Chapter 6 - DR. VANCE"The committee," Dr. Alistair Sterling announced over the dying cheers of the auditorium, his voice thick with emotion, "has deliberated. In fact, our deliberation took approximately thirty seconds."
Selena stood at the podium, her hands resting lightly on the polished wood.
"Not only is this dissertation unanimously approved," Sterling continued, his eyes shining with profound respect, "but we are recommending it for the university’s highest academic distinction and immediate publication. Furthermore, Dr. Vance... the history department would be deeply honored if you would accept our offer of a tenure-track professorship starting this fall."
Selena felt the room spin—not with vertigo, but with pure, unadulterated triumph.
"Thank you, Dr. Sterling," she whispered, her voice cracking slightly. "I accept."
"And now," Sterling added with a sharp, wicked smile, glancing down at Hunter and Barbara cowering near the back, "I believe we have some unfinished business regarding campus security and local law enforcement."
Before the campus police—who had been quietly summoned by Richard’s security team—could escort Hunter and Barbara out in handcuffs, Richard stepped forward down the center aisle. He stopped at the foot of the stage and looked up at his daughter.
Selena walked down the steps, her navy-blue suit catching the light, her jagged hair swaying with every powerful stride.
When she reached the bottom, her father didn't offer a polite handshake. The proud, unyielding billionaire opened his arms wide, and Selena fell into them, burying her face against his shoulder as the heavy tears she had held back all night finally broke free.
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"I told you so, sweetheart," Richard murmured into her hair, his own eyes suspiciously bright. "I told you that you were a lioness surrounded by jackals. I'm sorry I wasn't there sooner."
"You're right on time, Dad," Selena whispered back.
