Chapter 71 Falsely Accused
Knock knock knock.
(Lucky Draw
The sharp sound of knocking was followed by the door swinging open. Mrs. Wheeler stepped inside.
“Mom? Weren’t you out shopping? What brought you back so soon?”
Melody hurried over, linking her arm through her mother’s. Her tone was sweet and obedient. The sight of her gentle daughter softened Mrs. Wheeler’s mood instantly.
Even after all these years, whenever she thought of how much suffering Melody had endured in her younger days, her heart clenched with pain. It only made her more determined to protect her now.
“What’s a shopping trip compared to my daughter’s happiness?”
She pulled Melody down to sit beside her on the bed and asked seriously, “How are things between you and Chandler lately? Has he mentioned marriage?”
Melody’s face turned bashful, but after a second, her brows drew together slightly. “I’ve always known how Chandler feels, but you know his situation, Mom. With his position… if Ginny refuses to divorce, he can’t exactly push too hard.”
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(**) Lucky Draw
“That’s unacceptable,” her mother snapped, instantly displeased.
If Ginny kept dragging her feet, did that mean her daughter and grandchild would forever remain outsiders–mistress and illegitimate child?
She couldn’t bear to see her daughter wronged like that. And the Wheeler family would never allow it either.
She held in the rest of her frustration, then added, “Don’t worry about any of that. Your father, your three brothers, and I will handle it. You just focus on being a bride. Leave the rest to us.”
Melody nodded sweetly, obedient as always.
They chatted a while longer about the baby. Then, as if suddenly remembering something, Mrs. Wheeler added, “Look at me, going on and on about raising a child and forgetting the big news -Chandler’s grandpa’s birthday is coming up.
“Sweetheart, our whole family will be attending. You should really put some thought into what you’re gifting him. This is your chance to make a better impression.
“If he takes a liking to you, we’ll all feel a lot more at ease when you marry into the family.”
After her mother left, a plan began forming in Melody’s mind.
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(***) Lucky Draw
The next morning, Ginny arrived at the lab feeling refreshed and ready.
When she’d spoken with Professor Edward, he had explained that, aside from Wendy, the rest of the team were all students from his overseas lab.
Her peers–those accepted at the same time–were still abroad.
That meant she was new here, a stranger to the group. She’d have to reintroduce herself and start from scratch.
Still, Ginny was never one to shy away from people.
As soon as she stepped into the lab, she greeted everyone warmly, even preparing a short self–introduction in her head.
But no one even looked up at her.
Each person stayed buried in their work, eyes on screens or lab equipment.
A flash of awkwardness passed over her face, but she quickly brushed it aside. Maybe it’s just a busy morning, she thought. At least it means everyone here is serious about their work.
At lunch, she carried her tray to where the group was seated, hoping to eat with them.
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(5) Lucky Drow
But just as she sat down, one by one, they all got up and left.
Earlier, she could excuse the cold shoulders as busyness. But
now?
Before she approached, they were laughing and talking, clearly in good spirits. So why did they all leave the moment she joined them?
Ginny wasn’t new to workplace politics. She understood perfectly well what was happening.
Still, she was confused. This was her first day. She hadn’t crossed anyone.
Could it be Wendy?
She immediately dismissed the thought. Wendy wasn’t the most pleasant person, but she had no reason to turn the others against her like this.
Fine. If no one would eat with her, she’d eat alone.
If no one wanted to work with her on experiments, she’d work harder on her own.
People revealed themselves in time. She believed that. Eventually, they’d see who she really was.
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(Lucky Draw
A week passed like this.
During the Monday morning briefing, everyone reported their lab progress from the past week.
After Ginny finished presenting her data, Lisa Harton, who sat directly across from her, abruptly stood up, her expression
tense.
“Professor,” she said sharply, “the data Ginny just presented-
it’s mine.”
Stunned, Ginny immediately pushed back. “I ran those tests myself, stayed late all week to finish them. If anyone doubts it, you can check the lab’s security footage.”
She hadn’t rested more than ten hours the entire week.
As the most recent addition to the lab, and one without a research partner, she’d had to push herself twice as hard just to meet expectations.
She never complained–not once. She loved this work. But she never imagined Lisa would lie so blatantly.
What she also hadn’t expected was for the rest of the team to side with Lisa, throwing their weight behind the accusation.
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Lucky Draw
Just as Ginny tried to defend herself again, another girl, Jessica Quentin, stood up beside Lisa.
“Yesterday,” she said calmly, “I saw Ginny sneaking into the professor’s office. She was typing something on his computer.”
“I was too far away to see what it was, but…”
As soon as she said it, everyone’s eyes turned toward Ginny again.
“Ginny, did you tamper with the professor’s data?” one of them demanded. “No wonder the system was glitching this morning!”
“I’ve said it from the start,” another chimed in. “Someone with her kind of reputation shouldn’t have been let into this lab in the first place. She’s been here a week–hasn’t helped anyone, and now she’s causing trouble too?”
B
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