When fate plays its hand
hand 637

Chapter 0637

Joseph let out a cold laugh. “How do you think this ends? Here, see for yourself!”

He grabbed a document off his desk and threw it in Sophie’s face.

Sophie picked it up, and her face turned paler with each line she read. There were words regarding disciplinary action… project funding slashed by half disqualified from applying for next year’s national research projects.

Each line felt like a mountain weighing down on her. By the end, Sophie nearly staggered out of the office, hunched under the weight.

Joseph wasn’t faring much better. Though he’d tried to pin all the blame on Sophie during his conversation with the administration, they still reprimanded him for poor management and negligence. They even issued a formal warning that would remain in effect for six months.

As soon as the news reached the college, the dean and the secretary called him in for a talk. While they softened their words, their stance was firm.

They hinted at asking him to take a break for recuperation“, though it was clear he’d been sidelined. By the time his “recuperation” period ended, his influence would likely be completely gone.

Joseph slammed his fist on his desk. If he’d known Sophie would be so reckless, he wouldn’t have associated himself with her at all. Now everything was ruined!

“Aunt Sophie! What did Mr. Banks say? Miranda’s situation won’t affect us, will it?”

Yasmine had been waiting in Sophie’s office and rushed over the moment she returned. Sophie’s hand immediately landed hard across her face with a smack.

“A–Aunt Sophie?” Yasmine was stunned.

“You were the one who tipped off the major media outlets yesterday, weren’t you?”

Yasmine gulped nervously as her eyes darted away. “Aunt Sophie, I’m sorry–I didn’t mean any harm. Mr. Banks said the bigger the incident, the better. So I decided to message two media outlets just to test it out. I–I didn’t expect…”

“Two?” Sophie’s expression hardened. “Are you sure?

“I swear! Only two! I only messaged two news outlets, but somehow, all those others showed up…”

“So, Miranda had this planned all along. She dug a pit, and we walked right into it.”

“You mean… Miranda set this up?”

“If you’re not lying and you only contacted two outlets, but over a dozen turned up, what else could it be but a trap??

Yasmine raised her hand. “I swear, I’m telling the truth only called two!”

Sophie sneered. They’d spent all this time hunting others, only to have the prey turned on them. It was truly well played on Miranda and Christine’s part.

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Chapter 0637

“Aunt Sophie…” Yasmine asked while biting her lip anxiously. “The administration won’t hold us responsible, will they?”

Sophie let out a bitter laugh while casting her a cold glance. “From the moment I walked in, all about was whether you’d be punished. Fine, let me ease your mind. You’ve been expelled!”

“What–no!” Yasmine’s eyes widened. Her face went deathly pale, and she nearly fainted.

Upon seeing her reaction, Sophie’s anger finally eased a bit. “Just kidding.”

Yasmine blinked in horror.

“See for yourself.” Sophie shoved the document at her

you

cared

Yasmine read through it and exhaled in relief; it only mentioned Sophie’s disciplinary action, with no mention of herself.

“You think that just because I’m the only one punished, you’re safe?” Sophie hissed, as if she was reading her thoughts. “If I go down, you’re going down with me!”

“Aunt Sophie, how could I think that way? I’m terrified for you! I can’t even begin to tell you how scared I am!” Yasmine stammered. “We’re in this together. Of course, I want you to be okay.”

Chapter 0648