A Joke That Went Too Far Chapter 06
The dean took Michael’s phone, scrolled through it, then compared it to what was on Tara’s phone. His expression darkened.
He turned to her sharply, his voice filled with undisguised disgust. “Tara. do you have anything to say for yourself?”
Her legs gave out, and she dropped to the floor. The phone fell to the ground, landing face-up.
On the screen was her chat with the print shop-filled with explicit photos of me.
Photos I had never taken.
“I never took those pictures. Did you use AI to fake them?”
She tried to shake her head in denial, but my father cut in coldly.
“Whether it’s AI or not, our technical team can verify it.”
The crowd lit up.
“She used a deepfake on her own friend. That is sick.”
“So that’s how the dean’s daughter acts? Impressive.”
Tara opened her mouth to spin one more time. “I-I didn’t mean…’
Before she could finish, the dorm supervisor rushed out with a basin of cold water and dumped it over
her head.
“I can testify!” she said sharply. “The one sneaking back late at night wasn’t Sophia-it was Tara. Drunk,
every time!”
Tara froze for a moment, water dripping from her hair.
Then she snapped.
She jumped to her feet and pointed at the supervisor, shouting, “You spineless little snake. You used to fawn over me, and now you’re turning on me? You’re helping her frame me?!”
The supervisor put her hands on her hips and spat. “Frame you? We’ve got surveillance footage!
“I was blind before, letting you bully people just because you’re the dean’s daughter. You think you can push everyone around forever?”
Someone in the crowd sneered, “Serves her right. Always acting so high and mighty.”
“Good. People like her should be thrown out of the school.”
Tara’s face twisted with anger. Seeing no one step forward to help her, she rolled her eyes back and
collapsed, pretending to faint.
No one moved.
Even Cassidy and Holly were trying to disappear into the wall.
That was when Connor seem to realize what was happening. He forced a smile and came over to me.
“Sophia. I was wrong. Tara fooled me too. Don’t hold this against me.
“If she hadn’t used the deepfake, if it hadn’t been so realistic, do you really think I would’ve believed it? I still love you. Let’s get back together. Please.”
I let out a cold laugh and slapped him.
“That’s what you owed me.
“Now get lost. Who do you think you are?”
He tried to step closer again, but my father blocked him.
“Slander. Fabricating obscene rumors. Illegal distribution of someone’s image.
“Our company has already filed a police report.”
The dean’s expression changed instantly. He rushed forward.
“Mr. Shaw, please. We’ve known each other for years. Please don’t involve the police.
“If you do… the school won’t survive this.”
My father let out a cold snort. “You’re willing to protect a student like her just to save your reputation?”
The dean spun and grabbed for my hand. “Of course not. Sophia. I will not protect Tara. Trust me.
“And those flyers. Every flyer on this campus, gone. Within the hour. I will personally see to it.
“As for Tara, she will be expelled immediately.
“Please… talk to your father. Stay at the school. We can’t afford to lose a student like you.”
The moment she heard the word ‘expelled,’ Tara’s eyes snapped open.
She crawled forward and grabbed the dean’s leg, crying.
“Sir, I’ve already admitted I was wrong! You can’t expel me!
“Isn’t a school supposed to teach? Students make mistakes-you’re supposed to give them a chance!”
The dean kicked her hand away, his voice cold.
“Your character is not something this school can fix.”
