CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED AND NINE – THE CONFESSION

"You pieced enough of it together to tip the disciplinary committee, albeit unwittingly," Dr. Fletcher said, confirming her fears. "Once the extent of fraud in Eleanor's work was uncovered, the College had no recourse but to expel her - nullifying every academic achievement she'd accomplished." "Oh my god..." Kayla's hands flew to her mouth in horror. "I had no idea... I must have blundered onto her cheating without realizing what exposing it would cost Eleanor." "And cost her, it did - everything," the professor continued heavily. "Her prestigious internship offers. Her path to a doctorate program. Any remaining shreds of academic integrity or professional credibility, burnt to ashes due to your inadvertent whistleblowing." Numb shock settled over Kayla as she absorbed the grave implications. All this time, she had been the unsuspecting instigator that derailed Eleanor's future through her naive sense of ethics. "She's been unraveling for years," Dr. Fletcher said solemnly. "Desce