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Rumors spread it was Leo Watts and me,rising scientist Sophia Lane.
Netizens were shocked—Leo,a notorious playboy,with a PhD?
Fueled by instigators,online mobs targeted me.
"Sophia Lane,leave the States!""Sophia's a fraud!"trended.
Some camped outside my lab,waving protest banners.
Days later,as the hate peaked,I issued a statement via the university's official account.
I explained Jenna and Leo had conspired to drug me and steal my patents.
By mistake,Jenna drank the spiked wine,and Leo,seizing the chance,stole data and slept with her.
I stressed that all evidence was with the police,trusting justice would prevail.
The tide turned.
Leo and Jenna were arrested,facing legal consequences.
During the investigation,police said Jenna desperately wanted to see me.
I refused.
I had my own colourful life to live—trash in the shadows didn't deserve my glance.
The day they were sentenced,my lab,partnered with a top firm,launched.
Our female investor betted on me,and I delivered what I had promised,making the lab a thriving hub.
We hired 90% of the grad students were femaled,and we offered them high pay and the best research invironment.Years later,it became the industry's top-performing,best-reputed lab.
One day,my students invited me to a barbecue.Afterward,I ran into Jenna.
At the smoky BBQ joint's entrance,she bowed to my students,"Ladies,done with this bottle?"
Grabbing their empties,she stuffed them quickly into a grimy sack.
But others scavenged too.She soon got into a fight with others over a crate of bottles."Let go!Wait till my husband comes!"
"Your husband?Just another tramp!"the man mocked.
"Lies!My husband's a GM!I'll have him arrest you!"Jenna boasted.
The owner,fed up,came over."Crazy hag,stop coming here,always causing chaos.Here's two bucks—scram!"
To us,he apologized,"She's an ex-con,lost her mind in jail.Always rants, ‘My husband's a GM'or‘I'm a grad student.'"
"Be careful—she lives by the dump,might snap anytime."
I thanked him and left,striding opposite Jenna's path.
Sister—
When you dragged me into the sea,did you imagine that this is how things would end?
Past and present,you wanted to rely on Uncle's wealth,Aunt's protection,men's love...
Even mad,you cling to the scum who used and dumped you.
Those who never learn to rely on themselves are doomed.
Two years later,I was named one of Times magazine's"Decade's Most Outstanding Figures."
In the interview,the reporter asked,"Professor Lane,any advice for young women starting school or their careers?"
I faced the camera,seeing my confused 15-year-old self,Jenna,and Aunt Emma's pained 35-year-old shadow.
"Not just young women,but all women,wherever you stand—never stop learning,never stop advancing!"
"Let no one define you.You define it yourself.You write your own future."
"Just work hard,and let the world see your shine."