, even tucking her long hair behind her ear. Then she paused, pretending to be surprised. "Tommy?"

Her gaze lowered—Tommy was holding a cardboard box in his arms.

Tommy looked sheepish. "I… I quit."

Tommy's advisor position had been steady. Why would he suddenly resign? Was it because of that incident with Wendy?

Yunice's expression darkened. "Didn't that get resolved? You weren't even in the wrong! How could they fire you?"

Tommy gave a wry smile. "They didn't fire me… it's just the atmosphere in the office…"

Even though the other teachers knew Tommy was innocent, he had offended the vice principal. No one dared get too close. Feeling isolated, he chose to resign.

Yunice's brows furrowed deeper. It had always been clear Wendy was coming after her, not Tommy. She’d thought she had wrapped things up cleanly, but clearly, she’d underestimated how far office politics could reach.

Wyatt pulled a card from his wallet. "Contact this person. They'll help arrange something."

Tommy looked stunned. "That's… too much. I can't trouble you both…"

Wyatt said, "It's just an interview. Whether you get the job is up to you."

Tommy paused, then caught up quickly. "Thank you. Really." He hesitated, then looked at Yunice. "Yunice… before I go, can I speak with you in private?"

Wyatt’s gaze narrowed dangerously, but he didn’t stop her as she walked off with Tommy. Left standing alone, Wyatt stared at their backs. He bit down on the cigarette Yunice had been smoking. Too bad—there was barely anything left of it now.

Tommy leaned in, speaking softly. "Yunice, there's something I've been holding in for a long time. I never told you."

Yunice heard the vague wording and immediately tensed. What was this? Wyatt was right over there—did Tommy have a death wish?

Tommy’s face flushed. He looked like he’d been building up the courage for ages. Yunice eyed his fingers nervously digging holes in his cardboard box. The tension in her chest tightened. Was he about to confess?

She had always sensed Tommy's awkward attentiveness. He wasn't subtle. Everything he did was transparent. She'd always worried he might one day blurt out some delusional romantic nonsense.

Better to shut it down fast. "Tommy, I—"

"Yunice," he cut in, "when I was volunteering in the hospital wing… I saw you give Owen an injection."

Yunice froze.

Tommy continued, voice low, "I was checking the monitors. You probably thought I couldn't see anything, but… there was a glare on the lens. I saw what you injected him with… it wasn't approved, and there's no medical record…"

The words hit like a club to the back of her skull. That was over six months ago. And he was only bringing it up now? Had he been holding this card all along?

Yunice recovered quickly, adjusting her expression. "Really? I don't remember that. Maybe you're under too much stress. Could be a hallucination."

"I…" Tommy hadn't expected her to flat-out deny it. "I really did see it, Yunice. I'm not trying to blackmail you."

Maybe not. He hadn't reported it then, but bringing it up now—was he trying to win her gratitude? Too bad Yunice didn't play by those rules. She wasn't the honest, guilt-ridden type.

She stared him down. "Do you have proof?"