The Conspiracy We Wove

My name is Liliana Harrison. Three years ago, I was a somewhat renowned analyst in the financial circles. A sudden accusation of "commercial espionage" plunged me into an abyss. With no evidence and no opportunity for defense, I was entirely erased from the industry, cast out of the circle I had struggled so hard to join. To escape the rumors and slander, I took what little savings I had left and came to this small southern town. Here, I concealed my identity and became a mathematics teacher at a secondary school. Each day, interacting with the children, grading assignments, preparing lessons—the routine was as lifeless as still water. I believed this existence would go on forever, until I had completely forgotten my past. Until that teaching seminar organized by the Education Bureau. On the day of the meeting, I arrived at the venue ten minutes early and took a seat in a corner. Just as I took out my notebook, a commotion came from the doorway. A crowd clustered around a man in a suit as he entered, his figure so familiar it made my heart skip a beat. It was Jacob Leonard. My ex-husband. Three years without seeing him, he was more composed than ever, radiating the aura of a successful man—undoubtedly a titan of the business world now. His gaze swept across the room and paused for several seconds the moment it landed on me. I immediately lowered my head, pretending to organize my notes, though my fingertips trembled uncontrollably. The meeting was halfway through; it was now recess. I stood up intending to head to the restroom, but just as I reached the corridor's corner, someone stopped me. It was Jacob Leonard. "Liliana Harrison." He spoke my name in a low voice, laced with a complexity I couldn't quite read. I lifted my head, forcing a calm expression. "Mr. Leonard, do you need something?" I deliberately addressed him as "Mr. Leonard," deliberately creating distance between us. He held my gaze. "Have you been well, these past three years?" "Quite well," I sneered, "Much steadier than when I was in the financial circles." His eyes darkened. "About what happened back then, I..." "What happened back then is over," I cut him off, my tone icy. "Mr. Leonard, you should mind your own affairs. We've had no relation for a long time." With that, I stepped around him and walked straight to the restroom. The reflection in the mirror showed me pale-faced, my eyes full of hatred. I will never forget how, when I was accused, he stood by coldly, not uttering a single word in my defense. As I stepped out of the restroom and reached the entrance of the venue, I saw a woman in an exquisite gown linking arms with Jacob Leonard. Her makeup was meticulously done, and the look she gave me was unmistakably provocative. "Jacob, is this the Ms. Harrison you mentioned earlier?" She asked with a smile, though her voice brimmed with arrogance. Jacob said nothing, just cast me a brief glance. The woman extended her hand first. "Hello, I'm Sara Burke, Jacob Leonard's fiancée." I did not take her hand, only nodded. "Liliana Harrison." Sara Burke withdrew her hand, the smile on her face unwavering. "I heard Ms. Harrison used to be involved in the financial circles? Such a pity. But now, being a teacher suits you well—it's stable." I said nothing, unwilling to engage with her. She seemed unaffected by my coldness and went on, "By the way, Jacob's study still has a photo there. I thought it resembled Ms. Harrison, but Jacob said they were just ordinary friends. Perhaps I was mistaken." Her words felt like a needle, piercing straight into my heart. I forced down the emotions within me. "Ms. Burke, I have matters to attend to. I must be going." After speaking, I turned and walked into the conference room, never once looking back.